August 2007

FOURTH ANNUAL HOMELAND SECURITY NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Press Release
August 31, 2007
Contact: DHS Press Office, (202) 282-8010

MORE THAN 1,700 ORGANIZATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN FOURTH ANNUAL HOMELAND SECURITY NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Record Number of Coalition Members to Host Events and Activities Nationwide

WASHINGTON, DC: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that more than 1,700 national, regional, state, and local organizations will support the department by participating in National Preparedness Month 2007. This campaign occurs annually in September, and encourages Americans to prepare for all types of emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools, and communities. DHS promotes individual emergency preparedness through the Ready Campaign and the department's Citizen Corps Program throughout the year.

"Too many individuals remain in a state of denial when it comes to personal preparedness," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. "Able-bodied Americans need to be prepared to take care of themselves and their families after an emergency, so that first responders can focus on those who need assistance most. With the help of our coalition members, we encourage Americans to get an emergency supply kit, make a family communications plan, and be informed about the different types of emergencies that may affect them."

During September, Coalition Members will share preparedness information with their members, customers, employees, and communities. National Preparedness Month activities taking place throughout September (for a complete list of events, visit www.ready.gov) include:

- In New York City, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will kick off National Preparedness Month with the New York City Citizen Corps Council at seven locations throughout the five boroughs. Various city and community partners will be stationed near major transit hubs to distribute copies of the Ready New York pocket-size preparedness guide, part of OEM's Ready New York Campaign, and educate New Yorkers about ways to prepare for emergencies. Ready New York ads will appear during the month on subways, local newspapers, bus shelters, supermarket circulars, and sanitation trucks. Later in September, OEM will debut its much-anticipated Ready New York for kids guide, which will be distributed to all New York City public school students.

- In an effort to prepare citizens for emergencies, Be Ready Alabama is coordinating youth "Be Ready Camps" focused on building preparedness skills and a "Be Ready Sunday" for faith-based organizations across the state to deliver preparedness messages. In addition, there will be a statewide event called "Be Ready Day" which will educate and train individuals on preparing for emergencies, volunteer opportunities in the communities, and first responders' preparedness and response capabilities.

- Several California cities including San Diego, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara will host regional business preparedness events during National Preparedness Month's Business Preparedness Week. These events will offer California business owners and managers guidance on how to develop a business emergency plan that can help secure their employees, operations and assets.

- To promote emergency preparedness in the workplace, Wal-Mart will broadcast Ready Campaign public service announcements on its internal television and radio network in all its United States stores throughout the month of September.

Senate Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Joe Lieberman and Ranking Member Susan Collins, and House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson and Ranking Member Peter King are serving as honorary Congressional co-chairs of National Preparedness Month 2007 and are leading the effort on Capitol Hill to increase public awareness on the importance of emergency preparedness.

For the first time, National Preparedness Month is focusing on different areas of emergency preparedness.

* September 1-8: Back-to-School (Ready Kids)

* September 9-15: Business preparedness (Ready Business)

* September 16-22: Multicultural preparedness (Listo)

* September 23-30: Home and family preparedness, including pets, older Americans and individuals with disabilities and special needs (Ready America)

The purpose of National Preparedness Month is to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. Although significant progress has been made, there is still a long way to go to ensure that all Americans are prepared. A national survey conducted by The Advertising Council on behalf of Homeland Security in July found that 66 percent of Americans believe it is "very important" for individuals to prepare and 54 percent report having taken some steps to prepare. The study also found progress on emergency preparedness among specific subgroups, including: Hispanic Americans; men, particularly fathers; and employers.

Ready is a national public service advertising campaign produced by The Advertising Council in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security. The Ready Campaign is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. Individuals interested in more information about family, business and community preparedness can visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY to receive free materials. Citizen Corps brings together community, emergency and government leaders to involve community members in emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery. Through Citizen Corps and its program partners and affiliates, individuals can find training and volunteer opportunities to support first responders in an emergency. To learn more and to get involved, contact your nearest Citizen Corps Council by visiting www.citizencorps.gov.

National Preparedness Month events and activities are voluntary. DHS is not financially obligated to any National Preparedness Month Coalition Member. For more information about National Preparedness Month, visit www.ready.gov.

Al Qaeda has an active plot to hit the West

'We Are Going to Get Hit Again'

The head of the National Counterterrorism Center speaks out on Al Qaeda's plans, America?s readiness?and the nature of the war on terror.

