Posted on 06/21/2002 8:25:05 PM PDT by areafiftyone
(New York-AP) -- The fire department has issued an internal memo warning firefighters not to give out information about the department. This comes after e-mail inquiries were sent by foreigners seeking the location of emergency procedures.
The memo was sent last week by Chief of Operations Sal Cassano and obtained by The Associated Press. It cites a warning by the U-S Fire Administration's Critical Infrastructure Protection Information Center.
The federal agency says that fire departments on the East Coast have received electronic mail from foreign universities requesting information about how their department is organized, trained and equipped.
It wasn't clear whether any of the inquiries were sent to New York, or which other cities might have received them.
Cassano warns FDNY personnel not to give out any information that ``could unintentionally assist the criminal activities of those who desire to harm our nation.''
On Friday, FDNY spokesman Frank Gribbon confirmed the existence of the memo, calling it ``a general warning.''
Imagine those terrorists trying to do what I suggested in order to pass themselves off as firefighters.
I hope that someone notified the uniform houses and even those who rent costumes.
NEW YORK (AP) - The city's fire department has issued an internal memo warning firefighters not to give out information about the department, in response to e-mail inquiries from people at foreign universities about emergency procedures.
The memo, distributed last week by Chief of Operations Sal Cassano, cites a warning by the U.S. Fire Administration's Critical Infrastructure Protection Information Center.
The federal agency "recently learned that fire and/or EMS departments on the East Coast have received electronic mail from foreign universities requesting information about how their department is organized, trained and equipped," says the memo, which was obtained by The Associated Press.
It continues: "The individuals are also asking for the identification or locations of major response routes."
Cassano warns FDNY personnel not to give out any information that "could unintentionally assist the criminal activities of those who desire to harm our nation."
FDNY spokesman Frank Gribbon called it a general warning with no specific threat.
It was unclear which cities received the inquiries.
FBI spokesman Joe Valiquette would not comment on the memo, and calls to the U.S. Fire Administration and the Infrastructure Protection Information Center were not immediately returned.
Earlier this week, a Middle Eastern maintenance worker who said he wanted to buy a replica ambulance triggered a warning in New York and New Jersey that terrorists might try to use emergency vehicles in an attack. New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said authorities nationwide are investigating the possible use of emergency vehicles as terrorist weapons.
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