CIP Update

May 22, 2009

This newsletter is for public agencies, businesses, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders involved or interested in public-private partnerships for joint emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.

 

Michigan State University (MSU) produces the newsletter through the Critical Incident Protocol (CIP)-Community Facilitation Program under a grant awarded by the Training & Exercise Integration/Training Operations, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This newsletter provides ideas, suggestions, best practices, and lessons learned to establish critical incident protocols using public-private partnerships.

 

Michigan State University through the CIP Program will “enhance cities, counties, and region’s capabilities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from man-made and natural disasters through public and private sector collaboration, communication, and cooperation.”  MSU facilitates public-private partnerships and the CIP Program is free of charge to participating communities.

 

Please visit our website at www.cip.msu.edu for more information about the program.

 

Participating Communities in the CIP Program
The CIP Program has been initiated in 46 communities in 24 states with over 3,800 participants establishing community public-private partnerships for joint management of critical incidents. We are looking to work with other cities, counties and regions. Is there a location in the nation that you think may be interested in developing a public-private partnership? If so, please let us know.

 

Currently, we are working with the following communities:
Alabama:  Hoover
Arizona:  Casa Grande
California:  Mountain View
Colorado:  Littleton
Connecticut:  Norwalk

Florida:  Western Panhandle
Illinois:  Lake-Cook Regional, Libertyville, Naperville
Indiana:  Evansville
Kansas:  Douglas County
Maryland:  Annapolis, Carroll County, Rockville
Michigan:  Detroit, Marquette County, Monroe, Oakland County
Missouri/Illinois:  Gateway Citizen Corps Coalition, St. Louis
Montana:  Lewis & Clark County
Nevada:  Clark County, Northern Nevada
North Carolina:  Buncombe County, Greensboro
Ohio:  Brooklyn
Pennsylvania:  Allentown, Bethlehem, Northampton County, Perkiomen Valley

South Carolina:  Columbia, Horry County
Texas:  Dallas
Utah:  Layton, Sandy City
Virginia:  Arlington County, Richmond
Washington:  Redmond

West Virginia:  Beckley/Raleigh County
Wisconsin:  Brown County, Dane County, Eau Claire County, Milwaukee, Outagamie County, Racine County, Superior, Winnebago County


Status of CIP Program

On March 17, 2009, we notified the readers of the CIP Update newsletter and other stakeholders that the CIP Program will not receive continuation funding; therefore, the program and staff will be terminated around August 2009.  In the meantime, we will continue to provide program services and if anything changes, we will notify you.

 

We encourage you who have participated in the CIP Program or are familiar with it to contact your legislators indicating your support in continuing funding for the program.  Thank you.

 

CIP Program Calendar

May 28, 2009 – Schaumburg, IL (On 9/11, Drill Down for Safety Campaign – Safe America Foundation)

June 3, 2009 – Detroit, MI (Facilitating Tabletop Exercise)

June 18, 2009 – Reno, NV (Facilitating Tabletop Exercise)

June 23, 2009 – Naperville, IL (Facilitating Tabletop Exercise)

July 29, 2009 – Pensacola, FL (Facilitating Tabletop Exercise)

August 18, 2009 – Dearborn, MI (Initiating the CIP Partnership Program)

 

Welcome Beckley/Raleigh County, West Virginia – Number 46 in the CIP Program!

Please join us in welcoming the city of Beckley and Raleigh County, West Virginia in joining the other 45 communities and regions in the CIP partnership.  This beautiful area in the mountains of southwest West Virginia has a long-standing tradition of joint collaboration. 

 

During the program, there were 54 public and private community leaders and stakeholders working together on assessing risks, formulating joint public-private response using Unified Command/Incident Command System, and identifying opportunities and resources to partner.  They discussed various aspects of preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the impact of man-made and natural critical incidents.  The program was co-sponsored and led by the City of Beckley (particularly, the fire department), Raleigh County, Southern West Virginia Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce.  Opening remarks were made by representatives from the co-sponsors, including Beckley Mayor Emmett Pugh, who explained the importance of agencies, businesses, non-profit organizations, and the community pulling together.

 

Reminder: On 9/11, Drill Down For Safety Campaign

Join agencies, businesses, non-profit organizations, and citizens in demonstrating emergency preparedness by participating in the On 9/11, Drill Down for Safety campaign led by the Safe American Foundation.  There are a number of public and private sector organizations that are members of the taskforce promoting this national unity event.  Also partnering with Safe America as the lead public sector entity is Region V (Chicago) FEMA, which will brief their national and fellow regional leadership.