Web exclusive
By Mark Hosenball and Jeffrey Bartholet
Newsweek

Updated: 4:14 p.m. CT Aug 27, 2007

Aug. 27, 2007 - Al Qaeda has an active plot to hit the West. The United States knows about it but doesn?t have enough tactical detail to issue a precise warning or raise the threat level, says Vice Admiral (ret.) John Scott Redd, who heads the government?s National Counterterrorism Center. In an interview at his headquarters near Washington, D.C., Redd told Newsweek?s Mark Hosenball and Jeffrey Bartholet that the country is better prepared than ever to counter such threats. But he also believes another successful terror attack on the U.S. homeland is inevitable.... Article Continues here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20466414/site/newsweek/

Cave-in kills three rescuers, halts underground rescue effort

17 Aug 2007 - 08:00CDT

Cave-in kills three rescuers, halts underground effort to reach Crandall Canyon's trapped miners

HUNTINGTON -- A catastrophic failure deep inside central Utah's Crandall Canyon Mine killed three rescue workers, injured six others and cast grave doubt on whether a rescue mission to find six miners since Aug. 6 will be allowed to resume.

Those killed and injured Thursday night were part of a perilous operation to find the missing miners, who were caught in a similar failure 12 days ago. They were burrowing through a rubble-choked tunnel when they were caught in seismic "bump," which can cause the walls of a mine tunnel to implode, at about 6:35 p.m., said Dirk Fillpot, a spokesperson for the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

Even as he hailed the dead and injured as heroes, a grim Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr. strongly questioned when, or whether the suspended underground portion of rescue efforts should be resumed any time soon.

"It has gone from a tragedy to a catastrophe," he told CNN early today. "We shouldn't allow another person in the underground mine until we can insure their safety.

"We expect to become smarter and better and safer [in rescue attempts]. No one wants the lives of these heroes to be lost in vain," Huntsman added.

Huntsman said he would demand MSHA and mine owner Robert Murray bar resumption of the underground rescue work unless there are "certain guarantees that there will be worker safety." Article continues at: Salt Lake City Tribune: http://www.sltrib.com/ci_6643542?source=rv?source=rv?source=rv

Ten Rescue Miners Transported to Hospital From Utah Rescue Site

22:00CDT - 16 Aug 2007

Ten Rescue Miners Transported to Hospital Following Incident

HUNTINGTON, UTAH: According to emergency service sources, ten rescue workers have been transported from the Crandall Canyon mine to several area hospitals. The victims were apparently injured as the result of a "bump" or shifting of the mine walls or ceiling, according to a Mine Safety and Health Administration spokesperson.

The extent of the rescue miner's injuries was not immediately clear, but EMT personnel were seen undertaking CPR on at least one of the patients. Preliminary reports from one hospital suggested that there were both critical and serious trauma injuries being brought to hospitals from the mine. At least six ambulances and one aeromedical helicopter were dispatched to the scene of the incident.

Few other official details were available at the time of this report, and mine owners and other officials were not immediately available for comment.

Watch EmergencyNet News for additional information as it becomes available...

Hundreds may Be Dead in Peru Quake (Video)

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Hundreds May Be Dead in Peru Quake Associated Press - (APTN) Aug. 16, 2007. 08:26 AM EST Peru's National Civil Defense Institute says the casualty count from last night's earthquake has reached 337 dead and more than 800 injured after a strong earthquake. (Aug. 16, 2007)

Death Toll Rises in Peru to Over 300

09:30 CDT - 16 Aug 2007

Death Toll Rises in Peru; Difficulty in Reaching Trapped Victims

LIMA, PERU: A powerful earthquake has devastated several Peruvian cities, killing at least 337 people and forcing the government to declare a state of emergency on Thursday.

The quake was the deadliest to hit the country in nearly 40 years. As many as 1,000 people were injured and tens of thousands of panicked residents flocked onto the streets fearing more tremors, after the 7.9-magnitude quake rattled the country for two terrifying minutes late Wednesday.

The towns of Pisco, Chincha, and other areas in Peru's southern coastal region were reported to be in ruins after the biggest earthquake to hit the South American nation in decades. Buildings left standing had their windows smashed and trees were toppled.

In the coastal city of Ica, 300 kilometers (190 miles) south of Lima, the Senor de Luren church collapsed during a service, killing at least four worshippers and injuring dozens. The nearby city of Pisco was also hit hard with many people killed in their homes as roofs caved in.

Officials had hoped that the death toll would be contained, but the rising number of dead and injured overnight made it clear that the quake was a major disaster.

The government declared its highest state of emergency as authorities grappled with collapsed buildings and cut power and telephone lines.

Hospitals around the country were put on high alert amid predictions the death toll would rise and the health ministry made an emergency appeal for blood donations...

