Wyoming Homeland Security Training Program

2011-10-26T08:30:00.001-07:00

The Emergency Management Instute EMI is experiencing technical difficulties with our Independent Study exam submission process. We are currently working this issue. We apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused. There will be a notice posted on http://ping.fm/Ct6JL as soon as this issue is resolved

Bioterrorism report card: U.S. unprepared

2011-10-14T07:55:00.001-07:00

Ten years after an anthrax attack killed five people and awakened the nation to the dangers of bioterrorism, the United States remains largely unprepared for a large-scale attack or deadly disease outbreak, according to a new report from the WMD Terrorism Research Center. The report, released October 12, gives the country mostly B's and C's for its ability to handle small-scale events, such as the anthrax letter attack of 2001, and failing grades for its ability to handle large-scale events. Notably, the report gives the country a "D" across the board for the country's ability to develop and quickly approve medical countermeasures such as diagnostic tools and vaccines, which are crucial in outbreaks of all sizes. Headed by two former U.S. Senators, the bipartisan center is an offshoot of the congressionally chartered WMD Commission, which concluded early last year. In its report, the center says the U.S. has spent more than $65 billion on bio-defense during the past decade, but still has holes that leave it vulnerable. "Today we face the very real possibility that outbreaks of disease — naturally occurring or man-made — can change the very nature of America," the report concludes. Technology is also making it easier for terrorists to create deadly mischief, the report says. A small team of individuals with graduate-level training and readily available equipment "could produce the type of bio-weapons created by nation-states in the 1960s," the report warns. It recognizes budget constraints and suggests governments focus on potential large-scale outbreaks. The report recommends improving detection and diagnosis of large-scale diseases and attacks, improving the development of medical countermeasures such as vaccines, and developing methods of dispensing those countermeasures to large populations. Leadership is also key, and a report author recommended the United States designate someone in the federal government with bioterrorism preparedness as their sole responsibility.

Treasury designates Iranian commercial airline linked to Iran's support for terrorism

2011-10-14T07:53:00.001-07:00

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced October 12 the designation of Iranian commercial airline Mahan Air pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224 for providing financial, material, and technological support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF). Based in Tehran, Iran, Mahan provides transportation, funds transfers and personnel travel services to the IRGC-QF. Mahan provided travel services to IRGC-QF personnel flown to and from Iran and Syria for military training. Mahan also facilitated the covert travel of suspected IRGC-QF officers into and out of Iraq by bypassing normal security procedures, and not including information on flight manifests to eliminate records of the IRGC-QF travel. Mahan crews have facilitated IRGC-QF arms shipments. Funds were also transferred via Mahan for the procurement of controlled goods by the IRGC-QF. In addition to the reasons for which Mahan was designated October 12, it also provides transportation services to Hizballah, a Lebanon-based designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. Mahan has transported personnel, weapons, and goods for Hizballah, and omitted from cargo manifests secret weapons shipments. As a result of the October 12 action, U.S. persons are barred from engaging in commercial or financial transactions with Mahan, and any assets it may hold under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen.

Worldwide travel alert - Iran plot

2011-10-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens of the potential for anti-U.S. actions following the disruption of a plot, linked to Iran, to commit a significant terrorist act in the United States. This Travel Alert expires January 11, 2012. An Iranian-born U.S. citizen, working on behalf of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force –- designated by the Treasury Department in 2007 for its support of terrorism –- is suspected of conspiring to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States. The U.S. government assesses this Iranian-backed plan may indicate a more aggressive focus by the Iranian government on terrorist activity against diplomats from certain countries, to include possible attacks in the United States. U.S. citizens residing and traveling abroad should review the Department’s Worldwide Caution and other travel information when making decisions concerning their travel plans and activities while abroad. U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without Internet access may enroll directly at the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the embassy/consulates to contact them in case of emergency

Underwear bomber’ pleads guilty to all charges

2011-10-14T07:49:00.001-07:00

The Nigerian man accused of trying to detonate an explosive device in his underwear aboard a Christmas 2009 flight to Detroit, pleaded guilty to all counts in court October 12. He had been indicted on charges including attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism, and possession of a firearm or destructive device in furtherance of an act of violence. The suspect had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was a passenger on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 en route from the Netherlands to Detroit Christmas Day 2009. U.S. officials said the terror group al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was behind the alleged bombing attempt.

EMI Informational Webinar

2011-10-14T07:45:00.001-07:00

Announcing the 7th of a series of monthly webinars being provided by Mission Support Branch of the Emergency Management Institute. The webinars are for Federal, State, Local, Tribal and emergency management personnel and their staff and will be presented monthly (1st Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM Eastern Time) via the world-wide web.

Subject: Declarations

Date/Time: November 2, 2011 from 1:00-2:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)

Website Information: https://fema.connectsolutions.com/r40349758/

The webinar is an informational brief. Therefore, participants do not register.

Conference Bridge Information: 1-800-320-4330 and Pin #: 885312

Closed Captioning Information: http://fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=1840681&CustomerID=321

Course Description: The webinar will provide an overview of the declaration process, to include the actions required before the President declares a declaration and what actions occur once a declaration has been declared. Additionally, the webinar will review the agreement between FEMA and the State.Course

Goals: At the completion of this training, participants will have a basic knowledge of:·

The declaration process; After a disaster is declared, what happens next; and The agreement between FEEMA and the State.

EMI Website: Webinars are announced on the EMI website at: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/webinars/EMI

Point of Contact: For course information, contact the EMI course manager, Doug Kuhn, at (301) 447-1287, 1-800-238-3358 (ext. 1287) or email: doug.kuhn@dhs.gov.

Adobe Connect Information: If you have never attended a Connect Pro meeting before: Test your connection: https://fema.connectsolutions.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm

Get a quick overview: http://www.adobe.com/go/connectpro_overview

2011-10-13T14:43:00.001-07:00

Here is a Link to the Taskbooks for All-Hazard for ICS positions

http://ping.fm/0jV0G Have a great night!

The Homeland Security Training Newsletter is Posted - Download it here

2011-10-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

http://www.wleacademy.com/HLS/newsletter.pdf

Introduction to Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations Suite ( CAMEO) 17-19 January 2012 , Buffalo WY

2011-10-04T13:41:00.000-07:00

Delivered By Louisiana State University (LSU)

In partnership with Johnson County Emergency Management

Enroll Here http://cameobuffalo.eventbrite.com/

P.O.S.T Credit is Available for this course

Date: 17-19 January 2012

Time :                    8:00 am - 5:00 Each Day
Location:              Buffalo Wyoming
                               Classroom Location TBA

Course Length:     3 Days

This performance-level course provides training on the fundamental elements of the CAMEO Suite of programs as they relate to emergency situations. As such, it includes detailed technical information and hands-on practice of critical elements of the CAMEO system and its associated programs (CAMEO Chemicals, CAMEOfm, ALOHA, and MARPLOT). To better understand how the programs interface, participants are provided opportunities to practice key procedures that allow users to enhance planning and response activities associated with community risks. These exercises clarify the connections between the programs and how they can enhance emergency planning and response activities.