 

On September 11, 2009, you and members of your organization can participate in emergency preparedness initiatives by conducting a drill, such as an evacuation or shelter-in-place.  If drill activities do not fit your plan, then implement another event which profiles preparedness and the organization’s commitment.  To learn about the Safe American Foundation, please go to http://www.safeamerica.org.  Please note this event on your calendar – “On 09/11, Drill Down for Safety Campaign” and share with others about them participating.  All Americans can participate to celebrate our commitment in securing our homes, communities, and the nation.

 

If you are a member of a corporation or another group that wants to play an active part in this, please contact me and we can discuss it.

 

Best Practice: ASIS and Illinois Law Enforcement Partner in the Intelligence Fusion Center

The Illinois Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center, located in Springfield is a 24/7 crimes fusion center staffed by state, federal, and military intelligence specialists.  Their services are designated as a one-stop resource for hazard, criminal, and terrorism-related information.

 

The American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), the world’s largest association for security professionals, has more than 37,000 members and provides a variety of services.  The ASIS chapters in Illinois, with support from the ASIS Foundation, has partnered with the state to provide a full-time critical infrastructure specialist to the Fusion Center.  The specialist will receive, analyze and distribute appropriate intelligence received from local, state and federal levels to the private sector.  The Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS), which is a collation of 890 law enforcement agencies with ILEAS Executive Director Jim Page stating, “We are honored to participate with the Illinois State Police Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center and ASIS Foundation on this project.  ILEAS as a representative of law enforcement, values its partnership with both the State Police and privately held security assets within our state (ASIS, April 2009, p. 1)”.

 

ASIS pointed out that this partnership is the first of its kind in the nation.

 

Comments Solicitation on Incorporating Pets/Service Animals into Emergency Plans (FEMA)

Our friends at FEMA Region V (Chicago) advised that FEMA is seeking feedback and comments on a proposed draft of “Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 302, Incorporating Household Pets and Service Animals Considerations into Emergency Operations Plans”.  CPG-302 is the third in a series of guides, including the previously released Comprehensive Preparedness Guide CPG-101 and the Emergency Management Planning Guide for Special Needs Population CPG-301 documents.

 

Today, more than 60% of American households own a pet and more than half of them consider their pets to be members of the family (FEMA, CPG-302, p. 3).  Prior to Hurricane Katrina, many people refused to leave their homes because they could not evacuate their pets.  As a result, Congress enacted the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standard (PETS) in 2006, which provides a number of safeguards (FEMA, CPG-302, p. 3).  The draft CPG-302 incorporates aspects of the PETS legislation and provides clear guidelines on pets and service animals’ rescue, care, shelter, and basic needs. 

 

If you would like to review the draft and comments section, you may download the documents from our “CIP Information Exchange” database website in the Bulletin Board section.  Or you can contact your local FEMA office or go direct with Vincent Parisi, Regional Preparedness Officer, FEMA, Chicago, at either vincent.parisi@dhs.gov or (312) 408-5597.

 

September is Preparedness Month and 9/11 is National Day of Service & Remembrance

We recommend that agencies, businesses, non-profit organizations and communities to participate in the “On 9/11 Drill Down for Safety” campaign.  To see the video and learn more, please go to www.safeamerica.org.

 

Additionally, September is designated the National Preparedness Month, and your public or private sector organization can sign up as a Coalition Member to pledge to promote emergency preparedness.  As of early May, 436 organizations have signed up to participate.  To learn more, go to http://ready.adcouncil.org.

 

On April 29, 2009, President Obama signed legislation, which designates September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.  With volunteerism increasing, September 11th will likely raise the level of awareness and commitment by many people.

 

United Nations Resolution Honoring Security Profession and Community Safety

A draft has been released by the UN’s Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which honors the role of the private security profession dedicated to crime prevention and community safety.  In April 2009, during the Eighteenth Session in Vienna, the Commission invited countries to examine the contribution of security professionals to public order, safety, and security.  To read the draft resolution, please go to http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/commissions/CCPCJ/session/18-DraftResolutions.html and go down the menu to E/cn.15/2009/L.4/Rev.2 and open the document.