-- Source: Agence France Presse, 16 Aug 2007. Article continues at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070816/wl_afp/peruquake_13

7.5 Quakes Rock Peru; At least 17 Dead

22:40 CDT - 15 Aug 2007

At least 17 Dead in Peru; Rescue Efforts Continue

Update 3 -- (EmergencyNet News): Peru's Cable news station Canal N reported that the 7.9 magnitude quake had caused a church to collapse in the city of Ica south of Lima, killing 17 people and injuring 70. EmergencyNet News is receiving several reports of building collapses and a high potential for people to be buried in the rubble. Few confirmed reports from the rescue services have been received at the time of this situation-report, but media and witness accounts suggest that the death toll may rise.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami warning for the coasts of Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. A tsunami watch was issued for the rest of Central America and Mexico. It also issued a tsunami advisory for Hawaii. The center later canceled the warnings and the watches, but it said the quake had caused a tsunami of unknown size.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake hit at 18:40 p.m. (19:40 p.m. EDT) about 90 miles southeast of Lima at a depth of about 25 miles. Four strong aftershocks ranging from magnitudes of 5.4 to 5.9 were felt afterwards, the USGS said. The latest USGS report suggests that the quake was actually 7.9 on the Richter scale.

Watch EmergencyNet News for additional information on this still emerging story...

Update 2 -- Tsunami Warning Issued For S. America

WASHINGTON, DC: A tsunami warning has been issued for Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Colombia after two powerful earthquakes struck Peru late on Wednesday, said the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii.... Watch Emergencynet News for more details, as they become available...

Magnitude 7.5 - NEAR THE COAST OF CENTRAL PERU

2007 August 15 23:41:20 UTC

Magnitude 7.5

Date-Time Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 23:41:20 UTC

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 18:41:20 PM at epicenter

Location 12.226°S, 76.649°W

Depth 178.6 km (111.0 miles)

Region NEAR THE COAST OF CENTRAL PERU

Distances 45 km (30 miles) ESE of LIMA, Peru

145 km (90 miles) NNW of Chincha Alta, Peru

160 km (100 miles) W of Huancayo, Peru

165 km (100 miles) SE of Huacho, Peru

Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 21.4 km (13.3 miles); depth +/- 7.5 km (4.7 miles)

Parameters Nst=146, Nph=146, Dmin=>999 km, Rmss=0.78 sec, Gp=148°,

M-type=body magnitude (Mb), Version=6

Source USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)

Event ID us2007gbcv

-- Source: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2007gbcv.php

NYPD Warns of "Homegrown" Terror Threat

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NYPD Report Warns of Homegrown Terrorists Associated Press - (APTN) Aug. 15, 2007. 12:28 PM EST People in the U.S. who quietly band together and adopt radical ways - not just established overseas terrorist groups like al-Qaida - pose a serious threat to the American's security, a new police analysis has concluded. (Aug. 15, 2007)

Fuel Tanker Suicide Bombers Kill 175

22:56 BST, Tuesday August 14, 2007

Suicide Bombings Kill 175 In Iraq

More than 175 people have been killed and 200 injured in suicide tanker bombings in northern Iraq.

The massacre was caused by three suicide bombers driving fuel tankers in one of the worst single incidents in the four year war.

Iraq hit by more suicide bombingsIraqi army Captain Mohammad al-Jaad said at least 175 people were killed in the attacked on residential compounds which are home to the minority Yazidi sect.

He confirmed at least another 200 people were injured in the bombings in the Kahtaniya, al-Jazeera and Tal Uzair areas close to the Syrian border.

The mayor of Sinjar, Dakheel Qassim Hasoun said US aircraft were helping to ferry the wounded to hospitals....

Story continues at: http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1279899,00.html

NYPD Taking Extra Precautions after Unsubstantiated Radiological Threat

10 Aug 2007 - 23:30CDT

NYPD taking extra precautions after unsubstantiated terror threat

NEW YORK, NY: Authorities were taking extra counterterrorism precautions Friday in response to what they said was an unsubstantiated radiological threat to the city.

Officials said they had not changed the city's terror alert status in response to online chatter mentioning a truck packed with radioactive material. But police deployed extra radiological sensors on street, water and air patrols, and were stopping vehicles at checkpoints in lower Manhattan and around the city.

Deputy Police Commissioner Paul J. Browne called the measures "strictly precautionary." He said an Israeli Web site reported that online posts were made following a video released Sunday featuring an American member of al-Qaida threatening foreign diplomats and embassies across the Islamic world.

