A Publication by the ASCE Committee on Critical Infrastructure (CCI)
Mathew Francis, P.E., M.ASCE, Editor-In-Chief

CCI Blog: http://www.ascecriticalinfrastructure.org/

To view all archived issues of the CRIB Sheet, visit: http://ciasce.asce.org/CRIBSheetArchives.html

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

Infrastructure renewal as economic stimulus in the new Obama administration is dominating policy discussions across the nation with an astonishing 94% public support, emphasizing that it be focused upon “critical” infrastructure. The ASCE 2005 Report Card recommendation of $1.6Trillion dollars over 5 years remains a regularly cited reference while specific proposals take shape. Last week ASCE prepared a statement of principles for infrastructure stimulus investment and continue to urge that ASCE members actively contact our legislators to express support.

CCI offers unique contributions in communicating the essentials of physical, systems and security aspects of resilient infrastructure design and construction to help determine what is critical, and prioritize needs between the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sectors. This cannot replace technical expertise within sector evaluations by ASCE institutes or other organizations, but is rather to help shape a sound “multi-hazard multi-discipline” approach among interdependent sectors. We have committed this year to improve ASCE critical infrastructure outreach to external organizations such as DHS, International Code Council (ICC), The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP), Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), Applied Technology Council (ATC), the American Red Cross and to provide an active liaison role to ASCE institutes, committees and sections. CCI has been charged to identify resources and needs for standards and guidelines in Critical Infrastructure, and to mobilize ASCE membership to provide trained, organized and willing disaster response volunteer professionals.

Current CCI activities will include feedback for the new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) private sector certification program and new NIMS credentialing; as well as co-sponsoring conferences and training, such as last months ASCE Summit on Guiding Principles for Critical Infrastructure held at Lansdowne, VA. Ask CCI how we can help you catch and share the vision of resilience as THE standard for critical infrastructure renewal; or volunteer to support one of CCI’s key charters to develop tools for resilience education, resilience standards and disaster response.

-Mathew Francis, PE, M.ASCE

mathew_francis@urscorp.com

NATIONAL UPDATE

Twin City Bridge: After the Collapse,” a documentary on the I-35W bridge collapse. Broadcast on Thursday, January 15, 2009

Obama stimulus could reach $775 billion New York Times, The Washington Post, Yahoo news

Infrastructure stimulus supported by 94% of Americans.

AWWA urges at least $10B for drinking water infrastructure reinvestment.

States want to use roads, not rail for infrastructure stimulus.

The Asphalt Pavement Alliance releases report on the industry’s infrastructure stimulus readiness.

TRB seeks nominations for case analysis of the Economic Stimulus of Highway Projects.

Keep track of ASCE support of infrastructure stimulus for Our Failing Infrastructure at the ASCE Government Relations blog and the new CCI website

Government seeks contractors for high-speed rail between Washington and NYC and considers other projects, such as in Florida and California. Washington Times; Chicago Tribune.

Coming from ANSI: Upgrading of Security Standards for Rail Transit.

Challenges for U.S. to drill its way to energy security recently discussed.

"Critical Infrastructure Protection" is now a buzzword in Hollywood.

U.S. Navy plans to use dolphins and sea lions to detect underwater terrorists.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATE

Severed submarine IT cables severely short communication between Middle East and Europe.

High-speed train connects Milan and Rome.

Proposed Hydro-Quebec power line from Canada to New England to power 1M homes. The Boston Globe

Another blast damages fourth Western Canada gas well site; Suspects remain undisclosed.

M6.1 2009 Costa Rica Earthquake claims 34 lives and cripples local infrastructure.

STATE/LOCAL NEWS

California may freeze infrastructure projects statewide from bond shortfall. LA Times

Southern California ShakeOut Earthquake drill finds M7.8 event may collapse tall buildings and identifies emergency response gaps.

Hawaii to spend $1.9 billion on 1,521 capital improvement projects launched in next 18 months.

Honolulu must spend over $1 billion on wastewater treatment.

New Orleans $700M storm surge barrier groundbreaking launches path to risk reduction.

Maryland New Years Eve bridge inspection reveals crack in Beltway bridge.

TVA power plant accident releases 1 billion gallon spill affecting Emory River and Prompts inspections of coal ash dikes in

Minnesota (Star Tribune)

Pennsylvania rail safety highlighted in new Rand report.

Texas to participate in federal program for high-speed rail.

Oregon Department of Transportation releases sustainability plan.

U.S. military uses Nintendo Wii controllers on robot to defuse bombs.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

2009 ASCE Leadership Training in Government Relations – APPLY NOW!

Oberstar to sponsor the most extensive transportation package since the 1950s. MinnPost

Federal commission on infrastructure financing recommends the gas tax increase and more toll roads and rush hour fees. Associated Press

Texas & Colorado ASCE infrastructure report card released:

http://sections.asce.org/colorado/index.htm
http://texasce.org/docs/MediaRelease010508.pdf ; KEYE-TV (Austin, Texas)

Apply to become a prestigious ASCE Congressional Fellow. ASCE's Congressional Fellowship Program offers unique opportunities to become directly involved in the process of crafting federal legislation and advising members of Congress. The federal legislature deals with a multitude of technical issues, many of which directly affect how civil engineers conduct their professional practice. ASCE members can become a congressional staffer for a year and be the voice of their profession by applying for this unique opportunity. Learn more and apply.

