Uasi update jan 2012

A quarterly newsletter of the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region.

March 2012

Volume 2, Issue 1

The mission of the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region (MBHSR) is to build and sustain region-wide enhanced capabilities in order to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the Region from all hazards, including acts of terrorism, natural and manmade disasters.

Shelter Operations Training gravity of shelter operations while discussing NYC shelter operations during Hurricane Irene. David Schwarz, from the State of Massachusetts Animal Response Team (SMART), educated the group about animal preparedness and pet sheltering.

CONTACT US For article submissions and feedback about UASI Update, or general questions about the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region feel free to contact us: Office of Emergency Management 617-635-1400 oem@cityofboston.gov

MBHSR JPOC Superintendent-in-Chief, Daniel Linskey (Boston Police) Chief, Daniel O’Leary (Brookline Police) Chief, Gerald Reardon (Cambridge Fire) Captain, Edward Martin (Chelsea Police) Chief, David Butler (Everett Fire) Lieutenant, Robert Gillan (Quincy Police) Chief, Eugene Doherty (Revere Fire) Thomas Graney (Somerville Fire, retired) Chief, Paul Flanagan (Winthrop Fire)

Robert Van Pelt, of the NYC Office of Emergency Management, addresses attendees at the training.

Following these remarks, participants were able to view a shelter setup and explore a shelter trailer. For many, this was their first introduction to mass sheltering. As the training came to an end, participants left with a greater understanding of shelter operations. Without realizing it, members of the Boston Center for Youth and Families (BCYF) were soon going to use this knowledge firsthand.

The Region hosted a Shelter Operations Training for regional first responders, emergency management personnel, human service providers and volunteers at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. This training event presented the opportunity to learn about shelter resources and equipment On February 8th, just three weeks following that is available should the need arise. the Shelter Operation Training, over 40 in Boston’s Chinatown This all-day seminar offered participants a residents better understanding of how to provide for the neighborhood were displaced from their needs of shelter residents during situations homes due to structural issues with the where emotions are heightened. Jarrett building. As a result of this displacement Barrios, CEO of the American Red Cross of OEM, in collaboration with BCYF, opened a Eastern Massachusetts, provided insight into temporary shelter in the Josiah Quincy School how public and private partnerships work gymnasium for five days. The shelter towards the larger goal of ensuring the safety operation was successful due to the dedication and security of anyone displaced by a disaster. of City staff and Boston CERT volunteers, as Robert Van Pelt, from the NYC Office of well as the equipment and training received Emergency Management, illustrated the through UASI funding.

Boston • Brookline • Cambridge • Chelsea • Everett • Quincy • Revere • Somerville • Winthrop

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Patient Tracking The Metro Boston Patient Tracking System (PTS) is a coordinated system which integrates the pre-hospital, hospital, public health and emergency management disciplines to ensure (near) real-time accountability of patient location during planned or unplanned events requiring patient movement. This system is accessed through a secure web-based application and provides an overview of patient information, including hospital location and status.

The regional benefits of having a PTS are that it aids in a coordinated response in patient assistance and incident management by tracking the status and location of individuals receiving medical and shelter services throughout the region. The PTS is designed to allow for scalability, allowing communities to use it for various reasons depending on the scope of the

UPCOMING EVENTS incident.

The PTS is used annually at the Boston Marathon and the Boston Pops 4th of July Celebration on the Esplanade to track individuals seeking medical care as a result of participating in these events. In addition, the system is used at public influenza vaccination clinics to rapidly capture basic information about each person who receives a vaccine. The system has also been used during regional drills and exercises, including last year’s Operation Falcon I and II. As we think about how to expand the capability of the PTS, using it during mass casualty incidents, hospital evacuations and emergency shelter operations, incident management, and family reunification situations will provide some of the greatest services to the Region.

MBHSR Trainings 

Shelter Manager Training Tobin Community Center 1481 Tremont Street, Boston Date: April 26, 2012

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G191: ICS/EOC Interface Boston EOC 85 Bragdon Street, Boston Date: May 3, 2012

DelValle Institute Trainings 

All-Hazards Disaster Response & Protection for Healthcare Personnel Awareness Children’s Hospital 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston Date: April 9, 2012

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ICS 300: Incident Command System for Supervisory and Non-Supervisory Personnel Involved in Planning DelValle Institute 35 Northampton Street, Boston Date: April 24-26, 2012

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First Responder/Hazardous Worker Emergency Response Defensive Operations DelValle Institute 35 Northampton Street, Boston Date: May 7-11, 2012

Recent Procurements 2 Mobile Pet Shelters

Both shelters are strategically staged within the City of Boston for quick regional deployment.

