National
Plan for Protection of Critical Infrastructure,
Including Water Systems
For the Department of
Homeland Security’s (DHS) Infrastructure
Protection Division, ICF International is assisting
in the development of the first National
Infrastructure Protection Plan. ICF International
specifically supports DHS and the Environmental
Protection Agency as the liaison and subject
matter expert on water security. The plan covers
identifying water assets, assessing vulnerability,
and developing protective programs for the water
sector. ICF International developed guidance that
was used for development of sector-specific plans
for critical infrastructures, including the water
sector.
Regional
Plan for Protection of Critical Infrastructure,
Including Water Systems
For King County, Washington,
ICF International is developing a Critical Infrastructure
Strategic Plan that includes a focus on the
water sector. ICF International facilitated stakeholder
meetings with 11 local water and wastewater
utilities in the Seattle area.
Emergency Exercises
For the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
ICF International developed a side scenario that involved
a possible threat to the water system and a notification
process to
support exercises associated with the Metropolitan
Medical Response System. For the state of Massachusetts,
ICF International is developing water contamination
scenarios for exercises.
|
Water
Security Early Warning Research
For the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
Office of Science and Technology, Office of Water,
ICF International is managing an effort to review
and evaluate current and future technologies
to provide early warning for intentional microbial,
chemical, and radiological contamination to the
drinking water distribution system. The work
covers research on detectors, data analysis systems,
and communication and response. This effort is
part of EPA's Water Security Research and Technical
Support Action Plan and supports HSPD-9.
Water
Security Workgroup Support
ICF International supported
the White House’s
Office of Homeland Security, Water Infrastructure Security Interagency Workgroup.
We provided assistance in meetings that coordinated numerous federal agencies
(EPA, Centers for Disease Control, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department
of Defense, etc.) in efforts to protect the water supply. ICF International staff
coordinated the research and development of chemical, biological, and radiological
agents; early detection; rapid assessment/ response; laboratory capacity; and
treatment capabilities.
Water Security Literature Search
For EPA’s
Office of Water, ICF International conducted an
extensive literature search for articles, publications,
and documents on critical infrastructure protection,
security, and terrorism related to the water
supply sector. We also collected information
on general methodologies used for threat and
vulnerability assessments, as well as developed
briefings and guidance materials.
Expert Workshops with the Water Industry
ICF International has participated in a variety of
forums and workshops with the water industry
on security matters. For example, ICF International
is coauthoring a 2005 Water Security Congress
paper with EPA on Early Warning Systems. |
