| Terrorism only involves groups or individuals whose terrorist activities are foreign-based and/or directed by countries or groups outside the United States. | View Page |
| An advantage of using chemical agents as weapons of mass destruction is that: | View Page |
| The Homeland Security Advisory system provides warnings in the form of a set of graduated “threat levels”. The color yellow indicates: | View Page |
| Terrorism Defined The United States Code, Title 22, Chapter 38, Section 2656f(d)(2) defines terrorism as: “Premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents.” Terrorism, then, is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the United States for purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom. Terrorists use threats to create fear among the public in an effort to convince them that their government is powerless to stop acts of terrorism. It is also a way for the terrorists to get publicity for their causes. | View Page |
| Terrorism Targets Targets the terrorists might use include high-profile landmarks, airports, plus civilian and military government facilities. They might also target large public gatherings such as bowl games, our water and food supplies, even public utilities. In addition, the terrorists may attempt to spread fear by sending explosives, chemical or biological agents through the mail. | View Page |
| Types of Terrorism The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) categorizes terrorism in the United States as one of two types -- domestic terrorism or international terrorism. Domestic terrorism involves groups or individuals whose terrorist activities are directed at elements of our government or population without foreign direction.International terrorism involves groups or individuals whose terrorist activities are foreign-based and/or directed by countries or groups outside the United States or whose activities transcend national boundaries. | View Page |
| High profile landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty or the White House are the only places at risk from terrorist attack. | View Page |
| Advantages of using Biological Agents (cont.) They can have a psychological impact.Biological WMD’s could possibly have a psychological impact that will go far beyond their actual effect. The very thought of exposure to a biological agent may possibly cause many people to panic. Biological WMDs can tie up resources.Some biological agents can be a hazard for lengthy periods. The use of these agents may require tedious, time-consuming, resource-intensive decontamination and monitoring of facilities before they can be returned to service. Defense may be difficult.It is very difficult for civilian government agencies to prepare for biological terrorist incidents. While most civilian agencies have some kind of hazardous material or HAZMAT response teams; in the event of a biological terrorist incident, these teams are likely to be challenged beyond their capability in terms of human resources, and equipment. | View Page |
| Disadvantages of Using Chemical Agents as WMDs There can be unpredictable consequences.A terrorist group might not be able to effectively use them without causing harm to themselves. There are often unpredictable effects.Environmental conditions may cause the chemical agent to dissipate making it difficult to deliver a lethal dose. | View Page |
| Reference Labs Next up on the pyramid are the reference laboratories. These laboratories are sometimes referred to as “confirmatory reference” laboratories. They can perform tests to detect and confirm (rule-in) the presence of a threat agent. These labs ensure a timely local response in the event of a terrorist incident. Rather than having to rely on confirmation from laboratories at CDC, reference laboratories are capable of producing conclusive results. This allows local authorities to respond quickly to emergencies. | View Page |
| Your Response Both private and governmental agencies are working hard to develop and implement effective and efficient response plans to terrorist activities. But those plans, no matter how well conceived or planned, can never be as effective or efficient as needed without the full cooperation and assistance of private citizens. There is an old saying that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The remainder of the training will discuss what you as an individual can do to not only help prevent terrorist activity, but also how to prepare in the unthinkable possibility that a terrorist attack might occur. | View Page |
| Your Response – At Work Recent events, including the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and the subsequent bioterrorist releases of anthrax, have been a harsh awakening that the nation’s workplaces could be terrorist targets.Traditionally laboratory safety guidelines have emphasized use of optimal work practices, appropriate containment equipment, well-designed facilities, and administrative controls to minimize risks of unintentional infection or injury for laboratory workers. Today, in addition to the above, laboratories must make a risk and threat assessment, secure data and electronic technology systems, plus develop policies regarding specimen accountability, facility security, and emergency response.The next few pages will cover a number of things that you can do to assist in making your laboratory more risk free to a terrorist attack and some things you can do in case that security is breached. You too have a role in the security of your workplace! | View Page |
