The public as "eyes and ears" for emergency responders

The FBI has published a guide in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, to help inform people about how to be the "eyes and ears" of emergency responders during elevated security alerts.

The guide titled "The Public as 'Eyes and Ears' " describes what to look for, particularly at or near high profile sites and where large crowds gather.

"The guide [can improve] the Lab's ability to be secure, safe and compliant and the message bears repeating no matter where people live," said Denny Armstrong of Emergency Management and Response (S-8).

Some FBI recommendations for helping emergency responders include

• surveillance and awareness of individuals video recording or monitoring activities, taking notes, using cameras, maps or binoculars and sightings of low flying aircraft over sites;
• suspicious questioning and/or attempts by individuals to gain information in person or by phone, mail or email about a facility or people who work there;
• security tests, such as attempting to penetrate or test physical security or procedures;
• acquiring supplies or attempting to improperly acquire explosives, weapons, ammunition, dangerous chemicals, uniforms, badges, flight manuals, access cards, or identification for key facilities or events, or to legally obtain items under suspicious circumstances;
• awareness of individuals who do not appear to belong in the workplace, neighborhood, business, or near a key event or facility;
• observation of behaviors that appear to be preparing for a terrorist act, such as route mapping, engaging in role-playing scenarios, timing traffic lights or flow of traffic;
• deploying assets: observation of abandoned vehicles, stockpiling of suspicious materials or persons being deployed near a key facility or event.

Laboratory personnel are encouraged to report suspicious activities by notifying the Security and Safeguards (S) Division's Security Help Desk at 5-2002 or by contacting S-8 at 7-6211 or the Los Alamos Police Department at 662-8222.

For more information about response and preparedness see the S-8 Web site at http://emr.lanl.gov/ online.