by Michael Smith
This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.
Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth reading.
The scam works like this:
Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA (or which ever other card company). My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank) did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for £497.99 from a Marketing company based in London (or other city)?" When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from £297 to £497, just under the £500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?"
You say "yes". The caller continues - "I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 0800 number listed on the back of your card (0800-VISA) and ask for Security.
You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works, the caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card." He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers." There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say, "No," the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.
You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number.
So, let's be careful out there and try not to fall for such – or any other – scams.
As far as I am personally aware the real companies will not phone you; they will send you a letter and get you to call someone at the Fraud Investigation Service. I know this because I have personally have been the victim, so to speak, of attempted credit fraud in my name. It happens and the more you have a presence on the Internet the m ore this danger is there that someone is going to try something like that.
© M Smith (Veshengro), January 2009
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Director-General of Security Service speaks on recession threat
by Michael Smith
Britain faces a new security threat as a result of the global economic crisis, the head of the Security Service, MI5, Jonathan Evans, has warned, in the first ever interview by a director general of the Security Service.
He said the international recession could be a "watershed moment" which will shift the balance of power away from the West and the way things are going he might well be right. If that is the case we are in trouble, on more than one level.
Despite MI5 achieving notable success against al-Qaeda in Britain, Mr Evans warned that with the decline in economic power of the UK, US and Europe, new threats to national security are likely to emerge.
"Where there have been watershed moments, there have often been national security implications from that, a new alignment," he said. "We have to maintain flexibility and respond to threats. The world will not stay the same."
MI5 has scored, so its Chief explained, significant successes against al-Qaeda in Britain in the last two years which was forcing terrorists to "keep their heads down." But he warned that not all potential extremists could be monitored by the security services.
But, scores of British Muslims are still traveling to terror training camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan every year. Others are traveling to lawless areas of Somalia.
We also must not forget that the USA has “lost” a lot of young Somalis. They have all turned up in those lawless areas and are, apparently, going through some kind of training and fighting there.
And apparently the terrorists who launched the Mumbai attacks in November had indirect links to the UK. But what does he mean with “links to the UK?”
In addition to that, he said, the growth in the use of Internet telephone services may pose a "significant detriment to national security" as terrorists can communicate more freely.
Oh dear! The growth in the use of Internet telephone services may pose a "significant detriment to national security" as terrorists can communicate more freely, said the MI5 chief. Do I hear here the encoded call to limit the access of Brits to the likes of Skype?
Yes, Skype. That free Internet telephone service whose calls are end-to-end encrypted and cannot be intercepted very well. So, I guess, beside the new legislation that Internet Service providers in the UK have to have all email to be stored (and I do not believe for one moment that no contents of those emails are going to be held) for a year, they will now try to make the use of Skype illegal or limited or make it illegal for Skype to encrypt calls from UK IPs. You do not stop terrorists and terrorism that way.
But it is the economic turbulence that is gripping the world that is likely to present the security services with their latest challenge, Mr Evans said.
"Our focus in the next few years will be international terrorism, al-Qaeda and its associates, but we are also looking at the global economic crisis," he said at his Whitehall office.
Although Mr Evans declined to go into details, Britain has already experienced a surge in spying by the re-emerging economic powers of Russia and China.
This should be quite obvious to all bu the very blind seeing the recent and not-so-recent cyber attacks by Russia and China against British (and American) assets, which the MI5 chief, however, forgot to mention, it seems.
Countries which face economic and political meltdown, such as Pakistan and Somalia, are also emerging as bases for terrorism. And as global alliances are re-drawn there could also be threats from of state-sponsored terrorism, particularly in the Middle East.
"As the world develops there is a knock-on effect in terms of domestic extremism, global power and the relationship between states," Mr Evans added. "National security tends to be a spin-off issue from wider changes."
He said there was no direct relationship between economic fortunes and extremism but added that it was important to consider what would happen if the "West becomes less economically dominant."
"There is no single path that leads people to violent extremism," he said. "Social, foreign policy, economic and personal factors all lead people to throw their lot in with extremists."