 

Excellent Resource – In Case of Emergency, Read Blog

With new, emerging Internet technology, professionals have always tried to select the resources that best fit their needs.  One source we use regularly is a weekly email blog from John Solomon, whose website states that the information is “A Citizen’s Eye View of Public Preparedness”.  Although, this blog originates from New York City, much of the information is applicable and useful nationally for both public and private sectors.

 

To learn more and/or sign up for the free weekly blogs, please go to http://incaseofemergencyblog.com. Listed in the top menu are other topics, click on one of those and the sign-up is posted there.

 

Boston Creates Public-Private Partnership

Our staff had conversations with members of Boston’s Office of Emergency Management about building a public-private partnership program.  Boston’s Local Emergency Planning Committee, comprised of various public sector agencies, businesses, media, non-profit organizations, and community groups, partnered with the Boston Office of Emergency Management, Boston Fire Department, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to offer business continuity training to the city’s business community.  Mayor Thomas Menino stated, “This is about partnerships and about working together…The best plans are ones where government, business and nonprofits are prepared to react and know how to interact in an emergency (Fraser, May 11, 2009, p.1)”.

 

Our compliments to Boston for their commitment and leadership in partnership building.

 

Ottawa, Canada (National Capitol): Public-Private Partnership through Operation INTERSECT

Operation INTERSECT, which began in 2008, encompasses the national capitol region to mitigate, prevent, respond to, and recover from emergencies and natural disasters.  Their four overarching goals are to enhance:

·        Awareness and community participation

·        Effective use of resources

·        Communication with and cooperation among agencies, and

·        Improvement of services to the community

 

Through Operation INTERSECT, they formed a Public-Private Partnership Working Group (P3 WG) with the aim of promoting emergency preparedness and ensure the resiliency of businesses and communities.  To learn more, please go to http://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/outreach/community_partnerships/success_operation_intersect.cfm.

 

 

Recent Postings to the CIP Information Exchange Website
The CIP Information Exchange website is a large database for public and private sector professionals interested in homeland security, emergency preparedness, business continuity, disaster recovery, and emergency management.  It also contains research publications, government documents, news items, and more.

 

To enter the ‘CIP Information Exchange’ database, please go to https://angel.msu.edu and using the drop-down menu, select Angel Guest Account.  Click on ‘proceed’, and on the next webpage, enter “msu.msu” in the Angel Guest User box and “partnership” (both without quotation marks) as the password to log on.  On the next page, click on Critical Incident Protocol (CIP) – Community Facilitation, which launches to the main menu.

 

Located in the folder "Bulletin Board - Information for all Communities" are a variety of recent postings, including:

·        Draft and Comments for CPG-302 Pets & Service Animals (FEMA)

·        PCII Program Procedures Manual (April 2009 Updates)

·        NIPP Executive Summary Plan 2009

·        Worldwide Disaster Emergency Alert Interactive Map

 

There are numerous other resources located on the website. To locate a specific topic, utilize the "search" function on the left side.  On top left side click on “guide” and when the sidebar box opens, go to the bottom in the box and click on “search” and follow the directions. 

 

Past Newsletters
If you are interested in viewing past CIP Update newsletters, please go to www.cip.msu.edu and select "Newsletters" from the main menu.

 

Closing
If you have any topics and/or ideas for a future CIP Update newsletter, please contact Brit Weber at weberbr@msu.edu or (517) 355-2227 or other MSU staff members. About every three weeks you will receive this newsletter via email. If you no longer wish to be on this list, please reply to this email.

 

Disclaimer
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or Michigan State University.

 

Sources

ASIS Foundation.  (April 21, 2009).  Press Release: ASIS Foundation and Illinois Law Enforcement Create the First Private-Sector Funded Position for the Illinois Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Fusion Center.

 

FEMA.  (May 2009).  FEMA Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG-302), “draft” document on Incorporating Household Pets and Service Animals Considerations into Emergency Operations Plans.

 

Fraser, Roderick.  (May 11, 2009).  Boston Creates Business Continuity With the Private Sector.  Government Technology.  Retrieved on May 12, 2009 from http://www.govtech.com/gt/666375.

 

 

Brit Weber
Program Director
CIP-Community Facilitation Program
School of Criminal Justice
Michigan State University
1407 S. Harrison Rd., 335 Nisbet Bldg.
East Lansing, MI 48823
Work:  (517)  355-2227   Cell:  (517) 206-1640
weberbr@msu.edu
Please visit our website:  http://www.cip.msu.edu