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Acts
of terrorism range from threats of terrorism, assassinations, kidnappings,
hijackings, bomb scares and bombings, cyber attacks (computer-based),
to the use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. High-risk
targets include military and civilian government facilities, international
airports, large cities and high-profile landmarks. Terrorists might
also target large public gatherings, water and food supplies, utilities,
and corporate centers. Further, they are capable of spreading fear
by sending explosives or chemical and biological agents through
the mail. In the immediate area of a terrorist event, you would
need to rely on police, fire and other officials for instructions.
However,you can prepare in much the same way you would prepare for
other crisis events.
Preparing for Terrorism
1. Wherever you are, be aware of your surroundings. The very nature
of terrorism suggests there may be little or no warning.
2. Take precautions when traveling. Be aware of conspicuous or unusual
behavior. Do not accept packages from strangers. Do not leave luggage
unattended. Unusual behavior, suspicious packages and strange devices
should be promptly reported to the police or security personnel.
3. Do not be afraid to move or leave if you feel uncomfortable or
if something does not seem right.
4. Learn where emergency exits are located in buildings you frequent.
Notice where exits are when you enter unfamiliar buildings. Plan
how to get out of a building, subway or congested public area or
traffic. Note where staircases are located. Notice heavy or breakable
objects that could move, fall or break in an explosion.
5. Assemble a disaster supply kit at home
and learn first aid. Separate the supplies you would take if you
had to evacuate quickly, and put them in a backpack or container,
ready to go.
6. Be familiar with different types of fire extinguishers and how
to locate them. Know the location and availability of hard hats
in buildings in which you spend a lot of time.
Preparing for a Building Explosion
Explosions can collapse buildings and cause fires. People who live
or work in a multi-level building can do the following:
1. Review emergency evacuation procedures.
Know where emergency exits are located.
2. Keep fire extinguishers in working order. Know where they are
located, and learn how to use them.
3. Learn first aid. Contact the local chapter of the American Red
Cross for information and training.
4. Building owners should keep the following items in a designated
place on each floor of the building.
o Portable, battery-operated radio and extra
batteries
o Several flashlights and extra batteries
o First aid kit and manual
o Several hard hats
o Fluorescent tape to rope off dangerous
areas
<<MORE
ON EXPLOSIVES SAFETY>>
What to do to Prepare for a Chemical or Biological Attack
o Assemble a disaster
supply kit and be sure to include:
o Battery-powered
commercial radio with extra batteries.
o Non-perishable
food and drinking water.
o Roll of
duct tape and scissors.
o Plastic
for doors, windows and vents for the room in which you will shelter
in place- this should be an internal room where you can block
out air that may contain hazardous chemical or biological agents. To
save critical time during an emergency, sheeting should be pre-measured
and cut for each opening.
o First aid
kit.
o Sanitation
supplies including soap, water and bleach.
<<CHEMICAL
AND BIOGOLICAL ATTACK SAFETY>>
<<CHEMICAL
TERRORISM FACTS>> <<BIOLOGICAL
TERRORISM FACTS>>
Preparing for a Nuclear Attack
Nuclear explosions can cause deadly effects-blinding
light, intense heat (thermal radiation), initial nuclear radiation,
blast, fires started by the heat pulse, and secondary fires caused
by the destruction. They also produce radioactive particles called
fallout that can be carried by wind for hundreds of miles. Terrorist
use of a radiological dispersion device (RDD)-often called "dirty
nuke" or "dirty bomb"-is considered far more likely
than use of a nuclear device. These radiological weapons are a combination
of conventional explosives and radio-
active material designed to scatter dangerous and sub-lethal amounts
of radio-active material over a general area. Such radiological
weapons appeal to terrorists because they require very little technical
knowledge to build and deploy compared to that of a nuclear device.
Terrorist use of a nuclear device
would probably be limited to a single smaller "suitcase"
weapon. The strength of such a weapon would be in the range of the
bombs used during World War II. The nature of the effects would
be the same as a weapon delivered by an inter-continental missile,
but the area and severity of the effects would be significantly
more limited. There is no way of knowing how much warning time there
would be before an attack by a terrorist using a nuclear or radiological
weapon. A surprise attack remains a possibility. The danger of a
massive strategic nuclear attack on the United States involving
many weapons receded with the end of the Cold War. However, some
terrorists have been supported by nations that have nuclear weapons
programs.
<<NUCLEAR
TERRORISM FACTS>> <<NUCLEAR
TERRORISM SAFETY>>
All
information for this page obtained from FEMA
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