Economic factors do not make people terrorists, at least not in the main. However, the kind of actions of countries with which this country is supposedly befriended and fact the actions that this country are not being condemned by the government of the UK is what breeds terrorists in this country. And yes, I am referring to the current murderous actions of the Zionist state against the Palestinian people.
If Britain wants to stop the growth of homegrown fundamentalism then its government will have to stop sponsoring the likes of regimes like that of the Zionist entity in Palestine and following the United States blindly into any action against anyone who just remotely might be interfering with US interests.
Mr Evans said that MI5 has succeeded in targeting homegrown fundamentalism, securing 86 successful prosecutions in the last two years and he described developments as "very encouraging" but warned "the networks have not gone away."
"There could easily be activities that we are not aware of," he added. "We don't have anything approaching comprehensive coverage."
No, MI5 does not have – as yet – anything approaching a comprehensive coverage but we can be sure that they are working on that. Why else are we headed for a total archiving of emails sent from and to Internet users in Britain.
Does that all make us safer in this country? It certainly does not but then again, it has nothing to do with safety of the people and the country but everything with people control, and control of the subjects of Her Majesty, for there is no such thing as a British citizen, whatever they may claim.
Back to the “Recession Threat”, however.
When it comes to the nation the threat is not from supposed Islamic terrorists or such but from other nations, such as Russia and China. I think we can safely forget about countries such as Pakistan and Somalia in this equation.
However, we must, on no account, not forget our supposed friends either. Someone once said “God defend me from my friends; from my enemies I can defend myself” and this is very true especially as regards to the “friend” across the big pond and also that one next to the big dessert.
Or does anyone really believe that they do not (1) spy on Britain and (2) would not act against our county should they feel threatened, economically or otherwise.
I am sure we remember Benjamin Nethanyahu who was abducted from Britain and then imprisoned in his country. Remember the one who told the world that Israel has nuclear weapons?
It is OK for Israel to have nuclear weapons, WNDs, but when some other Middle-Eastern country wants to develop civilian nuclear programs they are being threatened by both the USA and also Britain. How can this be?
When it comes to this nation's security we should be careful who we go to bed with and what bugs they may carry.
© M Smith (Veshengro), January 2009
<>
Britain faces a new security threat as a result of the global economic crisis, the head of the Security Service, MI5, Jonathan Evans, has warned, in the first ever interview by a director general of the Security Service.
He said the international recession could be a "watershed moment" which will shift the balance of power away from the West and the way things are going he might well be right. If that is the case we are in trouble, on more than one level.
Despite MI5 achieving notable success against al-Qaeda in Britain, Mr Evans warned that with the decline in economic power of the UK, US and Europe, new threats to national security are likely to emerge.
"Where there have been watershed moments, there have often been national security implications from that, a new alignment," he said. "We have to maintain flexibility and respond to threats. The world will not stay the same."
MI5 has scored, so its Chief explained, significant successes against al-Qaeda in Britain in the last two years which was forcing terrorists to "keep their heads down." But he warned that not all potential extremists could be monitored by the security services.
But, scores of British Muslims are still traveling to terror training camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan every year. Others are traveling to lawless areas of Somalia.
We also must not forget that the USA has “lost” a lot of young Somalis. They have all turned up in those lawless areas and are, apparently, going through some kind of training and fighting there.
And apparently the terrorists who launched the Mumbai attacks in November had indirect links to the UK. But what does he mean with “links to the UK?”
In addition to that, he said, the growth in the use of Internet telephone services may pose a "significant detriment to national security" as terrorists can communicate more freely.
Oh dear! The growth in the use of Internet telephone services may pose a "significant detriment to national security" as terrorists can communicate more freely, said the MI5 chief. Do I hear here the encoded call to limit the access of Brits to the likes of Skype?
Yes, Skype. That free Internet telephone service whose calls are end-to-end encrypted and cannot be intercepted very well. So, I guess, beside the new legislation that Internet Service providers in the UK have to have all email to be stored (and I do not believe for one moment that no contents of those emails are going to be held) for a year, they will now try to make the use of Skype illegal or limited or make it illegal for Skype to encrypt calls from UK IPs. You do not stop terrorists and terrorism that way.