Target Audience/DisciplineEmergency Management Agency, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Service, Healthcare,
Law Enforcement, Public Health, Public Safety Communications, Public Works

The target audience typically includes all types of emergency response personnel including fire, law enforcement, emergency medical technicians, public health officials, hazardous materials professionals, public safety communications representatives, public works officials, and emergency managers. Others who will benefit include those involved with emergency situations such as security personnel, corrections officers, hospital officials, Red Cross volunteers, chemical plant staff, and other employees associated with emergency planning and response.

PrerequisitesThere are no prerequisites for attending this course; however, basic personal computer (PC) skills and knowledge are required, and familiarity with databases, spreadsheets, and digital mapping is preferred

Look forward to seeing you in class

Point of Contact:
Russell Clark
Wyoming Homeland Security Training Program
307 358 1920

Volunteer Role- players Needed

2011-10-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

We are looking for Volunteer Role-Players to participate in the Law Enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response (Train the Trainer) course in WY / 14 Dec 2011. The Role-Players will be participating in the exercise portion of the class located at Casper College. Your participation can greatly enhance the realism and effectiveness of the training.

If you are interested in participating please contact Russell Clark at (307) 358-1920 or email russell.clark@wyo.gov

Colo. student develops Twitter app for disasters.

2011-10-04T09:51:00.001-07:00

A University of Colorado (CU) graduate student developed an Android application for Twitter to help people use a common language while tweeting during disasters, the Boulder Daily Camera reported September 29. Twitter has become popular during disasters because it offers a concise and efficient communication medium, he said. But, he said, a need to standardize the syntaxes used on Twitter has surfaced particularly for the emergency personnel, affected individuals, concerned loved ones, information officers, and journalists who use it to provide and monitor information and collaborate on rescue efforts. His application uses syntax developed in 2009 by a doctoral student of CU's Project EPIC (Empowering the Public with Information in Crisis) research group. Nearly 3,000 tweets using the "Tweak the Tweet" syntax were posted in the weeks following Haiti's 2010 earthquake. The graduate student's app helps provide a solution to better streamline emergency tweets. When those messages are selected, corresponding tweets that could include a user's status, needs or offers to help are queued for posting online.

The free app is called the Bucket Brigade Keyboard. It transforms the standard smart phone keyboard display into a keypad of a dozen message choices such as "help," "location" and "request." The app has been downloaded in 20 countries.

U.S. man charged in Pentagon, Capitol explosive plot

2011-10-04T09:50:00.001-07:00

U.S. authorities September 28 arrested and charged a Massachusetts man with plotting to damage or destroy the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. by using remote-controlled aircraft filled with plastic explosives. The man, 26, a U.S. citizen, was also charged with attempting to provide support and resources to al-Qa'ida to carry out attacks on U.S. soldiers overseas, the U.S. attorney's office in Boston said. He was arrested after an undercover operation. The statement said the public was never in danger from the devices, which were controlled by undercover FBI employees. If convicted, the alleged plotter faces up to 15 years in jail for providing support to foreign terrorists, up to 20 years on a charge of attempting to destroy national defense premises, and up to 20 years on a charge of attempting to damage and destroy buildings owned by the United States. Authorities said the physics graduate from Northeastern University in Boston began planning to commit a violent "jihad" against the US in early 2010, calling Americans "enemies of Allah." The man, allegedly modified mobile phones to act as electrical switches for improvised explosive devices. He is accused of supplying the phones to undercover FBI agents, whom he believed were members of, or recruiters for, al-Qa'ida. The man allegedly told a

cooperating witness he planned to attack the Pentagon using "small drone airplanes" filled with explosives and guided by GPS equipment. He later expanded the plot to include an attack on the Capitol, and hoped to follow the aerial assault with a ground assault involving six people armed with automatic weapons, the affidavit said. Authorities said he traveled to Washington, D.C., to conduct surveillance and take photographs of his targets, and identified sites at East Potomac Park, near the Capitol, from which he planned to launch his explosive-filled aircraft. He then delivered two thumb drives to the agents with detailed attack plans with step-by-step instructions. An F-86 Sabre remote-controlled aircraft was delivered to the suspect's Framingham, Massachusetts, storage unit in August, according to the affidavit. His arrest came immediately after he took possession of various weaponry from the undercover agents –- including explosives, grenades, and AK-47 assault rifles –- and locked them in his storage unit, the affidavit said.

Man indicted in case of bombs meant for border

2011-10-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

An Apache Junction, Arizona man who was a former member of a group with neo-Nazi ties is facing up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine for bomb-related offenses. The 28-year-old pleaded guilty September 27 in U.S. district court to possession of unregistered destructive devices and the unlawful transportation of explosive material. He will be sentenced December 13. The convict was charged with the crimes in January when he was pulled over in Apache Junction and officers discovered a grenade-like device in his truck. A search of his home turned up about a dozen of the devices. The U.S. attorney's office said the convict created them using polyvinyl chloride in a container filled with gunpowder, ball bearings, and an improvised fusing system. The convict, who was a member of the neo-Nazi-linked National Alliance and formerly in the National Socialist Movement, had planned to take the bombs to the Mexico border, according to court documents. Authorities said he used ball bearings to make them more dangerous. The investigation leading up to the convict's indictment was led by the FBI and members of the Phoenix Joint Terrorism Task Force.

DHS demos cell phone-based chemical detector.

2011-10-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

The DHS’s Science & Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) demonstrated in front of invited media and Web cast guests the first-ever cell phone capable of detecting life-threatening chemical exposures, dubbed the Cell-All, Urgent Communications reported September 29. The S&T worked with commercial vendors to miniaturize environmental sensors and embed them in commercial devices. The cell phone’s capabilities were demonstrated by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), which used them to detect a mock carbon-monoxide incident. Cell-All is a unique environmental sensor and application for cell phones that enhances personal and public safety, ea DHS S&T spokesman explained. He said Cell-All detects and alerts individuals and public-safety authorities to the release of specific toxic chemicals into the environment. The alert is delivered to a device with specific data, such as exposure level or a map of the affected area. In addition, the chemical-detector-empowered cell phone has the potential to send two-way information anonymously. When a citizens’ phone records a high reading, the chemical data and the person’s location can be transmitted to an emergency operations center anonymously, which then can be sent to first-responder agencies.

