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Volume 23 — Issue 50 | December 21, 2023 |
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Energy storage systems (ESS) using lithium-ion battery technology are becoming increasingly popular energy sources in residences. As the installation of residential ESS increases, the frequency of fire incidents involving these products will increase.
In response to this new and evolving hazard for the fire service, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) partnered with UL Solutions and Underwriters Laboratory’s (UL’s) Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) to conduct a series of large-scale tests sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Four large-scale tests were conducted: one baseline test and three tests using a mock-up of a residential lithium-ion battery ESS installed in a representative two-car garage. The tests were designed to first determine how gas generated by batteries in thermal runaway impacts compartment fire dynamics. The results were then used to develop considerations for firefighter response to these incidents.
This month, the IAFF and UL Solutions released a report on this project, Considerations for Fire Service Response to Residential Battery Energy Storage System Incidents. The report captures all results from the large-scale tests and discusses several critical size-up and tactical considerations that were developed based on the findings. A few of the key takeaways are summarized below:
- The tests demonstrated the impact of lithium-ion battery involvement on fire growth rate. When responding to these incidents, firefighters should consider rapid fire growth, explosion hazards, and the potential for unburned battery gas in a ventilation-limited fire to increase the flammability of smoke, which can increase risk of backdraft.
- An explosion hazard begins the instant batteries undergo thermal runaway and release gas without burning. The timing and severity of a battery gas explosion is unpredictable. Firefighters are at greatest risk for explosion hazards in the driveway and at doors, windows, and other vent points. The fire apparatus should not be parked in front of the garage door to avoid this hazard.
- There are no reliable visual, thermal imaging, or portable gas meter indicators to confirm battery involvement in a room and contents fire.
- Lithium-ion batteries may go into thermal runaway in the absence of active fire. Thermal runaway can be recognized as distinct white or gray battery gas leaking from the structure and forming low-hanging clouds. However, a structure should not be approached or entered to take gas meter measurements if there is a suspected case of batteries in thermal runaway and there are no indicators of a concurrent fire. In all cases when lithium-ion thermal runaways are suspected, hose lines should be pre-deployed, charged, and ready for operations before ventilation or entry.
- Full structural personal protective equipment (PPE) (Level D ensemble) with full self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) should be donned before performing size-up.
The IAFF, UL Solutions, and FSRI will continue to work on this project to develop training materials. Learn more about this project in the IAFF’s Dec. 18 news release. Access the report on the IAFF’s website.
(Sources: IAFF, FirefighterCloseCalls.com)
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When a 911 call for service is received, dispatch center staff need to make quick decisions about which agency—law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical services (EMS)—will respond to the call. The dispatcher also must decide which type of response is appropriate.
This can be complex, as law enforcement agencies and their partners have implemented a range of alternative interventions to respond to behavioral health calls, such as crisis intervention teams, mobile crisis units, co-response teams, community responder programs, and more.
A call triage protocol—commonly known as a processing guide, decision tree, or flowchart— is one essential tool for guiding the response to these calls. Call processing guides are needed to fully maximize the effectiveness of police-mental health collaborations.
The Council of State Governments Justice Center (CSG Justice Center) recently released a 6-page brief, 911 Dispatch Call Processing Protocols: Key Tools for Coordinating Effective Call Triage, sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
This brief outlines the key components of effective call processing guides. It presents examples from jurisdictions that have developed such protocols and provides guidance on the steps public safety answering points (PSAPs) can take to develop and implement their own call processing guide.
Access the brief on the CSG Justice Center’s website.
(Sources: CSG Justice Center, BJA)
Human trafficking affects millions across the globe. Each January, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) Center for Countering Human Trafficking’s (CCHT) Blue Campaign recognizes National Human Trafficking Prevention Month (HTPM) to raise awareness of and combat this heinous crime.
January 11 marks National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, also known as #WearBlueDay. On this day, Blue Campaign invites individuals and offices to:
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Wear blue, the international color of human trafficking awareness, to state your commitment to help save lives. Need inspiration? See how other organizations have participated.
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Post a photo or video of yourself, or with your colleagues, on your personal or organization’s social media channels using the hashtag #WearBlueDay. You can also download ready-to-use #WearBlueDay graphics and captions to post on your social channels to spread the word. Don’t forget to tag @DHSBlueCampaign.
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Encourage your colleagues, friends, and family to do the same.
First responders are in a unique position to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, due to the many ways they interface with the public. In addition to promoting public awareness and engagement, the Blue Campaign also provides resources and training to help first responders, disaster responders, law enforcement and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking and appropriately respond to possible cases. Visit the Blue Campaign Training page to learn more.
(Source: DHS)
At the beginning of fiscal year 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service launched its Community Navigators Program (CNP) to support leaders in historically underserved communities to find and access funding and partnership support. The CNP connects communities to the appropriate resources for building climate resilience when and where they need it most.
Helping at-risk local communities and Tribes plan for and reduce the risk of wildfire is integral to the CNP’s mission, and having a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is an essential component of reducing wildfire risk.