But it is the economic turbulence that is gripping the world that is likely to present the security services with their latest challenge, Mr Evans said.
"Our focus in the next few years will be international terrorism, al-Qaeda and its associates, but we are also looking at the global economic crisis," he said at his Whitehall office.
Although Mr Evans declined to go into details, Britain has already experienced a surge in spying by the re-emerging economic powers of Russia and China.
This should be quite obvious to all bu the very blind seeing the recent and not-so-recent cyber attacks by Russia and China against British (and American) assets, which the MI5 chief, however, forgot to mention, it seems.
Countries which face economic and political meltdown, such as Pakistan and Somalia, are also emerging as bases for terrorism. And as global alliances are re-drawn there could also be threats from of state-sponsored terrorism, particularly in the Middle East.
"As the world develops there is a knock-on effect in terms of domestic extremism, global power and the relationship between states," Mr Evans added. "National security tends to be a spin-off issue from wider changes."
He said there was no direct relationship between economic fortunes and extremism but added that it was important to consider what would happen if the "West becomes less economically dominant."
"There is no single path that leads people to violent extremism," he said. "Social, foreign policy, economic and personal factors all lead people to throw their lot in with extremists."
Economic factors do not make people terrorists, at least not in the main. However, the kind of actions of countries with which this country is supposedly befriended and fact the actions that this country are not being condemned by the government of the UK is what breeds terrorists in this country. And yes, I am referring to the current murderous actions of the Zionist state against the Palestinian people.
If Britain wants to stop the growth of homegrown fundamentalism then its government will have to stop sponsoring the likes of regimes like that of the Zionist entity in Palestine and following the United States blindly into any action against anyone who just remotely might be interfering with US interests.
Mr Evans said that MI5 has succeeded in targeting homegrown fundamentalism, securing 86 successful prosecutions in the last two years and he described developments as "very encouraging" but warned "the networks have not gone away."
"There could easily be activities that we are not aware of," he added. "We don't have anything approaching comprehensive coverage."
No, MI5 does not have – as yet – anything approaching a comprehensive coverage but we can be sure that they are working on that. Why else are we headed for a total archiving of emails sent from and to Internet users in Britain.
Does that all make us safer in this country? It certainly does not but then again, it has nothing to do with safety of the people and the country but everything with people control, and control of the subjects of Her Majesty, for there is no such thing as a British citizen, whatever they may claim.
Back to the “Recession Threat”, however.
When it comes to the nation the threat is not from supposed Islamic terrorists or such but from other nations, such as Russia and China. I think we can safely forget about countries such as Pakistan and Somalia in this equation.
However, we must, on no account, not forget our supposed friends either. Someone once said “God defend me from my friends; from my enemies I can defend myself” and this is very true especially as regards to the “friend” across the big pond and also that one next to the big dessert.
Or does anyone really believe that they do not (1) spy on Britain and (2) would not act against our county should they feel threatened, economically or otherwise.
I am sure we remember Benjamin Nethanyahu who was abducted from Britain and then imprisoned in his country. Remember the one who told the world that Israel has nuclear weapons?
It is OK for Israel to have nuclear weapons, WNDs, but when some other Middle-Eastern country wants to develop civilian nuclear programs they are being threatened by both the USA and also Britain. How can this be?
When it comes to this nation's security we should be careful who we go to bed with and what bugs they may carry.
© M Smith (Veshengro), January 2009
<>
Russia, it's gas and the West
by Michael Smith
What Russia is doing with regards to the issue over the gas transiting via the Ukraine is too let Western Europe and the West as a whole know that unless we in the West play ball they way Russia wants as regards the former Soviet Republics and such like issues then they may turn off the gas.
This is the second time that this has happened with regards to Russian gas on its way to Western Europe via the gas pipeline that goes through the now independent former Soviet Republic of Ukraine.
I do sincerely doubt, however, that it would be any different would the gas be going a different route, direct to the West through, say, Poland or the still Moscow line following Belarus.