"We are closely monitoring the situation," said Homeland Security Department spokesman Russ Knocke. "There continues to be no credible information telling us that there's a threat to the homeland at this time."

The FBI also said there was no credible threat. "Federal, state and local authorities do not believe that this is going to result in something," said state homeland security head Michael Balboni.

-- Source: NY POST/AP: can be found at: http://breakingnews.nypost.com/dynamic/stories/N/NY_POLICE_PRECAUTIONS_BAOL-?SITE=NYNYP&SECTION=HOME

EARTHQUAKE REPORT - Magnitude 7.4 - JAVA, INDONESIA

EARTHQUAKE REPORT - Magnitude 7.4 - JAVA, INDONESIA

2007 August 8 17:04:57 UTC

Magnitude 7.4

Date-Time Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 17:04:57 (UTC) = Coordinated Universal Time

Thursday, August 9, 2007 at 12:04:57 AM = local time at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones

Location 5.924°S, 107.741°E

Depth 282.1 km (175.3 miles)

Region JAVA, INDONESIA

Distances 110 km (70 miles) ENE of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
115 km (70 miles) N of Bandung, Java, Indonesia
130 km (80 miles) NW of Cirebon, Java, Indonesia
150 km (90 miles) NE of Sukabumi, Java, Indonesia

Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 10 km (6.2 miles); depth +/- 19.6 km (12.2 miles)

Parameters Nst= 40, Nph= 40, Dmin=553.8 km, Rmss=1.31 sec, Gp= 36°,

M-type=body magnitude (Mb), Version=6

Source USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
Event ID us2007fubd

-- Source: USGS

FBI Urges Vigilance With 9/11 Anniversary in Sight

August 06, 2007 5:04 PM

FBI Urges Vigilance With 9/11 Anniversary in Sight

ABCNews.com - Richard Esposito Reports:

A new FBI alert warns law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant for any "suspicious pre-operational" activity this summer, but noted that while the upcoming sixth anniversary of Sept. 11 might be an occasion for al Qaeda propaganda, fundamentalist terrorists have shown no tendency to use anniversary dates as the rationale for attacks.

"The anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks serves as a focal point for propaganda, but al-Qa'ida previously has not timed its operations to specific dates. However, al-Qa'ida has waited until attack preparations are complete," the bulletin released Friday said.

The bulletin also knocked down (downplayed) recent published reports of a possible suicide bomb attack on the White House this summer.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/08/fbi-urges-vigil.html

New Al-Qaeda Tape Targets U.S. Embassies and Consulates

05 Aug 2007 - 09:00 CDT

Adam Gaddahn in new Al Qaeda tape says "We shall continue to target you, at home and abroad"

CYBERSPACE: Those are the words of Orange County's Adam Gaddahn, a.k.a. Azzam al Amriki (file photo, left), in a new hour-plus video message, announced Thursday by As Sahab, Al Qaeda's media production group. In the 1 hour 17 minute video, which takes the form of a documentary, Gaddahn says that Al Qaeda will continue to target the US both at home and overseas. He singles out embassies and consulates as specific targets.

Gaddahn says:

"As for our message to the Americans and their Crusader allies, it is this: The amount of respect we have for your international law is even less than the respect you hold for defined shari'ah, and our observance of it is comparable to your observance of sharia'h. How can we comply with a law which contradicts divine law in whole and in part? How can we recognize a law which states that the Embassy or Consulate is for all intents and purposes an inviolable fortress which the host country has no right to enter or monitor and when our sharia'h commands us to liberate every handspan of Islamic land occupied by the unbelievers?"

He continues:

"How can we comply with a law whose inequities and double standards are more obvious than the noonday sun? The diplomatic immunity and freedom from arrest and prosecution behind which you hide and which international law theoretically sanctifies apparently didn?t apply to Mullah Abdul Salam, Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, in Islamabad, whom you forced out of Pakistan so you could arrest him and send him off for torture and humiliation in the dungeons of Guantanamo Bay? Nor is the right of states to establish foreign missions in friendly states which your law is supposed to uphold given to the Islamic Emirate whose Embassies and Consulates in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and Pakistan, you've forcibly closed down through threats and intimidation."

Later in the video, Gaddahn makes explicit threats against the United States and US interests in both the homeland and overseas.

"Therefore, we shall continue to target you, at home and abroad, just as you target us, at home and abroad, and these spy dens, and military command and control centers, from which you plotted your aggression against Afghanistan, and Iraq, and which still provide vital moral, military, material, and logistical support to the Crusade, shall continue to be legitimate targets for brave, Muslims, like our martyred brother Umar Uthman, until and unless you heed our demands. Stop the Crusade and leave the Muslims alone."