COMMITTEE NEWS

Visit CCI's new website! Learn more about upcoming CCI programs and activities, plus this new, dynamic, website features the latest news articles, top story news feeds, videos and blogs dedicated to our nation's infrastructure. Check out the new CCI website now, and add it to your favorites so you'll always get the newest infrastructure news.

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ACTIVITY AT ASCE

New ASCE book offers over 40 forensic engineering case studies.

The "Bridges" calendar is back! Thirteen new bridges take you around the world throughout the year. View the featured bridges and purchase your copies online. With your company name and logo on it, the calendar makes a great gift! Contact imprintart@asce.org to order (minimum purchase of 100 required).

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR FOCUS:

Emergency Services

Lead Government Agency: US Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Primary Civil Engineering Applications: Disaster Response, SCADA, Traffic & Systems Engineering

Chertoff, Washington, D.C. Mayor and VA/MD governors plan Presidential Inauguration event security.

DHS Public Meeting on January 13, 2009 Regarding the Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program.

FEMA announces the HAZUS Forum and the HAZUS Wiki are now live on www.usehazus.com.

DHS recently updated NIMS and NIPP, at LLIS.gov.

New National Infrastructure Advisory Study emphasizes Emergency Service Sector (ESS) and other sector interdependencies with key guidelines, acknowledged by EMR-ISAC.

Chertoff calls for shared cyber security responsibility.

ICC and FEMA sign MOU to pursue disaster resistant building codes.

National Incident Management System adopted by Denver Airport Center.

Austin, TX task force looks to improve 911 calls.

$34 million available for emergency operations centers (EOC) from DHS grants.

Regional 911 call center being considered in Indiana.

Aspen, CO New Years Eve bomb threat suspect kills himself.

Orange County, NY Emergency Services Center restores 20,000 outages from ice storm.

Suspicious box forces evacuation at LAPD Harbor Division.

Wisconsin officials want $800k for nuclear accident training.

Police fatalities were reduced in 2008 from more use of bullet-resistant vests and stun guns.

Pennsylvania fire tests emergency communications system housed in secure facility.

Top Officials (TOPOFF) 3 Full-Scale Exercise Lessons Learned Report available online.

Government seeks bids for bridge-security improvements. Brooklyn Daily Eagle (N.Y.)

RSS Feeds from DHS:
Department of Homeland Security News
Department of Homeland Security Press Releases
Department of Homeland Security Speeches
Department of Homeland Security Testimony

Department of Homeland Security Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report

RSS Feeds from FirstGov.gov:
All Cyber Alert System Documents
Cyber Security Tips from US-CERT
Non-Technical Cyber Alert System Documents
Security Incidents Currently Being Reported to the US-CERT
Technical Cyber Alert System Documents

PREPAREDNESS TIP OF THE MONTH

DHS EMI offers IS-860 online course introducing National Infrastructure Protection Plan.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January 25-28, 2009 — Windstorm Insurance Conference, Orlando, FL.

January 28, 2009 — Civil Contingencies '09, London, England.

February 3-4, 2009 — Emergency Preparedness Initiative (EPI) Workshop: Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs, Washington, DC.

February 23, 2009 — The Science of Communications: A Workshop for Risk & Crisis Communicators, Bellevue, WA.

Feb. 23-24, 2009 — 8th Annual Emergency Management Conference, Wellington, NZ.

March 4-6, 2009 — 3rd National Emergency Management Summit, Washington, DC.

March 6, 2009 — TISP Spring Forum on the Role of USNORTHCOM in Critical Infrastructure Security and Disaster Response, Colorado Springs, CO.

March 11, 2009 — TISP Roundtable Discussion on infrastructure resilience. Washington, DC.

Mar 18-20, 2009 — 3rd International Conference on Urban Transportation Systems, Shanghai, China.

March 25 -26, 2009 — 2009 Leadership Training in Government Relations Program, Washington, DC

March 27, 2009 — Joint TISP & SAME forum on levee safety and resiliency, Arlington, VA.

May 4-6, 2009 TRB Annual Ports, Waterways, Freight, and International Trade Conference, Irvine, CA. Contact Joedy Cambridge of TRB at jcambridge@nas.edu.

May 12-19, 2009 SAME Joint Engineer Training Conference and Expo, Salt Lake City, UT.

Member Login Required

Want to Receive Future Issues of the CRIB Sheet?

The CRIB Sheet, a monthly eNewsletter sponsored by the ASCE Committee on Critical Infrastructure, features updates on critical infrastructure news as well as related resources. If this eNewsletter was forwarded to you and you wish to receive future editions directly, click below to subscribe or visit http://ciasce.asce.org/MonthlyBulletin.html. If you received this eNewsletter directly from ASCE, you are already subscribed and do not need to take any further action to continue receiving the CRIB Sheet.

NOTICE FROM ASCE: You are receiving this e-mail as an information service that is integrated with your ASCE membership. If you would rather receive ASCE e-mails at another e-mail address or prefer to opt-out of all ASCE e-mails, please call (800) 548-ASCE (2723) or e-mail member@asce.org. Thank you for your membership and support of the civil engineering profession.

Chair: Karen L. Moran, P.E
Staff: Catherine M. Tehan