| Be Prepared Remember what was said earlier about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure? Not only do we want to prevent a terrorist attack, but we want to prevent disaster in the event there is an emergency. The following are some tips to help you do that:1) Know where your facility’s emergency action plan is located and study it before you need to use it.2) Participate in all evacuation drills. Recognize what the evacuation signal is. Know in advance your evacuation route. Listen for any instructions. Shut down any equipment under your control. Proceed to your designated assembly area. | View Page |
| The Fear Factor in Bioterrorism As the term suggests, Terrorists excel at creating panic. What is so insidious about chemical and biological terrorism is that it involves agents that we can’t see. People don’t know how to react when they can’t see what is hurting them. There are several examples, from a commercial bus crash to someone who reported smelling gas in a school, where rumors that the incidents were caused by either biological or chemical terrorism triggered an “epidemic hysteria”. In both areas the local hospital’s emergency room was overwhelmed. In each of the incidents mentioned, State and Federal officials spent countless hours investigating and found no possible biohazard, but the panic was real. From these experiences we see more than ever that healthcare workers are not just the first line of defense in the event of an actual attack, they are who the public looks to for rationality and reliable information in an bioterrorism emergency. | View Page |
| Your Response - Beyond the Workplace As a healthcare professional, your preparedness and response in the event of a terrorist attack is not limited to just your workplace. The following pages give a brief overview of what you can do to help protect yourself, your family, and your community. | View Page |
| Be Aware Vigilance on the part of all citizens is one of the best ways of preventing and detecting crime, including terrorist crime. By their nature, acts of terrorism happen quickly, often with very little warning before hand. But, by being alert and aware of your surroundings, you can react quickly to any situation that may arise. The following are things experts recommend that you can do to not only help prevent terrorist attacks, but to help you be better prepared in the event an attack does occur. | View Page |
| Homeland Security Advisory System Overview The Homeland Security Advisory System provides warnings in the form of a set of graduated “threat levels” that increase as the risk of the threat increases. The greater the risk of a terrorist attack, the higher the threat level. The risk includes both the probability of an attack occurring and its potential gravity. There are five threat conditions, each identified by a description and corresponding color. From lowest to highest, the levels and colors are:Green: This condition is declared when there is a low risk of terrorist attacks.Blue: This condition is declared when there is a general risk of terrorist attacks.Yellow: An elevated condition is declared when there is a significant risk of terrorist attacks.Orange: A high condition is declared when there is a high risk of terrorist attacks.Red: A severe condition reflects a severe risk of terrorist attacks. | View Page |
| If there is a low threat of terrorist attack, then the Homeland Security advisory level will be: | View Page |
| What if: Chemical Attack A chemical attack involves poisonous vapors, aerosols, liquids, or compounds. A terrorist might spread harmful chemicals with a bomb; spray from aircraft, boats, or vehicles; pour the chemicals into water or onto food; or leave a container of poisonous chemical in a confined public space. | View Page |
| What if: Biological Attack Biological attacks involve bacteria, viruses or natural toxins. The effects of toxins can be immediate but for bacteria and viruses the effects may not be apparent for weeks. A bio-terrorist may attack by infecting animals, contaminating food and water, spraying bacteria or viruses into the air. In infections such as smallpox and plague, once a few individuals are infected they can further spread the disease from person to person. An attack could also come from through a building’s ventilation system, the mail, or even through exposure to an infected terrorist seeking to spread disease during an infectious stage. | View Page |
| In the End Fortunately, the chance of being injured or killed in a terrorist incident is remote. While not minimizing the tragedy of September 11, every month more people die nation-wide from automobile accidents than died in the collapse of the World Trade Towers. However, while you should not become complacent and assume an “it can’t happen to me” attitude, you must not allow the threat of terrorism to prevent you and those you care about from living normal lives. The key to managing this dilemma is to: Remain alert Report suspicious activities to the authorities Have a thought through plan on how to react if an emergency arises regardless of the time of day or location | View Page |