Advanced Crisis Communications Strategies for Public Information Officers – Web-Based Training (WBT)

2011-10-04T09:46:00.001-07:00

Available Fall 2011/Winter 2012
This online course provides public information officers with an advanced understanding—both theoretical and applied—of how to manage information and media relations in a crisis. Learn more...

AWR-212-W - Advanced Crisis Communications Strategies for Public Safety Communications Supervisors

2011-10-04T09:45:00.001-07:00

This online course provides 9-1-1 supervisors with a core understanding of media relations and how it connects to both their daily job duties and their larger roles within crisis situations. The course includes the following modules:

The Media and Public Safety Emergencies
Working Relationships With the Media Before A Crisis
Working Relationships With the Media During and After A Crisis
Social Media and Crisis Communications

Wyoming First Responder Training Needs Assessment

2011-09-22T20:29:00.001-07:00

Wyoming First Responder Training Needs
Assessment has been posted

See the Results Here http://ping.fm/BjcR4

Scenario-Based Executive Level Training (S-BELT)

2011-09-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

Scenario Based Executive Level Training

What is this training about? This course is created to expand and sustain homeland security leadership across the country. Developed by the Western Community Policing Institute and the Virginia Center for Policing Innovation, the course is designed to be challenge and scenario-based, requiring active participation and problem-solving. Participants, as leaders of their communities, will learn about leadership theories and traits that will assist them in planning and preparing for a National or domestic all hazards catastrophic event. This course will use historical figures and a pandemic influenza case study to examine and discuss how leaders, at critical times, can do the right thing, at the right time, in the right way, and for the right reasons.

Who should attend?
-- Law enforcement
-- Emergency medical services
-- Fire service -- Communications
-- Public works & public utilities -- Government administration
-- Public safety -- Health care & Private sector executives
-- Education
-- Emergency Managers

The target audiences for this program are executive leaders representing a broad spectrum of public and private organizations that have official responsibility in implementing a capabilities-based approach to preparedness during a time of a community crisis. This would include representatives from any of the following disciplines and any other executives who have direct involvement in emergency management operations:

Cost - None

Training is provided by Western Oregon University and is supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The course consists of topics including: Carrying Out the Homeland Security Mission: Defining and Understanding Leadership and Management Roles; Successfully Integrating and Synchronizing the Homeland Security Mission through Leadership: Situational Leadership; Homeland Security Executive leadership Skills: Primal Leadership and Emotional Intelligence (EI); Comprehensive Application of Homeland Security Strategies: Transformational Leadership; and, using case studies to assess leadership characteristics.

For more information on this courses, please contact us at: 307 358 1020 or russell.clark@wyo.gov

Training Update – New Mexico Tech First Responder Training

2011-09-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

Attendance and demand for resident courses Incident Response To Terrorist Bombing (IRTB) and Prevention and Response to Suicide Bombing Incidents (PRSPI) have been overwhelming. The schedule for IRTB and PRSBI for the remainder of 2011 is full. The 2012 calendar is on the website http://www.emrtc.nmt.edu/training/

NMT is accepting applications for 2012 dates as we speak. If you have tactical teams interested in attending the PRSBI training in 2012, please have them submit a request as soon a possible. These requests will be processed in order of receipt.

These slots fill quickly. It is anticipated the slots for tactical teams for 2012 will be filled within the next few months.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions,

Russell Clark

Russell.clark@wyo.gov

U.S. expresses concern over cyberattacks in Japan.

2011-09-22T08:32:00.001-07:00

The United States gave a stern warning September 21 over recent cyberattacks on Japan’s top defense contractors, the latest in a series of security breaches that have fueled worries over Tokyo’s ability to handle delicate information. An online assault on defense contractors including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), which builds F-15 fighter jets and other American-designed weapons for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, began in August but came to light only earlier the week of September 19, prompting rebukes from Japanese officials over the timing of the disclosure. IHI Corp., a military contractor that supplies engine parts for fighter jets, may have also been a target, the Nikkei business daily reported. MHI said September 19 its computer systems were hacked and some network information may have been compromised. According to the company, 83 computers and servers at 11 locations, including its Tokyo headquarters, factories, and a research and development center were accessed in the attack. Details of the breach were still unclear, a company spokesman said September 21. Japan’s defense minister said he did not receive reports that any classified information was compromised. It also remained unclear where the attacks originated, he said. However, an investigation by a security company revealed connections were made to 14 overseas sites, including at least 20 servers in China, Hong Kong, the United States, and India, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan’s largest daily. MHI has built F-15 fighter jet and missile systems, including Patriot batteries, and AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles, designed in the United States. The company builds some of that equipment with American contractors, including Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

Fort Sill officer pleads guilty in bomb hoax

2011-09-22T08:31:00.001-07:00

A military officer from Fort Sill has pleaded guilty to a bomb hoax at the southwest Oklahoma Army post in April. The first lieutenant entered the plea September 19 in U.S. district court in Oklahoma City. Federal prosecutors said that during a meeting with his superiors, the 27-year-old lieutenant pulled out a mortar shell attached to an external digital clock, wires and liquid, and referred to the device as "insurance." The incident prompted the evacuation of Snow Hall, a major facility on the post. The convict faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he's sentenced in a few months.

EMI Training Webinar Announcement: The Value of Planning for Commodity Distribution

2011-09-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

Announcing the 6th of a series of monthly webinars being provided by Mission Support Branch of the Emergency Management Institute. The webinars are for Federal, State, Local, Tribal and emergency management personnel and their staff and will be presented monthly (1st Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM Eastern Time) via the world-wide web.

Subject: The Value of Planning for Commodity Distribution

Date/Time: October 5, 2011 from 1:00-2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Website Information: https://fema.connectsolutions.com/r26368360/

The webinar is an informational brief. Therefore, participants do not register.

Conference Bridge Information: 1-800-320-4330 and Pin #: 885312

Closed Captioning Information: http://fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=1811438&CustomerID=321

Course Description:

The webinar addresses the many challenges that distribution sites may encounter (i.e. power outages, donations) by utilizing lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina. It also includes advice for setting up and staffing a Point of Distribution (POD) and distributing life-saving commodities to an impacted community.

Course Goals:

At the completion of this training, participants will have a basic knowledge of:

· The challenges that distribution sites must plan for;

· The three types of distribution points; and

· How to set up a POD.

