Efforts to Hide Sensitive Data Pit 9/11 Concerns Against Safety

Efforts to Hide Sensitive Data Pit 9/11 Concerns Against Safety, New York Times, Saturday, March 5, 2005, http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/05/national/05secret.html?

"They are just pieces of cardboard, and they cover less than a square foot on the side of railroad tank car. But behind them lies a post-9/11 competition between public safety and national security.

For decades, emergency-response teams approaching train wrecks have peered at the signs through binoculars to see what dangerous chemicals might be leaking. But federal officials will soon decide on a proposal to remove the placards from all tank cars. Their fear is that terrorists could use them to lock in on targets for highly toxic attacks.

The idea has sparked an outcry from firefighters and rail workers, who say removing the signs could endanger their lives. They say federal officials seem more focused on guarding against a terrorist attack than on the daily threat of accidents.

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The dispute illustrates a growing push to mask sensitive data about the nation's industrial base from the prying eyes of potential terrorists. In the tug of war over tank cars and other industrial information, critics question whether the move toward secrecy is overwhelming safety concerns and even chilling debates over how to eliminate the vulnerabilities.

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And a lot more. None of which makes any sense.

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diffreent fashion where firefighters have a simple way to check off a simple database if they are so security conscience.

This is more of an excuse to be able to mask really naughty things they are doing.

Edit PS - Something similar was done here and in england in WW2. They changed the way trains could be identified to keep people from bombing the trains carrying vital supplies and those carrying secondary supplies.

so first responders could ping it with a radio interrogation - and get back a response. The first responders don't trust it.

I work with First Responders -- and I think this proposal is just plain dumb. I teach a "HazMat for NGO Volunteer Responders" course. And, I have been on the CG Cutters as an active duty Coastie in HazMat concentrated ports and terminals.

Semper Paratus

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it'll also make the trains much easier targets since they could be more easily locked onto by thier RFID reflection signature.

I would have to say (as a one time HazMat type and as a retired working engineer in the alternative-green,renewable energy and environmental field; and as a HazMat instructor for NGO volunteer emergency responders)

KISS = "Keep It Simple Stupid"

I have to disagree with the assumption that terrorists will drive around looking for random tank cars or tank trucks as "Targets of Opportunity." They plan, they study, they do their home work. They probably know the difference between a liquid nitrogen tanker and a liquefied natural gas tanker.

Some would argue that this proposal is just to keep environmental groups in ignorance of what is being manufactured and stored in their communities or being transported through their communities. Environmental activists have already made this argument. There might be a grain of truth in this (remember Bhopal and Donora). Except that even the "industry" opposed this proposal.


SEMPER PARATUS

SAINT FLORIAN PROTECT ME AS I WALK INTO HARM'S WAY TO AID THE DISTRESSED


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