Edmg 340 wk 5

WEEK5EDMG340.docx

W5: Scenario Module 1 Questions EDMG 340

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Scenario Module 1 Questions – Week 5:

Based on the information provided in Module 1 of the Scenario , write a discussion post concerning the issues listed below.

For one of the categories listed, write an initial response to the primary question and as many of the additional questions as you wish (at least one, if any exist).

** REPLY TO A MINIMUM OF TWO CLASSMATES' POSTS **

Alert and Planning

Primary Question:

1. What planning efforts should occur at the local, county, state, tribal and Federal jurisdictions pre-event, given the information that has been provided?

Additional Questions:

2. How should international law enforcement coordination and cooperation be conducted?

3. Who should the OHP, the JTTF, and the FBI provide information beyond just law enforcement agencies about the potential threat?

4. Who should be responsible for coordinating and bringing the different preparedness entities together to ensure proper information is shared?

5. What responsibilities do the local, county, tribal, and state jurisdictions have pre-incident for preparedness activities for the communities that a WMD event could occur?

Intelligence and Information Sharing

Primary Question:

6. What communication methods would be used to share intelligence and information with potential response agencies and critical infrastructure partners?

Additional Questions:

7. How would the Patriot Act be applied to the current situation with the information that has been provided?

8. Who would determine what information could be shared with local, county tribal, and private sector partners?

9. Who would develop and disseminate appropriate classified/unclassified products?

10. Which Core Capabilities of PPD-8 and the National Preparedness Goal would /should be implemented related to prevention and protection?

Screening, Search and Detection

Primary Question:

11. What methods would/should the different agencies utilize to identify, discover, or locate threats and hazards through active and passive surveillance and search procedures (like the license plate reader)?

Additional Questions:

12. What types of detection devices could be used to identify potential CBRNE threats using technical, non-technical, intrusive, or non-intrusive, and standoff mean's?

13. What types of preemptive measures/operations could immediately be placed into effect to locate persons and networks associated with an imminent terrorist threat or act?

14. How would the coordination of CBRNE search/detection operations in multiple locations be conducted? Who would be responsible for this type of operation?

15. What type of training should first responders receive to help them respond to a potential CBRNE threat?

16. Should officers wait for the FBI to search the vehicle, or should they proceed independently? Why?

Emergency Management

Primary Question:

17. Based upon the current scenario information, which Emergency Support Functions (ESF's) should be activated? What benefits will come from each?

EXAMPLE BELOW

I chose to answer the screening, search, and detection questions as CBRN was a huge part of my job in the Air Force and I have some serious quarrels with the way some of the CBRN stuff was handled. Look forward to hearing what all of you thought!

Screening, Search and Detection

Primary Question:

11. What methods would/should the different agencies utilize to identify, discover, or locate threats and hazards through active and passive surveillance and search procedures (like the license plate reader)?

License plate readers are an excellent tool for this exact kind of search. You can also use federal level “big brother” type monitoring and facial recognition to screen more layers of personnel. I will say they need to be careful about what networks and communication chains they are using to disseminate information between the different agencies and departments. If they are using an open or public domain communication chain that can be easily infiltrated, the UA can see that they have information on their vehicle and will quickly get rid of said vehicle, creating a huge waste of time searching for this vehicle as well as alerting the organization how close they are to locating them.

Additional Questions:

12. What types of detection devices could be used to identify potential CBRNE threats using technical, non-technical, intrusive, or non-intrusive, and standoff mean's?

First of all, the CBRN instructor in me is screaming at some of the protocols discussed in this scenario. Rule number one when responding to anything CBRN: If you are not absolutely 100% positive about what the substance or agent is, you go in Level A fully encapsulating and you do not go within 100 feet of any facility suspected of CBRN material without full gear. There are chemical agents in today’s world that have severe and unheard-of effects. We do not know what these substances are or what they consist of. Also, we know that there are noxious odors and potential chemical precursors involved with this vehicle so why are we focusing on radiation detection equipment. I think some radiation detection equipment is good such as Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) or a Handheld Survey Meter to check for radiation, but we do not need an isotope identifier is we are not 100% sure there is radiation involved. This is a waste of resources and money. Our main threat is chemical, we have intel of that. We need detection equipment such as pH paper which is easy to use to even spectroscopy and chemical Ramen identifiers. Equipment that detects chemical warfare and common lethal chemical substances that warns those using the detector when hazardous vapors are around would be the most ideal.

13. What types of preemptive measures/operations could immediately be placed into effect to locate persons and networks associated with an imminent terrorist threat or act?