EMI Website: Webinars are announced on the EMI website at:

· http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/webinars/

Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Emmitsburg Maryland.
Resident Training Available at no cost - For More Information contact Russell Clark at 307 358 1920 or email russell.clark@wyo.gov

Libyan chemical materials a proliferation threat, U.S. commander says.

2011-09-22T08:27:00.001-07:00

Libya's stockpile of chemical warfare materials remains a potential source of proliferation, the U.S. military commander for Africa told reporters September 14. When fighting broke out in February, Tripoli still held a reported 9.5 metric tons of deteriorating blister agent, less than half of the mustard stockpile that was being eliminated under the auspices of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The government also possessed in excess of 1,300 tons of chemical-weapon precursor materials. The regime years earlier destroyed thousands of empty aerial munitions that could have been used to disperse the toxic chemicals in an aerial attack. There is "great concern about the security of that material," the head of U.S. Africa Command said. "It's not weaponized, it's not easily weaponized, but nonetheless we want to make sure ... the [Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons] gets back in there and completes the destruction of the remaining materials." In addition to chemical materials, the commander said he is concerned about shoulder-fired missiles falling into the hands of al-Shabab, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb or Boko Haram, the continent's three major extremist organizations. He also noted that conventional munitions left over by the previous regime could be used in improvised explosive devices. Also September 14, a U.S. Assistant Secretary of State said the United States is working with Tripoli's new leaders to stem possible proliferation of conventional and unconventional weapons, Reuters reported. He said that "to the best of our knowledge" the chemical warfare materials "are containerized in bulk form ... and we believe from monitoring that they are where they are supposed to be."

It is finally here !!! HazMat/WMD Tech for Surface Transportation

2011-09-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

The Federal Course Number is PER-293

TTCI and the NCERST have received approval to begin our federally funded HWMDTST course.

This course is academic and performance challenging, to prepare participants for the offensive measures necessary to mitigate a HazMat/WMD emergency. Participants respond and demonstrate proficiency with nonbulk and bulk packaging, railcars, cargo tanks, intermodal and portable tanks, and techniques necessary to perform containment and confinement procedures. Participants develop and assist in the development of plans while functioning in an incident command structure with the LMSTI course students. Balanced classroom and fieldwork time maximize the learning experience.

Please note the prerequisite training required to participate in this class: Operations Level, NIMS/ICS IS-100b, IS-200b, IS-700a.

To go straight to our application for DHS FEMA funds for this course, please click on this link: 2011 HazMat/WMD Tech for Surface Transportation

Our website is being updated continuously, so please check it frequently. http://www.sertc.org/.

New Course offered - Advanced Crisis Communications Strategies

2011-09-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

MGT-386-IL T, Advanced Crisis Communications Strategies for Public Safety

Communications Supervisors is a no-cost 7.5 hour instructor led course in a

classroom environment. This face-to-face course is specifically designed for

Public Safety Access Points/ 911 dispatch supervisors. This fast paced course is

led by an experienced instructor in emergency management from Ball State

University, Indiana. The course will include the following topicsrussell.clarkwyo.gov

For up-to-date information on availability of other Advanced Crisis

Communications Training (ACCT)courses, check our website at

www.bsu.edu/acct

To schedule a course, contact: Russell Clark@wyo.gov

State launches Preparedness Month promotion

2011-09-09T12:52:00.000-07:00

Preparedness Month is in September and local and state agencies are launching an awareness program to encourage residents to take steps now to prepare for disaster.
The “I’m prepared in Wyoming Promotion” is a component of National Preparedness Month which is held each September and is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities.
The online promotion is open to Wyoming residents and once a preparedness tip is submitted or a video is watched and commented on the individual is entered to win one of more than 90 preparedness prizes.

Enter Here http://wyohomelandsecurity.state.wy.us/npm/index.html

The HollyFrontier Companies, formerly Frontier Refining, partnered with the Wyoming Citizen Corps program and donated a large portion of the prizes. Kevin Burke, vice president and refinery manager said they are pleased to be part of the promotion and involved in community preparedness.

“HollyFrontier is proud to be a continuing supporter and contributor to the community,” Burke said. “We are excited to be a part of a statewide awareness and educational program and encourage residents to participate and take steps to prepare.”
Guy Cameron, director, Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, said the program is the first of its kind in Wyoming and is a unique and exciting way to spread the preparedness message.

“We’ve never conducted an awareness program like this before,” Cameron said “This Internet-based promotion is a way to reach the entire state. Preparedness starts with families being involved and making a plan and this promotion will give them the tools they need to start that process.”
The promotion will be active from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30 and can be accessed at http://wyohomelandsecurity.state.wy.us/npm/index.html
The Citizen Corps program helps coordinate volunteer activities that will make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. It provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds.

--
Kelly Ruiz
Public Information Officer
Citizen Corps Program Manager
Wyoming Office of Homeland Security
http://wyohomelandsecurity.state.wy.us
www.facebook.com/wyohs

U.S. security intensifying as Sept. 11 date nears

2011-09-02T07:13:00.000-07:00

As the United States prepares for the 10-year anniversary of the September 11th attacks — a date al-Qa’ida has cited as a potential opportunity to strike again — security is intensifying at airports, train stations, nuclear plants, and major sporting arenas. “At this point there is no specific credible threat, but that doesn’t mean we are relaxing at all in terms of our vigilance,” the U.S. President’s homeland security and counterterrorism adviser said August 31. There will be increased law enforcement presence on Los Angeles transit systems during the “threat window,” with bomb sniffing dogs, and random baggage searches. In Phoenix, Arizona, police will be doing more patrols around the region’s nuclear power plant, airports, and other critical sites that, if attacked, could affect the city, said a sergeant at the homeland defense bureau of the Phoenix Police Department. In Florida, there will be extended staffing at the state’s fusion center an intelligence-sharing operation established after the September 11th attacks that places law enforcement from around the state, as well as representatives from the FBI, DHS, and the Transportation Security Administration in one building, said the center’s director. New Yorkers will see more police officers on patrol in and around ground zero, where the World Trade Center towers stood, said a police department spokesman. The department also plans an increased show of force in the subways, which are always considered a potential terror target. Source:U.S. Department of Homeland Security Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report Update

IEMC Vanacies Update - Please desiminate

2011-08-31T08:28:00.000-07:00

Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Training Opportunities
If interested, apply immediately!

Vacancies exist in the offerings for fiscal year 2012 courses at the Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland. For more information, please go to: http://training.fema.gov/emicourses or contact the Admissions Office at (301) 447-1035 or via email at netc-admissions@dhs.gov .