Each trailer is solar powered, climate controlled and equipped to shelter up to 40 animals.

CBRNE Mobile Command Vehicle

This vehicle allows officers to safely establish an operational base when responding to incidents.

The vehicle is equipped to seat up to 15 when stationary and features various areas for brief-

Boston • Brookline • Cambridge • Chelsea • Everett • Quincy • Revere • Somerville • Winthrop

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Regional Fires The Region has experienced a number of fire incidents that have tested regional personnel, as well as response and recovery capabilities.

In Brookline on January 16th, a quick moving four-alarm fire tore through an apartment building near Coolidge Corner. The fire started in the basement of the four-story building on Beacon Street and moved swiftly, engulfing the entire building in flames. Battling the fire proved difficult, as the bitter cold weather and freezing conditions made the area icy and dangerous for responding companies.

high winds complicated firefighters efforts.

On February 23rd, an explosion and fire disrupted a small neighborhood in Winthrop. This incident left the house completely destroyed and three of its residents injured.

Firefighters found fire on every floor within the house and reported extensive damage as a result of the explosion.

Photo courtesy of Boston Fire

Transformer fire in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood.

The evening of March 13th, two transformers caused a fouralarm fire that resulted in widespread power outages in central Boston, including the Back Bay, Fenway, South End and Kenmore Square areas. This fire left more than 20,000 residences and businesses without power for a number of days. This blackout was one of the worst the city has seen in recent history and presented a major public safety issue. As a result of great regional partnerships, many UASI community provided light towers to assist in response and recovery efforts.

An early morning fire, on February 12th, covered Chestnut Hill Avenue in Brighton with thick clouds of smoke as a four-alarm These incidents illustrate the great work that regional first blaze destroyed four businesses. More than 100 Boston responders handle every day. Additionally, incidents like this firefighters were on scene to battle this blaze in freezing temps. push us to find new ways to enhance capabilities.

The fire took all day to extinguish, as freezing temperatures and

UASI K9 Investment Update In August 2008, the MBHSR funded the enhancement of the Region’s Explosives Detection Canine (K9) capabilities. Fourteen K9s, and supporting equipOfficer Mason, Revere PD, provides a demonstration ment, were purchased of the various odors K-9 Walsh can detect. with the purpose of enhancing the physical security of regional critical infrastructure. Through this investment, Boston, Revere, Chelsea and Everett were able to improve their K9 units. Urban Shield offered each unit the opportunity to test their explosive detection capabilities in collaboration with other regional public safety entities. While not every EOD incident results in the discovery of an explosive device, it is always useful to deploy a K9 to help avoid disrupting any potential hazards.

In addition to responding to EOD situations, the K9s Region also contribute to patrolling and crime fighting objectives of each law enforcement department. Using the K9s natural abilities has been quite effective in helping locate illegal weapons that may not have otherwise been recovered by officers.

In Boston, the K9 Unit is housed under the Special Operations Division. This unit provides a great contribution to the Boston Police Department’s (BPD) crime fighting mission. All EOD K9s are trained

in explosive and ballistic detection. This training has proven valuable to law enforcement in handling major incidents and routine policing.

Throughout 2010-2011, there were 15 incidents where an EOD K9 assisted in a patrol stop that resulted in the recovery of a firearm.

The Chelsea Police K9 Unit is made up of two handlers and their K9s, who were certified through the Boston Police Academy in 2009.

Each K9 is trained to detect between 30-35 explosive odors and this skill has been put to great use within Chelsea and through mutual aid services. This unit receives dozens of calls to conduct firearm searches and twice as many in patrol calls for service in Chelsea and surrounding cities. Many have resulted in arrests, helping to keep the city safe.

After a five year hiatus, the Revere Police Department reactivated its K9 unit, receiving certification through the Boston Police Academy in 2009. This unit, made up of a single handler and K9, has been active in policing. In July 2011 during a standoff with an armed suspect barricaded in a house, this team was able to secure the perimeter for explosives, ensuring the safety of SWAT officers prior to entering the residence.

Lastly, the Everett Police Department was able to enhance its existing K9 unit with UASI funding. In addition to patrolling duties, the Everett K9 Unit conducts monthly sweeps of shipments entering the LNG facility- helping to secure shipments and ensure regional safety.

Thanks to their hard work, these K9 units have undoubtedly made the region safer for us all.

Boston • Brookline • Cambridge • Chelsea • Everett • Quincy • Revere • Somerville • Winthrop