This issue over the gas for heating and industry coming from Russia shows that we are all, all our countries, people and infrastructure, in problems as we can be held to ransom that easily.
Holding the West to ransom over the issue of the gas is exactly what Russia is doing and this will not be the last time that that is going to happen, of that we can be sure.
This is no way to run a railroad and certainly no way to run a country. We must have self-sufficiency, as far as possible at least, in matters of energy, whether this be gas, oil or what-have-you. We cannot be allowed to be held to ransom by then like of the oligarchs and the FSB of Russia nor by others.
The Ukraine, in my opinion, also has a part in this ransom business, though on a different level.
While Russia appears to be using the gas as a lever so that Europe and the West reconsider their ideas of letting the Ukraine into NATO and the EU, the Ukraine is playing the game the other ways around basically saying “you can get your gas if you make us member of NATO and the EU”. This is, at least, how I read both sides and, as far as we all should be concerned we should tell the Ukraine to go to h**l if that is their attitude and at that same time, unfortunately as it may be, give in to the more-or-less unspoken request by the Russian Federation and General Putin to not let the Ukraine join any of those western clubs.
I have to say as well, and I wonder how many other people may just wonder the same, why we, in fact, are even thinking of incorporating the likes of the Ukraine into NATO and eventually also the EU.
The orange revolution, as it is often called, certainly was not democracy the way we see it here, and the leadership of the Ukraine is not as benign as they are made out. However, as in the case of the likes of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, both regimes with difficult human rights records and such, the USA and other NATO allies call them their friends because it is possible to have bases in their countries that are very close to Iran. Oil is a catalyst here, yet again. Black gold. But I digressed.
The West, those that do not have any of that kind of Black Gold, or gas, will nevertheless have to find a way to become independent from the oil fields of the Iran and other such countries in the same way as they have to become independent from the gas fields of Russia and other such locations.
There are ways and means of doing that and there are countries that can show the way in this as well., However, oil (and gas0 still are king when it comes to heating and cooking in the western world and especially the use of the motorcar is a contributing factor.
As it, however, shows again and again, countries that depend on such raw materials from abroad can be held to ransom at the whim of a leader of a country or by other means. Russia is not the only country that has or can have the West of a barrel like this.
Therefore, in order to protect our nations' infrastructure we must look for way of becoming, if not entirely than largely, independent from such sources and imports.
Can Russia be trusted?
The answer is a no and a yes and it depends on the angle from which one views it. Russia, and that is the problem, trusts no one and never ever will. Long story and maybe one for a separate article, methinks.
Our infrastructure needs independence from sources such as Russian gas or oil from the Persian Gulf and such locations.
How to get that done? Let's get our thinking caps on.
© M Smith (Veshengro), January 2009
<>
What Russia is doing with regards to the issue over the gas transiting via the Ukraine is too let Western Europe and the West as a whole know that unless we in the West play ball they way Russia wants as regards the former Soviet Republics and such like issues then they may turn off the gas.
This is the second time that this has happened with regards to Russian gas on its way to Western Europe via the gas pipeline that goes through the now independent former Soviet Republic of Ukraine.
I do sincerely doubt, however, that it would be any different would the gas be going a different route, direct to the West through, say, Poland or the still Moscow line following Belarus.
This issue over the gas for heating and industry coming from Russia shows that we are all, all our countries, people and infrastructure, in problems as we can be held to ransom that easily.
Holding the West to ransom over the issue of the gas is exactly what Russia is doing and this will not be the last time that that is going to happen, of that we can be sure.
This is no way to run a railroad and certainly no way to run a country. We must have self-sufficiency, as far as possible at least, in matters of energy, whether this be gas, oil or what-have-you. We cannot be allowed to be held to ransom by then like of the oligarchs and the FSB of Russia nor by others.
The Ukraine, in my opinion, also has a part in this ransom business, though on a different level.