E900 IEMC All Hazards: Preparedness & Response 10/17-20/11 41 vacancies (All disciplines)
E901 IEMC All Hazards: Recovery & Mitigation 10/24-27/11 39 vacancies (All disciplines)
E905 IEMC Hurricane: Preparedness & Response 10/31-11/3/11 40 vacancies (All disciplines)
E915 IEMC: Homeland Security Preparedness & Response 1/16-19/12 55 vacancies (All disciplines)
E920 IEMC: Hazardous Materials: Preparedness & Response 12/19-22/11 55 vacancies (All disciplines)
E922 IEMC: Planned Events 12/19-22/11 50 vacancies
E947 IEMC: EOC/IMT Interface 11/7-10/11 43 vacancies, 2/6-9/12 50 vacancies, 3/5-8/12 50 vacancies
E953 NIMS ICS All-Hazards PIO TTT 2/6-10/12 30 vacancies
E955 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Safety Officer TTT 11/28-12/1/11 29 vacancies
E957 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Liaison Officer TTT 10/11-12/11 23 vacancies
E959 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Operations Section Chief TTT 10/31-11/3/11 20 vacancies
E961 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Division/Group Supervisor TTT 2/21-23/12 25 vacancies
E968 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Logistics TTT 12/5-9/11 28 vacancies
E974 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Finance/Admin TTT 1/17-19/12 19 vacancies
E977 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Supply Unit Leader TTT 3/5-8/12 23 vacancies
E978 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Situation Unit Leader TTT 3/19-23/12 21 vacancies

Send completed applications to:
Wyoming Homeland Security Training Program
Mail
1556 Riverbend Drive
Douglas WY 82633
Fax (307) 358-0994

Man in standoff at Alaska military base surrenders

2011-08-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

An armed and apparently suicidal man surrendered to police August 18 after a 4-hour standoff at the entrance to an Alaska military base, officials said. The 23-year-old was arrested on reckless endangerment charges outside Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage, and will undergo a mental evaluation, an Anchorage police spokeswoman said. Police, who had been alerted the man was possibly suicidal, spotted his car and followed him to the main entrance of the base, which is shared by the U.S. Air Force and Army. They then surrounded him with police vehicles, called in special security and police dogs, and negotiated his surrender, he said. The man, who is not a member of the military or connected to the base, was armed with two handguns, the police spokeswoman said. Operations at the base continued as normal during the standoff, but the incident forced authorities to close the base’s main gate until the suspect was taken into custody

Great News !

2011-08-18T21:53:00.001-07:00

Center For Domestic Preparedness, Anniston Alabama

Great News !
There is a Center For Domestic Preparedness Alumni Discussion group on LinkedIn. Check it out and find out what others think of the training they have taken at the CDP.
http://www.linkedin.com

Homeland Security Training Opportunities for First Responders

2011-08-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

The National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC) is a professsional alliance commited to providing high quality first responder training to first responders at no cost to them or there agencies. ( no I dont work for the NDPC :)

There are hundreds of courses, if you stack all the course catalogs they are 6 inches thick.

You can take courses Online, resident training- in one of several premiere training facilities, or host a course in your venue.

In most cases for resident training you are provided airfare, accomidations, meals, per-diem and milage

All you need is time.

You might recognize some of the partner Schools:

Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Alabama
The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech)
Louisiana State University's Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education (National Center for Biomedical Research and Training)
Texas A&M University National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (TEEX),
The Department of Energy’s Nevada Test Site (NTS),
The Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), and the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center at the University of Hawaii (NDPTC).

Each of these schools specializes in there own field of expertise to include

Chemical Terrorism,
Explosives,
Radiological/nuclear devices
bioterrorism
Counter-terrorism
Agroterrorism
Emergency management systems
And More

This training is some of most realistic training you can attend.
Examples:

Live Bomb field labs in the Incident Respons to Terrorist bombing Class at New Mexico Tech.
Train in a Live Chemical Enviroment at the Center For Domestic Preparedness - WMD Technical Emergency Response Training
Train in a Hot Radoligical site at The Department of Energy’s Nevada Test Site (NTS), taking WMD Radiological/Nuclear Course for HazMat Technicians
Train for an active shooter incident using simunitions in LSU's Law Enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response Course

I have linked the NDPD site but check out each of the individual school web pages.
http://www.ndpc.us/

If you are a First Responder or Homeland Security Professional and have not taken advantage of this training you really should look into these opportunities

If you have any questions at all please free to contact me, I will be happy to assist you

Russell Clark
Wyoming Homeland Security Training Program
(307) 358 1920

Expelled teen charged in plot to bomb school.

2011-08-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Police said August 17 they had prevented an attack on a Tampa, Florida high school after arresting an expelled student and discovering bomb-making material at his home. "We were probably able to foil a potentially catastrophic event the likes of which the city of Tampa has not seen," the Tampa police chief said during a news conference. Police detained and charged the 17-year-old suspect August 16, and said his target was Freedom High School. The police chief said the suspect, who was expelled from the school in 2009, had hoped "to cause more casualties than were suffered at Columbine." He is believed to have acted alone. Authorities said the suspect has multiple juvenile arrests. Charges have included burglary, carrying a concealed weapon, altering serial numbers on a firearm, and drug possession. All have been either dismissed or no action has been taken. Acting on a tip from an informant August 16, police learned the suspect had been planning his attack to take place on the first day of class August 23, the police chief said. Specific school administrators were targeted, she added. The suspect's mother, a math teacher at another Tampa high school, consented to a police search of the family home August 16. Evidence found in the search included a "manifesto" with drawings of school rooms and statements apparently indicating his intention to carry out a deadly attack, authorities said. Police also found timing and fusing devices, and other material that could have been used to make a bomb such as fuel sources, shrapnel, and plastic tubing, the police chief said. The suspect was charged with threatening to throw, project, place, or discharge a destructive device, possession of bomb-making materials, and cultivation of marijuana. Police bomb squad experts determined the quantity of materials found at the home was "capable of taking multiple lives," the St. Petersburg Times reported.

Source: DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 18 August 2011

Openings in NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific train-the-trainer classes / The Emergency Management Institute/ Emmetsburg , Maryland

2011-08-17T10:31:00.001-07:00

Openings in NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific train-the-trainer classes / The Emergency Management Institute/ Emmetsburg , Maryland

Cost Free

If you are interested in becoming an Instructor in one of these classes and offering the training in your Jurisdiction please contact us soon. Vacancies will not last.

Please notice that all four NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific train-the-trainer classes scheduled to be held on the campus of the NETC /EMI this fall have openings for students remaining.

