Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 7 October 2024

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

IC3 PSA: Anniversary of October 7, 2023, Hamas Attacks May Motivate Individuals to Violence in the United States

From the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) PSA:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are issuing this Public Service Announcement to highlight potential threats in the United States from a variety of actors in response to the one-year anniversary of the HAMAS attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and consistent calls by foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) to their supporters seeking to provoke violence in the West.

The PSA explains that the threats are aimed at “Jewish, Muslim, or Arab institutions — including synagogues, mosques/Islamic centers, and community centers — and large public gatherings, such as memorials, vigils, or other lawful demonstrations …”

The PSA directs:

• Call 911 to report emergencies, including imminent threats to life.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times and report suspicious activities to the authorities.
• The FBI and DHS encourage the public to promptly report information concerning suspicious activity to tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).

Additional October 7 Anniversary Items:

• FBI warns of possible threats ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary
• Foiled attack on Chabad Athens offers glimpse into Iran’s anti-Jewish terror plots
• US cities and campuses on high alert over 7 October anniversary events
• VFC – Academic Sector Specific Bulletin: Planning Considerations For Campus Protests
• National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) – October 7: One Year Later
• Combating Terrorism Center’s CTC Sentinel: October 2024 Issue

• • The October 7 Attack: An Assessment of the Intelligence Failings
  • A View from the CT Foxhole: Christopher O’Leary, Former FBI Counterterrorism Senior Executive and Director of Hostage Recovery
  • A Draw Is a Win: The Houthis After One Year of War
  • Tehran’s Tactical Knockout: Weaponized Pharmaceutical-Based Agents
• Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters rally in L.A. ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary
• Man arrested after allegedly spray-painting “Free Palestine!” on LAPD headquarters
• Anti-Israel protester sets himself on fire outside White House
• Minneapolis police announce uptick in security around synagogues during Jewish holidays
• Across North America, Jews and their allies prepare for a poignant Oct. 7 commemoration
• German police raid homes of Palestine activists in lead-up to October 7 commemorations
• Protests in Berlin and many major cities as October 7 nears
• European cities brace for pro-Palestinian rallies amid high alert as Oct. 7 anniversary approaches
• Australia tightens security ahead of Oct 6-7 pro-Palestine protests
• Antisemitism Online Since 7 October: European Observations
• One Year Later: October 7 Upends the Middle East
• Inside the US intel dilemma on Gaza a year after Oct. 7
• Pro-Palestine Protests in the U.S. Since October 7, 2023
• Pro-Israel Protests in the U.S. Since October 7, 2023

NFPA Fire Prevention Week

From the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) website:

Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) is
October 6-12, 2024

This year’s FPW campaign, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!™” strives to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home. Learn more about the history of FPW.

The NFPA website provides a smoke detector webinar, and additional guidance on installing, testing, and replacing smoke detectors.

Analyst Comments:

While protecting houses of worship is critically important, members of the faith community should also consider fire safety in their home.

• As of 7 October 2024, the S. Fire Administration reports 46 firefighter deaths and 1,507 home fire deaths.
• The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that, “More than 2,200 people die each year because of unintentional home fires. Almost two-thirds of these fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or with smoke alarms that don’t work.”

Home smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years and tested monthly by pushing the button.