While Russia appears to be using the gas as a lever so that Europe and the West reconsider their ideas of letting the Ukraine into NATO and the EU, the Ukraine is playing the game the other ways around basically saying “you can get your gas if you make us member of NATO and the EU”. This is, at least, how I read both sides and, as far as we all should be concerned we should tell the Ukraine to go to h**l if that is their attitude and at that same time, unfortunately as it may be, give in to the more-or-less unspoken request by the Russian Federation and General Putin to not let the Ukraine join any of those western clubs.
I have to say as well, and I wonder how many other people may just wonder the same, why we, in fact, are even thinking of incorporating the likes of the Ukraine into NATO and eventually also the EU.
The orange revolution, as it is often called, certainly was not democracy the way we see it here, and the leadership of the Ukraine is not as benign as they are made out. However, as in the case of the likes of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, both regimes with difficult human rights records and such, the USA and other NATO allies call them their friends because it is possible to have bases in their countries that are very close to Iran. Oil is a catalyst here, yet again. Black gold. But I digressed.
The West, those that do not have any of that kind of Black Gold, or gas, will nevertheless have to find a way to become independent from the oil fields of the Iran and other such countries in the same way as they have to become independent from the gas fields of Russia and other such locations.
There are ways and means of doing that and there are countries that can show the way in this as well., However, oil (and gas0 still are king when it comes to heating and cooking in the western world and especially the use of the motorcar is a contributing factor.
As it, however, shows again and again, countries that depend on such raw materials from abroad can be held to ransom at the whim of a leader of a country or by other means. Russia is not the only country that has or can have the West of a barrel like this.
Therefore, in order to protect our nations' infrastructure we must look for way of becoming, if not entirely than largely, independent from such sources and imports.
Can Russia be trusted?
The answer is a no and a yes and it depends on the angle from which one views it. Russia, and that is the problem, trusts no one and never ever will. Long story and maybe one for a separate article, methinks.
Our infrastructure needs independence from sources such as Russian gas or oil from the Persian Gulf and such locations.
How to get that done? Let's get our thinking caps on.
© M Smith (Veshengro), January 2009
<>
Minister Misplaces Security Pass
by Michael Smith
Is this just total incompetence, stupidity or both?
Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell, who last year had to apologize after leaving confidential ministerial correspondence on a train, which an honest traveler returned. He now has another honest passer-by to thank with regards to yet another security lapse, so to speak.
This time the minister has managed to lose his wallet, containing a Parliamentary security pass, on a busy central London street.
The wallet, which, according to the Sunday Mirror, also contained bank cards and cash and was dropped as the MP got out of a taxi, was handed in to police by a member of the public who found it on Soho's Dean Street.
Mr Purnell's spokesman said: "James dropped his wallet when returning from some sales shopping. He is very grateful to the member of the public who handed it in."
In the previous incident, Mr Purnell had been working on papers from his ministerial "red box" during a journey from Macclesfield to London's Euston Station on October 4, 2008 which he duly left behind when disembarking the train.
The missing papers were returned three days later after they were picked up by fellow passengers.
A spokeswoman said at the time that Mr Purnell had not broken any rules in taking his red box on a train.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said of that episode: "He'll be as concerned as me that the rules for the future ensure that these things cannot happen."
And bingo, it has happened again.
Why on earth did was the security pass in the wallet of this incompetent minister in the first place. Ever heard of pickpockets, Mr. Purnell? Apparently not. He also does not know the first rule about security passes, military ID cards, warrant cards, and such like: they do not, repeat n-o-t into the wallet with cash and store cards, credit cards, etc.
Far too often, however, this rule is being broken, whether for reasons of total stupidity or laziness, by all those that should know better, including police and security services personnel. How many cops, here and elsewhere, have I seen who have their police ID card in the window slot in their wallets? Too many, if you ask me.
While this time – yet again – no real harm was done it could have been different.
One really must ask as to whether this is total incompetence or stupidity or, possibly, both, of this minister and, I must say, this government as a whole.
How can anyone trust them with anything. Incompetence, stupidity, and lack of sense of security and all combined have been the hallmark of this government while, at the same time, they keep talking about the need for tighter security.