This will be the only time during FY 2012 that these classes will be offered in a train-the-trainer format, so interested person are urged to apply in a timely manner. Scheduled classes include:

E-957 Liaison Officer TTT - October 11 – 12, 2011

E-599 Operations Section Chief TTT – October 31 – November 3, 2011

E-955 Safety Officer TTT – November 28 – December 1, 2011

E-968 Logistics Section Chief TTT – December 5 – 9, 2011

NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific training should be completed by personnel who are currently members of Type III or Type IV IMT’s, or by those seeking credentials/certification for ICS Command and General Staff or Unit Leader positions. Train-the-trainers for those classes are designed for those personnel who are experienced instructors, are well familiar with the ICS system, and have a desire to teach selected Position Specific classes. Person(s) interested in attending should meet the selection criteria for the course as noted in the EMI Course Catalog and submit FEMA Application Form 119-25-1 to NETC Admissions through their respective State Training Officers. If you have any questions, please contact the EMI Course Manager for the Position Specific Program at the contact information noted below.

Robert L. Ridgeway, Training Specialist

Integrated Emergency Management Branch

National Emergency Training Center

Emergency Management Institute/FEMA/DHS

16825 South Seton Avenue

Emmitsburg, MD. 21727

Office: (301) 447-1142

E-mail: Robert.ridgeway@dhs.gov

Promoting preparedness by giving you the chance to win one of 85 preparedness prizes.

2011-08-17T09:20:00.001-07:00

The Wyoming Citizen Corps Council, the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, the Wyoming Military Department, and the Wyoming Department of Health are promoting preparedness by giving you the chance to win one of 85 preparedness prizes. How to enter:

http://ping.fm/0n6M6

Training Update – Emergency Management Institute offers: Recovery from Disaster – The Local Government Role

2011-08-17T08:28:00.000-07:00

Course: E-210 Recovery from Disaster: The Local Government Role

Date: October 3-6, 2011

Location: Emergency Management Institute (EMI), Emmitsburg, Maryland

Target Audience:
Emergency Managers, city/county administrators, public works directors, building inspectors, community planners, fire chiefs, and police chiefs.

Continuing Education Units (CEU):
Emergency Management Institute (EMI) awards 2.5 CEUs for completion of this course.

Course Description:
This course was COMPLETELY REVISED in 2010 and is designed for local disaster recovery teams consisting of Emergency Managers, city/county administrators, public works directors, building inspectors, and community planners. The course focuses on the roles and responsibilities of each team member and provides guidance on developing a local disaster recovery plan. Best practices in disaster recovery are summarized in a CD-ROM toolkit included in the course materials. Participants are given the opportunity to develop an outline of their own recovery plan during the course.

Course Goal:
1. Increase local government awareness of issues involved in disaster recovery.
2. Provide a forum for discussion of “lessons learned” in disaster recovery at the local level.
3. Promote the development of a pre-disaster recovery plan.

Prerequisite:
None.

Course Length:
4 days. Travel days are Sunday and Friday.

To Apply:
Complete a FEMA Form 119-25-1, General Admissions Application with student signature and signature of supervisor or sponsoring agency official. Submit the application through Wyoming Homeland Security Training Program.

Fax Applications to (307 ) 358-0994 or Mail to
Wyoming Homeland Security Training Program
1556 Riverbend Drive
Douglas WY 82633

For further enrollment information call (307) 358-1920
Or Visit EMI’s web page at http://training.fema.gov/apply.

ICS - 300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents & Table Top Exercise / Gillette WY / 3-5 Oct 11

2011-08-15T09:04:00.000-07:00

Date: 3-5 October 2011

Times :          Monday         October 3rd     8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
                   Tuesday        October 4th      8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
                   Wednesday   October 5th      8:00 a.m. - Noon

Location:     Ponderosa Room (Top Floor, West Side of Building)
                       George Amos Memorial Building
                       412 South Gillette Avenue

(This is the building immediately north of the Campbell County Courthouse.) Please park in the Courthouse Parking Garage. Parking on Gillette Avenue for no longer than 2 hours is a good way to get a parking ticket.

Handicapped Access

The classroom is on the top floor of the building and access from Main Street involves several sets of steps. There is marked Handicapped Parking at the back of the building, and an elevator on the west side of the building. Please let us know of any special requirements at the time of registration and we'll provide additional details.

ICS-300 is POST-Certified for Wyoming Law Enforcement Officers

Host Agency: Campbell County Emergency Management Agency

Instructor: Dave King

Who needs to take ICS 300:

All Mid-level Management Federal/State/Local/Tribal/Private Sector & Nongovernmental personnel to include should take ICS-300, including: Persons serving as command staff, section chiefs, strike team leaders, task force leaders, unit leaders, division/group supervisors, branch directors, and multi-agency coordination

What it covers:

The Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents course provides training on and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the ICS. The course expands upon information covered in the ICS 100 and ICS 200 courses. Also included in this training will be a table top exercise. This three day course is designed to meet the required objectives of NIMS. The class builds on the ICS 100 and 200 courses and is a pre-requisite for the ICS 400 course.

Requirements: ICS 300 is designed for candidates that have also successfully completed the ICS 100 and ICS 200 courses

ICS 100 and 200 can be taken online (Free)through the Emergency Management Institute http://training.fema.gov/IS/

If you have any questions or concerns about this class please contact Dave King at (307) 686-7477 or dak41@ccgov.net

FEMA IPAWS Special Event: Are You Ready for the Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test?

2011-08-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

Event Details

What: EAS Participant Virtual Roundtable: Are You Ready for the Nationwide EAS Test?
When: August 15^th, 2011; 11:00 am- 1:00 pm (Eastern)
Where: Microsoft Live Meeting 2007 (https://www323.livemeeting.com/cc/eiip/join?id=IPAWS&role=attend)

IPAWS will briefly recap elements of the best practice guide and discuss a variety of topics with virtual roundtable participants, including:

· EAS Receive and Relay Process

· EAS Originator Message Content and Quality

· State and Local EAS Testing

· EAS Equipment Operation and Maintenance

· Nationwide EAS Test Information Toolkit

· EAS Test Preparation Checklist

This virtual roundtable will share, build, and refine elements of the best practices guide with industry; discuss overall improvements to the system through coordinated State/local and EAS Participant activities; share and discuss an EAS Test public awareness and information toolkit for State, Territorial, and local government and EAS Participants; review the technical process to receive and relay the EAN; and conclude with elements of an EAS Test Preparation Checklist.