I feel all the measures taken in the scenario are efficient. Being a domestic threat there really is not a need to involve military organizations at this moment. Alerting all military installations of the potential hazards would be an important step, but involving military for a domestic threat when there are still foreign threats would be a little conflicting. I believe warning the public this early would just tip off the organization that you are aware of their intentions and are actively looking for them so that probably would not be a wise decision.

14. How would the coordination of CBRNE search/detection operations in multiple locations be conducted? Who would be responsible for this type of operation?

The federal level CBRNE teams would have control over this situation seeing how it is a national threat and terrorism is involved. Oklahoma’s CBRNE teams would also be involved but would be under the control of federal level CBRNE teams and investigators under the FBI. These operations would involve sending CBRNE task forces out to the various locations to handle the scene since this involves a criminal investigation. Seeing how we do not have jurisdiction in Mexico those operations would be handled under the Mexican government and on their terms. Careful consideration should be made in involving Mexico’s responders as we do not know who is involved with this group and who is not.

15. What type of training should first responders receive to help them respond to a potential CBRNE threat?

All of the training. There is never enough training involved when it comes to CBRNE type response. These agents are designed to be extremely lethal very quickly. HAZMAT training up to the technician level should be included as well as criminal investigation crime scene handling. When it comes to responding to these CBRNE sites, it is vital the responders and investigators do not disrupt anything on the scene as this can cause the crime scene to become compromised leading to a dismissal of a criminal case.

16. Should officers wait for the FBI to search the vehicle, or should they proceed independently? Why?

Officers should absolutely wait for FBI members to arrive. The officers likely do not know the full extent of what this case entails and could run the risk of potentially compromising the criminal case. They more than likely do not have the equipment to safely handle any potential CBRNE agents that may be in or around the vehicle. The officers should reach through their chain of command and have them contact the federal jurisdiction to see how they want the officers to proceed.

I choose the following questions:

Intelligence and Information Sharing

Primary Question:

6. What communication methods would be used to share intelligence and information with potential response agencies and critical infrastructure partners?

-Internal communications such as two-Way radios, satellite phones, mobile phones, or amateur radios can be utilized to share information across different agencies. Internal infrastructure networks can be utilized as well to share information across one another. If the agencies are close enough to one another in person meetings and conversation can be had to share the valuable knowledge.

7. How would the Patriot Act be applied to the current situation with the information that has been provided?

-The Patriot Act could be applied in the current situation as the Department of Homeland Security access the data mining regarding the building and about anyone who has been in or out of it. They will also be collecting CCTV footage and additional information about the people inside the budling. The Patriot Act allows the agency to conduct the above act mentioned prior without any additional approval.

8. Who would determine what information could be shared with local, county tribal, and private sector partners?

The Department of Homeland Security along with SSA's is responsible for what information could be shared with local, county tribal and private sector partners. The Department of Homeland Security works with the systems such as its internal system, The Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN), other critical infrastructure networks, and COP in order to develop a situational awareness.

SCENARIOMODULE1.docx

SCENARIO MODULE 1: Event Build Up

For several years, an organization known as the Universal Adversary (UA) has acted as an umbrella organization for terrorist organizations. They have perpetrated state-sponsored attacks against the United States and other western nations. The UA consists of individuals dedicated to achieving their goals using their terror skills to make political statements and protest actions by governments and industry to further their political interests.

The UA has continually sought out opportunities to commit violent acts in the United States and other western nations to undermine established governments. Some of these attacks have taken the form of single individuals attacking targets of opportunities using small arm weapons and sometimes with the use of small explosives in the form of pipe bombs. On other occasions, the UA has used Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) devices that are much more sophisticated to create mass casualty incidents.

On March 1, 2021, the United States received information about the whereabouts of a top UA leader. The decision was made to conduct a pre-emptive drone strike against the UA leader while driving in a vehicle. Appropriate officials gave the decision to mitigate this high-value target the green light. Subsequently, the UA leader was killed in a drone strike on March 2, 2021.

On March 3, 2021, the UA rhetoric of retaliation began with increased social media platforms posting statements that “their enemies would pay." One of the statements was very specific: "the United States government could not protect its citizens from imminent attack," and the attack is forthcoming.

On March 3, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) sent out an alert to all of 50 states, territories, US embassies and military reservations that the UA has threatened retaliation. The alert recommended that increased security postures be implemented, CCTV's system kept operational, suspicious activity be reported to local law enforcement authorities and the counter-terrorism offices of each state. The alert referenced the United States Patriot Act that was enacted in October 2001.

DHS and the FBI sent a specific message to the counter-terrorism centers across the nation. The statement advised that increased operational capabilities require information and intelligence sharing from the local level and that additional law enforcement training would be forthcoming. If local law enforcement identified suspects related to potential attacks, they would need to inform the DHS and the FBI immediately.