The Ember Alliance is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, from 3-4:30 p.m. EST, Developing Community Wildfire Protection Plans. This webinar is offered through a partnership between the Ember Alliance, the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, Coalitions and Collaboratives, and the Hispanic Access Foundation as part of the USDA Forest Service’s Community Navigators Program.
In this webinar, participants will learn what a CWPP is and why your community may need one, what the process involves and what the components are, what resources you need to complete a CWPP, cost ranges for contractors versus in-house, how to use CWPPs to support funding for implementation, and more. The webinar will be offered in English and Spanish.
Register for the Jan. 10 webinar on Zoom. For more information and to access many additional planning and funding resources, visit the USDA Forest Service’s Community Navigator Program website at communitynavigators.net.
(Source: USDA Forest Service)
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CISA and FBI release advisory on ALPHV Blackcat affiliates
On Dec. 19, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA), #StopRansomware: ALPHV Blackcat, to disseminate known ALPHV Blackcat affiliates’ tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and indicators of compromise (IOCs) identified through FBI investigations as recently as Dec. 6, 2023. The advisory also provides updates to the FBI FLASH BlackCat/ALPHV Ransomware Indicators of Compromise released April 19, 2022.
ALPHV Blackcat affiliates have extensive networks and experience with ransomware and data extortion operations. FBI investigations, as of September 2023, place the number of compromised entities at over 1000—over half of which are in the United States and approximately 250 outside the United States.
(Source: CISA)
Justice Department disrupts prolific ALPHV/Blackcat ransomware variant
On Dec. 19, the Justice Department (DOJ) announced a disruption campaign against the Blackcat ransomware group — also known as ALPHV or Noberus — that has targeted the computer networks of more than 1,000 victims and caused harm around the world since its inception, including networks that support U.S. critical infrastructure.
Over the past 18 months, ALPHV/Blackcat has emerged as the second most prolific ransomware-as-a-service variant in the world based on the hundreds of millions of dollars in ransoms paid by victims around the world. Due to the global scale of these crimes, multiple foreign law enforcement agencies are conducting parallel investigations.
The disruptions caused by the ransomware variant have affected U.S. critical infrastructure – including government facilities, emergency services, defense industrial base companies, critical manufacturing, and healthcare and public health facilities – as well as other corporations, government entities, and schools.
The FBI developed a decryption tool that allowed FBI field offices across the country and law enforcement partners around the world to offer over 500 affected victims the capability to restore their systems.
Additional victims of Blackcat ransomware are strongly encouraged to contact their local FBI field office at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices for further information and to determine what assistance may be available.
(Source: DOJ)
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FBI, CISA, and ASD’s ACSC release advisory on Play ransomware
On Dec. 18, the FBI, CISA, and the Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD's ACSC) released a joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA), #StopRansomware: Play Ransomware, to disseminate Play ransomware group’s tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and indicators of compromise (IOCs) identified through FBI investigations as recently as October 2023.
Play ransomware actors employ a double-extortion model, encrypting systems after exfiltrating data and have impacted a wide range of businesses and critical infrastructure organizations in North America, South America, Europe, and Australia.
(Source: CISA)
States are lagging in tackling political deepfakes, leaving potential threats unchecked heading into 2024
When it comes to policies tackling the challenges artificial intelligence and deepfakes pose in political campaigns, lawmakers in most states are still staring at a blank screen.
In 2023, only Minnesota, Michigan and Washington enacted laws attempting to tackle the issue, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, which has tracked bills related to the subject. All passed with bipartisan support. Another seven states introduced bills designed to tackle the issue, but those proposals stalled or failed.
And with just weeks before the 2024 election year formally kicks off, proponents of regulating those spaces are warning that states must try to do more: not just because the federal government hasn’t taken action, but because different approaches in different state capitals could provide a strong sense of what works — and what doesn’t.
(Source: NBC News)
Area emergency crews help transport patients from Liberty Hospital amid 'information technology event'
Kansas City, Missouri, area emergency crews assisted Liberty Hospital with transporting patients as an "information technology event" impacted hospital operations Tuesday. Liberty Hospital spokesperson Michelle Manuel said the event began early Tuesday morning, and that the hospital is operating on "standard downtime procedures."
Liberty Hospital reached out to the Mid-America Regional Council's strike team for assistance, said Battalion Chief Mike Hopkins, a spokesperson for the Kansas City Fire Department. Hopkins said KCFD is part of the strike team that sends help when it's activated.
KCFD, the Lee's Summit Fire Department, Fort Osage Fire Protection District, Central Jackson County Fire District are all assisting with transporting patients.
(Source: KSHB Kansas City)
Note: The InfoGram will not be published on Thursday, December 28 due to the federal holidays. It will resume on Thursday, Jan. 4.
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The InfoGram is distributed weekly to provide members of the Emergency Services Sector with information concerning the protection of their critical infrastructures. |
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