Participating Government and Private-Sector Organizations:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
International Association of Emergency Mangers (IAEM)
National Emergency Management Association (NEMA)
Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE)
Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE)
American Cable Association (ACA)
National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA)
Tennessee Association of Broadcasters (TAB)
Washington Military Department Emergency Management Division (WMDEM)

In order to prepare EAS Participants for the November 9, 2011 Nationwide EAS Test, FEMA IPAWS, the FCC, and NOAA are partnering with industry leaders and experts to draft a comprehensive technical best practices guide on end-to-end National EAS message procedures. The guide will be updated incrementally with the EAS community through webinars, roundtables, and other activities leading up to the Test.

Want to contribute to the best practices guide? Please visit A National Dialogue on the Emergency Alert System website: https://nationaldialogue-emergencyalertsystem.ideascale.com/ to vote on ideas and solutions for a variety of EAS discussions. Ideas from the website will be directly discussed in August 15^th virtual roundtable. Follow us on Twitter @NationalEASTest (https://twitter.com/#!/NationalEASTest) for events and information updates.

For more information on the Nationwide EAS Test, please visit the FEMA IPAWS website: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm

Please contact ipaws@dhs.gov for a meeting invitation and questions.
Microsoft 2007 Live Meeting link: https://www323.livemeeting.com/cc/eiip/join?id=IPAWS&role=attend (this will not be active until the morning of August 15^th)

Microsoft Live Meeting Connection Information:

The Live Meeting Client must be installed in order to hear the audio portion of the program.
Microsoft Windows (XP or later) and sound card are required. Please refer to the Live Meeting Instructions for configuring your system. http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/ipaws/livemtginstruct.pdf.

Use the following URL to log in to the Webinar: https://www323.livemeeting.com/cc/eiip/join?id=IPAWS&role=attend

Russia destroys half of its chemical weapons

2011-08-12T12:57:00.001-07:00

Russia has destroyed more than half of its stockpile of chemical weapons, and the remainder would be gone by 2015, a senior official said August 10. Some 21,000 tons of chemical weapons have been destroyed, the deputy director of the federal special construction agency, told the Xinhua news agency. In line with international obligations, Russia must destroy 40,000 tons of chemical weapons by 2015, said the deputy director, who is responsible for construction of facilities for destroying such weapons. There are at least six chemical weapons destruction facilities in Russia. Russia was supposed to have destroyed all such weapons by April 29, 2012. But it postponed the deadline to 2015 due to a lack of funding. Source: DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report

Possible bomb removed from gas pipeline

2011-08-12T12:29:00.000-07:00

Possible bomb removed from gas pipeline. A possible explosive device found August 10 on a gas line in Okemah, Oklahoma, was rendered harmless and removed from the site. An FBI special agent said the FBI and Oklahoma Highway Patrol bomb technicians had recovered the device and determined there were no secondary devices at the scene. The agent said the device's contents would be taken to a laboratory and examined to see if they were active or inert. A law enforcement official told CNN the device was made up of black powder, propane, and a timing device. The official could not assess how effective the device may have been, or how much damage it might have caused. Source: DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report

American Muslim pleads guilty to using the Internet to solicit terrorism

2011-08-11T09:16:00.001-07:00

American Muslim pleads guilty to using the Internet to solicit terrorism. A 22-year-old American Muslim from New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty August 9 to using an Internet Web site to urge Muslim radicals within the United States to engage in a wide range of terror attacks. He pleaded guilty in federal court in Pittsburgh to a single charge of solicitation to commit a crime of violence. The solicitations including urging like-minded individuals to sabotage train tracks; destroy phone lines, power lines, and cell phone towers; start forest fires; and engage in isolated attacks against Americans civilians, police, and military officials. The man was an active moderator on the English-language version of the militant Islamic Web discussion forum, Ansar al-Mujahideen Forum. The second count of his indictment charges that he posted and distributed on the Internet a 101-page explosives course written by a professor who was once al-Qa'ida’s top chemical and biological weapons expert. “[He] placed a number of postings â¦ encouraging attacks within the United States,” the indictment said. ”He suggested the use of firearms, explosives, and propane tanks against targets such as police stations, post offices, synagogues, military facilities, train lines, bridges, cell phone towers, and water plants.” He suggested militant Muslims in the United States should attack civilian aircraft, banks, military installations, Jewish schools, and daycare centers, according to the indictment. After posting the “Explosives Course” online in late December 2010, agents with the FBI sought to question him. When two agents approached the man January 4, the encounter turned into a physical struggle. During a scuffle, he allegedly bit both agents, drawing blood, as he attempted to retrieve a loaded 9 mm handgun from his jacket pocket. He faces up to 10 years in prison, and a $125,000 fine. Source: DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report

Update: The Ammonium Nitrate Security Program

2011-08-11T08:31:00.001-07:00

Update: The Ammonium Nitrate Security Program is a proposed regulation developed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in response to direction from Congress to "regulate the sale and transfer of ammonium nitrate by an ammonium nitrate facility...to prevent the misappropriation or use of ammonium nitrate in an act of terrorism." Section 563 of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act (P.L. 110-161) (PDF - 614 pages, 1.69 MB) amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002. See Link Below

Section 563 of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act (P.L. 110-161)

Emergency Management Institute Training Webinar

2011-08-11T07:34:00.001-07:00

The 5th of a series of monthly webinars being provided by the Emergency Management Institute.
The webinars are for Federal, State, Local, Tribal and emergency management personnel and their staff and will be presented monthly (1st Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time) via the world-wide web.
Webinar Subject: Resource Management, Resource Typing and Readiness Date/Time: September 7, 2011 from 1:00-2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Conference Bridge Information: 1-800-320-4330 and Pin #: 885312

Webinars are announced on the EMI website at
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/webinars/

Description: The webinar will focus on the fundamentals of Resource Management and address the basics of Resource Typing as described in the “Resource Management” section of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), with emphasis on the difference between “Tier I” and “Tier II” resource types and a review of a resource typing example. The presentation will also provide information relating to the determination of resource capabilities by category, kind, and type and how Resource Management corresponds to readiness.Course Goals: At the completion of this training, participants will have a basic knowledge of:· Understanding the fundamentals of Resource Management; Categorizing and Identifying resources using Resource Typing ; and The correlation between Resource Management and Readiness.

: Emergency Management Institute, Emmetsburg MD

For Information on resident training at EMI go to - http://training.fema.gov/EMI/

State actor seen behind enormous wave of cyber attacks

2011-08-04T09:11:00.001-07:00

Security company McAfee discovered the biggest series of cyber attacks to date, involving the infiltration of the networks of 72 organizations including the United Nations, governments, and companies around the world, Reuters reported August 3. McAfee said it believed there was one "state actor" behind the attacks but declined to name it, though one security expert briefed on the hacking said the evidence points to China.