All 50 states, territories, U.S. embassies, etc., took appropriate action and shared the messaging with state, county elected and appointed leaders, emergency management, law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical service providers, hospitals, public health departments, etc.

On March 30, 2021, a posting on a web blog site frequented by UA extremists stated that an "attack is imminent". The UA has asked their operatives to identify and attack soft targets and critical infrastructure in the United States.

Based on previous actions by the UA, there is a strong likelihood that some sort of UA attack is likely being planned.

A year has passed, and no attacks have occurred against United States interests. Increases in security measures at airports and the implementation of No-Fly Lists and Real ID requirements have made it more difficult for terrorists to get access via the private sector airline industry into the United States.

From December 1, 2021 - February 1, 2022, residents of a community in Juarez, Mexico, started making calls to the local police about noxious odors emanating in the area. The local police took no action, and the reports went uninvestigated.

On February 7, 2022, The Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC) reached out to the Oklahoma Counter-Terrorism Center and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. The ACTIC advised they had received information and intelligence from an informant in Mexico who indicated a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) attack was being planned by a Potential Threat Element (PTE), and that the target was somewhere in Oklahoma. The informant couldn't provide dates, times, or locations of the attack, but the informant did state that the staging area for the terrorist group is in Juarez, Mexico.

The information provided by the informant is supplied to the Department of Homeland Security. After considerable analysis, a determination is made to initiate an alert to state emergency managers, law enforcement, fire, EMS and others about the credible information.

On February 10, 2022, the Federal Police in Mexico is contacted by the FBI and DHS about the informant's information. FBI agents in El Paso, TX are assigned to meet with their Federal Police counterparts in Mexico to investigate the reported information from the informant further. The Federal Police in Juarez have actively started to engage with the local police to see if any suspicious activities were reported or arrests made that could be associated with terrorist activity. As the Federal Police are conducting their investigation, they discover reports about noxious odors in a specific area of Juarez.

On February 11, 2022, the FBI meets their Federal Police counterparts in Juarez, Mexico. The Federal Police inform the FBI of the reports of the noxious odors. The team then goes to the reported location where the foul odors were reported to be coming from and discovers a large uninhabited building. There are still lingering smells in the area that are suspicious, and a decision is made not to enter the building without proper HAZMAT equipment.

HAZMAT teams arrive, and proper PPE is issued to all law enforcement personnel. Entry into the building is obtained, and subsequently, from the search, what appears to be precursor materials for a potential chemical agent is discovered. In addition, in a trash pile, investigators locate a hand-written receipt for the purchase of a vehicle from a private citizen who lives in El Paso, Texas. Investigators also discovered an advertisement for the sale of the vehicle that included a picture with its license plate in full view. The FBI agents immediately inform other agents, the Texas State Police, the County Sheriff's office and the El Paso Police Department of the discovery. A task force is established to further investigate the sale of the vehicle and the precursor materials located in the building in Juarez. A Be On the Look Out (BOLO) alert is distributed to all U.S. law enforcement agencies and state counter-terrorism operation centers for the vehicle in question.

The FBI begins data-mining all information about the building in Juarez, and the vehicle from El Paso. The Mexican Federal Police and FBI agents began to search for any witnesses, CCTV footage, and other information in Juarez about the people occupying the building.

On February 12, 2022, during shift briefing, the vehicle description and license plate number were provided to Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers. The officers are advised that the vehicle could contain some sort of terrorist group and that they should be considered armed and dangerous. Additionally, the officers are advised that the vehicle may contain some sort of CBRNE type of weapon or components of a weapon. Officers are advised to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if they conduct a search of the vehicle, and if they have been trained and have the proper detection equipment, they should use it prior to conducting a physical search. Officers are advised that, if possible, the search of the vehicle should be eyesight only and that if the vehicle is stopped, an FBI forensics team would be deployed.

As a result of Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) 8: National Preparedness, all OHP officers have been issued PPE in the form of Level C capability. The enforcement officers are also trained and equipped with the following radiological detection devices to serve their populations better.

· Personal Radiation Detector (PRD)

· Handheld Survey Meter

· Radiation Isotope Identification Device (RIID)

Key Issues

· Intelligence and law enforcement agencies identify specific information related to potential terrorist attacks against the United States.

· Through ongoing intelligence and information gathering techniques, the FBI has identified credible information that precursor agents for a chemical weapon have been found in a building in Juarez, Mexico.

· Warnings are sent to the Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF), state counter terrorism fusion centers, and critical infrastructure security agencies.

· The Oklahoma Highway Patrol office has briefed the situation to their officers in the field of a suspect vehicle, color, license plate number, etc. There is suspicion that the vehicle may contain a Weapon of Mass Destruction.

· It has been recommended that law enforcement agencies and critical infrastructure security forces start using screening, search, and detection devices.