A more detailed description and analysis will be uploaded shortly. Click here to visit LauraMansfield.com

Federal Officials Call For New Bridge Inspections

02 Aug 2007 - 22:00 CDT

Federal Officials Say Bridge Inspections Should Be Undertaken

MINNEAPOLIS, MN: Thursday evening, federal officials alerted states to immediately inspect all similar-type bridges [to that which collapsed in Minneapolis] within their borders -- a total of perhaps 700 bridges.

"We don't know what caused this span to collapse, but the secretary [of transportation, Mary Peters] wants to make sure that states are taking every possible precaution," Department of Transportation spokesman Brian Turmail told The Associated Press.

Officials in several states had previously said that they planned to reinspect their bridges in light of the collapse.

In 2005, the federal government rated the Minnesota bridge as "structurally deficient," a status that does not require that a bridge be closed or replaced.

"We know that the bridge was inspected in 2005 and 2006 by state inspectors, and while there was some stress and surface concerns noted, they didn't identify a need for the bridge to be replaced," said Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

More than 73,000 bridges were rated as "structurally deficient" in 2006, while an additional 80,000 were considered "functionally obsolete," according to federal transportation statistics (Continues)... -- Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=3438334&page=1&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

U.S. DOT Reference:

FHWA 12-07 -- "U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters Calls on States to Immediately Inspect All Steel Arch Truss Bridges"
http://www.dot.gov/affairs/fhwa1207.htm

Update: I-35W Bridge Collapse

02 Aug 2007 -- 10:00 hrs. CDT

I-35W Bridge Collapse - Official Webpage

MINNEAPOLIS, MNB: The City of Minneapolis extends its condolences to those who lost loved ones in the I-35W bridge collapse. All available City resources are being directed to the scene...

Local emergency crews tell EmergencyNet News that at least 15 rescue/recovery boats are on the Mississippi river this morning and several dive teams are expected to commence search/diving operations as soon as it can be ascertained that it is safe to do so. Several parts of the bridge are said by authorities to be "very unstable" and there are river currents that must be contended with during the recovery operation.

Minneapolis Public information page: http://www.ci.mpls.mn.us/news/20070801redcross.asp

Minneapolis Emergency Preparedness page: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/emergency/

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN Interstate Collapse Reported

Wed 8/1/2007 21:21 PM CDT

Minneapolis Mayor Says Six Dead In Collapse

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has confirmed that six people have died in the collapse of a bridge over the Mississippi River.

Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis said that they had received 22 "non-critical" patients and six critical patients. Other patients were taken to additional nearby hospitals, EMS sources told EmergencyNet News via e-mail.

20:00CDT - 01 Aug 2007

Minneapolis Bridge Collapses, Sending Cars Into Water Below

By The Associated Press/WCCO/WFTC/KSTP-TV

MINNEAPOLIS -- The entire span of an interstate bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed during evening rush hour Wednesday, sending vehicles, tons of concrete and twisted metal crashing into the water. All four lanes of the Interstate 35W Mississippi River bridge near University Avenue has collapsed into the river and onto businesses underneath the highway at 18:05 p.m. on Wednesday evening.

The bridge (at University), was under construction/repair when it broke into several huge sections.

It was not clear how many people were injured. More than two dozen people were reported injured and there is one or more fatalities reported at the scene.

A burning truck and a school bus clung to one slanted slab, while at least eight cars and a truck were submerged in the river. The vehicles dropped around 60 feet during the collapse.

Local television stations captured video of injured people being carried up the riverbank. There was no official word on injuries, but dozens of rescue vehicles and personnel were there. Rescue divers and boats have also been dispatched to the scene.

Homeland Security Implications

"There were two lanes of traffic, bumper to bumper, at the point of the collapse. Those cars did go into the river," Minneapolis Police Lt. Amelia Huffman. "At this point there is nothing to suggest that this was anything other than a structural collapse."

The Homeland Security Department had received no indications Wednesday night that the collapse was related to an act of terrorism, department spokesman Russ Knocke said in Washington.

"At this time, there's no indication of a nexus to terrorism," Knocke said.

MN Press Conference

Governor Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety Michael Campion and Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak will speak to the press at 20:45 p.m. at the Emergency Operations Center located at Minneapolis City Hall.

Live Coverage

Live coverage of the bridge collapse from WCCO...

Watch Live Coverage of the Bridge Collapse from KARE 11-TV..Click here

myFOX9.com LIVE STREAMING CHANNELS...Click here