The long list of victims in the 5-year campaign include the governments of the United States, Taiwan, India, South Korea, Vietnam and Canada; the Association of Southeast Asian Nations; the International Olympic Committee; the World Anti-Doping Agency; and an array of companies, from defense contractors to high-tech enterprises. In the case of the United Nations, the hackers broke into the computer system of its secretariat in Geneva in 2008, hid there for nearly 2 years, and quietly combed through reams of secret data. McAfee learned of the extent of the hacking campaign in March of this year when its researchers discovered logs of the attacks while reviewing the contents of a "command and control" server they discovered in 2009 as part of an investigation into security breaches at defense companies. It dubbed the attacks "Operation Shady RAT" and said the earliest breaches date back to mid-2006, though there might have been other intrusions. (RAT stands for "remote access tool," a type of software hackers and security experts use to access computer networks from afar). McAfee's vice president of threat research said McAfee had notified all 72 victims of the attacks, which are under investigation by law enforcement agencies around the world.

Source: DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report

Active Shooter Response (Train the Trainer) Class

2011-08-03T22:39:00.000-07:00

This Video is an introduction to the class listed below

Active Shooter Train the Trainer Class

Free to Peace Officers in good standing with there agency

13-15 December 2011

Casper WY

Go to http://whstpclasses.eventbrite.com to enroll

Homeland Security to regulate fertilizer chemical used in Oklahoma City, Norway Bombings

2011-08-03T07:41:00.001-07:00

More than 15 years after a fertilizer bomb was used to blow up a government building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, the federal government is proposing to regulate the sale and transfer of the chemical ammonium nitrate. The proposal comes nearly 4 years after Congress gave the DHS the authority to develop a program to regulate the compound. Ammonium nitrate is one of the most common farm fertilizers in the world, and instructions for turning it into a bomb are available on the Internet. Its deadly potential was once again realized July 22, when a Norwegian man allegedly blew up a government building in Norway, killing eight people with a bomb that investigators believe was made with ammonium nitrate. On August 2, the DHS proposal is expected to be posted on the Federal Register Web site and the public will have 120 days to comment. As it's proposed, the "Ammonium Nitrate Security Program" would require those who purchase, sell or transfer at least 25 pounds of the chemical in the United States to register with the government so they may be screened against U.S. terror watch lists, according to a homeland security official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the proposal had not formally been published. The DHS would give registration numbers to those who are approved to buy, sell or transfer ammonium nitrate. The registrants would also be required to keep records and report the theft or loss of the chemical within 24 hours of discovering it missing. A number of countries have banned ammonium nitrate fertilizer. And some U.S. states regulated its use after the chemical was used in the Oklahoma City bombing. Last year, the Afghan government banned ammonium nitrate, as the chemical most often used in bombs targeting American soldiers in Afghanistan. Source: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/02/homeland-security-to-regulate-fertilizer-chemical-used-in-oklahoma-city-norway/

Letter with white substance sent to congressman’s office

2011-08-03T07:40:00.001-07:00

An envelope containing a 3-page type-written letter and a suspicious white substance was found August 1 at a U.S. Congressman’s office on State Street in Salem, Oregon. The letter came a day after the U.S. President and congressional leaders reached a tentative deal to increase the nation’s debt ceiling, and 3 days after the Congressman circulated a letter opposing the GOP’s plan to cut spending. Though the Congressman was not in the office at the time, three of his employees were there and at least one called authorities about possible hazardous materials in the envelope. FBI agents responded and took the envelope to be tested. Oregon State Police, Salem Fire Hazmat Team 13, Salem Police, and Salem Public Works responded to a report of possible hazardous materials at the office at around 8:30 a.m. The building was evacuated. Salem Police closed three of State Street’s four lanes for about 90 minutes. Workers in the Congressman’s office and employees who work in other offices in the facility were allowed to return to the building soon after. Source: http://community.statesmanjournal.com/blogs/crimeandcourts/2011/08/01/letter-with-white-powder-sent-to-congressmans-office

2011-08-02T19:00:00.001-07:00

The Homeland Security Training Newsletter is published. you can read it here

http://ping.fm/3oLfY

2011-08-01T15:10:00.001-07:00

Interoperative Communications and Wyolink Training -23 Aug 11 1-5 PM
All state and local agencies are welcome

Enroll through this link -

http://ping.fm/oHshQ

2011-08-01T09:30:00.001-07:00

Lessons Learned and Information Sharing Website
Learn from the success and failures of others
Lessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS.gov) is a Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency program. LLIS.gov serves as the national, online network of lessons learned, best practices, and innovative ideas for the emergency management and homeland security communities. This information and collaboration resource helps emergency response providers and homeland security officials prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other emergencies. LLIS.gov provides federal, state, and local responders and emergency managers with a wealth of information and front-line expertise on effective planning, training, and operational practices across homeland security functional areas.
http://ping.fm/Z6AJL

2011-08-01T09:22:00.001-07:00

Fundamentals of Emergency Management Course
EMI Independent Study offers Fundamentals of Emergency Management Course IS-230.b
Link to take course http://ping.fm/LJBWG
his course is the first introductory course in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Emergency Management Institute’s (EMI) Independent Study Professional Development Series (PDS). Its goal is to introduce you to the fundamentals of emergency management (EM) as an integrated system, and how its resources and capabilities can be networked together for all hazards.

2011-07-28T21:24:00.001-07:00

A U.S. serviceman is in custody after he allegedly admitted he was planning an attack on his fellow servicemen at the U.S. Army base at Fort Hood, Texas, the same base where 13 people were killed in the 2009 Ft Hood terror attack - The plot was foiled by a alert gun store clerk where the accused was trying to buy 6 lbs of smokeless gun powder
See the complete story here:
http://ping.fm/CaHrA

This is why it is so important to stay aware and keep vigilant. If it wasn’t for this alert employee ( Retired Police Officer ), the end could have been un-thinkable. The fact is most terrorist acts are not prevented during the act but rather in the preparatory stages.

2011-07-28T10:07:00.001-07:00

Emergency Management Institute WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT: Skills for a Successful Presentation (August 3rd @ 1:00PM EST)

The fourth of a series of monthly webinars being provided by Mission Support Branch of the Emergency Management Institute. The webinars are for Local, State, Tribal and emergency management personnel and their staff and will be presented monthly (1st Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time) via the world-wide web.
Conference Bridge Information:
1-800-320-4330
Pin #: 885312
http://ping.fm/v9uvX

2011-07-27T20:29:00.001-07:00

This is just a reminder if you received a Training Needs Assessment via email from us. Please take a few minutes to fill it out. Your input will help up close the gap in your homeland security training needs....Thank you ...Russell Clark