Oh, yes, as a means to control the people of these islands but not as far as real security is concerned. All they are concerned about is how to create a total surveillance society and a way to monitor what each and every individual in this country, from child to pensioner, is up to, where they are and what they do.
All this is not making the country any safer in reality and does not reduce crime or the possibility of terrorist attacks. All it does is taking away liberties from law-abiding people and making them into criminals in the eyes of the law enforcers for now it seems to be “guilty until proven innocent” and “yes, you have rights unless the police say you don't”.
What we do need is real security and people who make sure that our data is secure and also other information that they are entrusted with.
© M Smith (Veshengro), January 2009
<>
Is this just total incompetence, stupidity or both?
Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell, who last year had to apologize after leaving confidential ministerial correspondence on a train, which an honest traveler returned. He now has another honest passer-by to thank with regards to yet another security lapse, so to speak.
This time the minister has managed to lose his wallet, containing a Parliamentary security pass, on a busy central London street.
The wallet, which, according to the Sunday Mirror, also contained bank cards and cash and was dropped as the MP got out of a taxi, was handed in to police by a member of the public who found it on Soho's Dean Street.
Mr Purnell's spokesman said: "James dropped his wallet when returning from some sales shopping. He is very grateful to the member of the public who handed it in."
In the previous incident, Mr Purnell had been working on papers from his ministerial "red box" during a journey from Macclesfield to London's Euston Station on October 4, 2008 which he duly left behind when disembarking the train.
The missing papers were returned three days later after they were picked up by fellow passengers.
A spokeswoman said at the time that Mr Purnell had not broken any rules in taking his red box on a train.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said of that episode: "He'll be as concerned as me that the rules for the future ensure that these things cannot happen."
And bingo, it has happened again.
Why on earth did was the security pass in the wallet of this incompetent minister in the first place. Ever heard of pickpockets, Mr. Purnell? Apparently not. He also does not know the first rule about security passes, military ID cards, warrant cards, and such like: they do not, repeat n-o-t into the wallet with cash and store cards, credit cards, etc.
Far too often, however, this rule is being broken, whether for reasons of total stupidity or laziness, by all those that should know better, including police and security services personnel. How many cops, here and elsewhere, have I seen who have their police ID card in the window slot in their wallets? Too many, if you ask me.
While this time – yet again – no real harm was done it could have been different.
One really must ask as to whether this is total incompetence or stupidity or, possibly, both, of this minister and, I must say, this government as a whole.
How can anyone trust them with anything. Incompetence, stupidity, and lack of sense of security and all combined have been the hallmark of this government while, at the same time, they keep talking about the need for tighter security.
Oh, yes, as a means to control the people of these islands but not as far as real security is concerned. All they are concerned about is how to create a total surveillance society and a way to monitor what each and every individual in this country, from child to pensioner, is up to, where they are and what they do.
All this is not making the country any safer in reality and does not reduce crime or the possibility of terrorist attacks. All it does is taking away liberties from law-abiding people and making them into criminals in the eyes of the law enforcers for now it seems to be “guilty until proven innocent” and “yes, you have rights unless the police say you don't”.
What we do need is real security and people who make sure that our data is secure and also other information that they are entrusted with.
© M Smith (Veshengro), January 2009
<>
Incident Command - 3rd Edition (2008)
Fire and Rescue Manual - Volume 2: Fire Service Operations
by Michael Smith
UK: Incident command systems are vital for managing risk within fire brigades. This new and updated edition of Incident Command: Fire and Rescue Manual - Volume 2: Fire Service Operations develops the subject, particularly in the area of dynamic risk assessment and command competence. This guide details the doctrine of the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) in the context of operational incident management, leadership, and the functional command and control processes that flow from it.
This new edition of the manual also reflects the need for Fire and Rescue Services to be able to work effectively within a broader multi-agency incident management framework. Further to recent legislation this publication offers guidance in respect to the increasingly broad role of Fire and Rescue Services in incidents other than fire. This role is then considered in relation to the capacities, objectives, and constraints of other responding agencies. Essential reading for Fire Brigade Service managers and those involved in incident response across all of the emergency services.
To purchase a copy, go to www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/incidentcommand3rd where you can also download a free copy as a PDF document.
I have done just that and in due course, once I have been able to read through this publication a little, I shall try to bring you, the reader, a little review of it here.
(C) M Smith (Veshengro), January 2008
<>
by Michael Smith
UK: Incident command systems are vital for managing risk within fire brigades. This new and updated edition of Incident Command: Fire and Rescue Manual - Volume 2: Fire Service Operations develops the subject, particularly in the area of dynamic risk assessment and command competence. This guide details the doctrine of the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) in the context of operational incident management, leadership, and the functional command and control processes that flow from it.
This new edition of the manual also reflects the need for Fire and Rescue Services to be able to work effectively within a broader multi-agency incident management framework. Further to recent legislation this publication offers guidance in respect to the increasingly broad role of Fire and Rescue Services in incidents other than fire. This role is then considered in relation to the capacities, objectives, and constraints of other responding agencies. Essential reading for Fire Brigade Service managers and those involved in incident response across all of the emergency services.
To purchase a copy, go to www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/incidentcommand3rd where you can also download a free copy as a PDF document.
I have done just that and in due course, once I have been able to read through this publication a little, I shall try to bring you, the reader, a little review of it here.
(C) M Smith (Veshengro), January 2008
<>
“What if……” a 3-day interactive radio campaign
UK: On January 12th – 14th 2009, BBC local radio stations will be running an interactive campaign designed to help families prepare for emergencies such as flood, fire, chemical leaks or pandemic flu.
The idea came from BBC audiences and is being driven by Local Radio. At the beginning of 2008 a conference was held called ‘Beyond the Floods’ where the BBC invited Emergency Responders (i.e. Blue Light services, Emergency Planners, Cabinet Office and Utilities like Water, Power, Telecoms, Met Office & Environment Agency) to discuss the lessons identified during the floods of 2007.
One of the main outcomes of that meeting was a consensus between the BBC and the Emergency Responders that the BBC needed to provide warning and informing advice before the next floods not when the water was lapping at the door.
One of the main learning points during the floods of 2007 was the huge number of people who turned to the BBC's web pages for advice – 7.9 million in 2 weeks hit the Radio Gloucestershire site.
The main day is Monday 12th January, when it is hoped to have an exclusive report for Local Radio Breakfast programmes about Cobra, the Cabinet Office briefing room, to kick off the campaign.
The schedule, which will vary from station to station both in timing and content, may also include:
- a ‘What If ‘phone in with Emergency Planners looking at flood preparations and asking the audience what they would do in certain circumstances.
- Drivetime - a quiz about driving in bad weather.
- it will be explained why messages such as 'Don’t panic' are regarded by some fire chiefs as being out of date and why they could endanger lives.
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The idea came from BBC audiences and is being driven by Local Radio. At the beginning of 2008 a conference was held called ‘Beyond the Floods’ where the BBC invited Emergency Responders (i.e. Blue Light services, Emergency Planners, Cabinet Office and Utilities like Water, Power, Telecoms, Met Office & Environment Agency) to discuss the lessons identified during the floods of 2007.
One of the main outcomes of that meeting was a consensus between the BBC and the Emergency Responders that the BBC needed to provide warning and informing advice before the next floods not when the water was lapping at the door.
One of the main learning points during the floods of 2007 was the huge number of people who turned to the BBC's web pages for advice – 7.9 million in 2 weeks hit the Radio Gloucestershire site.
The main day is Monday 12th January, when it is hoped to have an exclusive report for Local Radio Breakfast programmes about Cobra, the Cabinet Office briefing room, to kick off the campaign.
The schedule, which will vary from station to station both in timing and content, may also include:
- a ‘What If ‘phone in with Emergency Planners looking at flood preparations and asking the audience what they would do in certain circumstances.
- Drivetime - a quiz about driving in bad weather.
- it will be explained why messages such as 'Don’t panic' are regarded by some fire chiefs as being out of date and why they could endanger lives.
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