Terrorism
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Objectives (1 of 4)
• Describe the threat posed by terrorism
• Understand the definition of terrorism from a broad perspective
• Describe various types of potential terrorist targets
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Objectives (2 of 4)
• Understand the dangers posed by explosive devices and secondary explosive devices
• Define weapons of mass destruction
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Objectives (3 of 4)
• Understand the basic differences and indicators of chemical, biological, and radiological threats
• Describe operations considerations at a terrorism event, including initial actions, interagency coordination, decontamination, mass casualties, and triage
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Objectives (4 of 4)
• Identify the different levels distinguished in the Homeland Security Threat Level chart
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Terrorism Basics
• Response based on hazardous materials response
• Terrorism’s goal: Produce feelings of fear
• Domestic terrorism
• International terrorism
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Responding to Terrorist Incidents
• Same procedure as in other emergencies
• Differences– Landscape where incident is handled– Numerous agencies are involved– Training and working together are important
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Targets and Tactics
• Symbolic targets often chosen
• Often possible to predict likely targets
• Methods of attack vary
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Types of Targets (1 of 6)
• Infrastructure targets, including:– Bridges– Tunnels– Subways– Hospitals
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Types of Targets (2 of 6)
Subways, airports, bridges, and hospitals are all vulnerable to attack by terrorists who seek to interrupt a country’s infrastructure.
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Types of Targets (3 of 6)
• Symbolic targets– Symbols of national pride– Military bases– Embassies– Religious institutions
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Types of Targets (4 of 6)
Terrorists might attempt to destroy visible national icons.
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Types of Targets (5 of 6)
• Civilian targets– Shopping malls– Airports– Schools– Sports stadiums
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Types of Targets (6 of 6)
By attacking civilian targets such as a crowded stadium, terrorists might make citizens feel vulnerable in their everyday lives.
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Ecoterrorism
• Committed by groups supporting environmental causes
• Examples:– Spiking trees to disrupt logging– Vandalizing animal research laboratories– Firebombing store that sells fur coats
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Agroterrorism (1 of 2)
• Uses chemical or biological agents
• Attacks agricultural industry or food supply
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Agroterrorism (2 of 2)
Agroterrorism affects food supply or the agricultural industry.
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Cyberterrorism
• Electronically disrupting computer systems– Government computer systems– Private computer systems– The Internet
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Types of Devices (1 of 2)
• Ordinary objects can become powerful weapons– Gasoline tankers– Commercial airliners
• Bombs are most frequent
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Types of Devices (2 of 2)
• Shooting into a crowd
• Release of biological agent
• Computer virus
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Explosives
• Thousands of pounds stolen each year
• Can also be created with commonly available materials:– Improvised explosive device (IED)– Ammonium nitrate fertilizer and fuel oil
(ANFO)
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Pipe Bombs (1 of 2)
• Pipe bombs are most common IED
• Length of pipe filled with explosive substance
• Chemical/biological agents can be added
• Nails can be added
• Detonator like a hobby fuse
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Pipe Bombs (2 of 2)
Pipe bombs come in many shapes and sizes.
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Secondary Devices
• Placed in area where initial event occurred
• Intended to kill:– Emergency responders– Law enforcement personnel– Spectators– News reporters
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Potentially Explosive Device
• A device that has not yet exploded
• Remove civilians from area
• Establish perimeter at safe distance
• Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel handle
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Actions Following an Explosion
• Ensure your own safety
• Ensure safety of scene
• Follow departmental procedures
• Consider possibility of secondary device
• Qualified personnel should check for other contaminants (biological, radiological)
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Work with Other Agencies Following Explosion
• Local, state, and federal agencies
• FBI
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• Military EOD units
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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
• Chemical agents
• Biological agents
• Radiological agents
• NFPA 472 annex provides specific information about terrorist attack agents
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Chemical Agents (1 of 3)
• Kill or injure large numbers of people
• Readily available
• Can be distributed in different ways:– Releasing gas from storage tank– Adding to explosive device– Crop-dusting aircraft
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Chemical Agents (2 of 3)
Crop-dusting equipment could be used to distribute chemical agents.
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Chemical Agents (3 of 3)
• Include:– Nerve agents– Blistering agents– Pulmonary agents– Blood agents
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Nerve Agents (1 of 2)
• Toxic chemical agents
• Attack nervous system
• Examples: Sarin, V-agent (VX)
• Antidotes exist
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Nerve Agents (2 of 2)
When a person is exposed to a nerve agent, the symptoms of exposure will become evident within minutes.
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Blistering Agents (1 of 2)
• Contact causes skin to blister
• Examples: – Sulfur mustard– Lewisite
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Blistering Agents (2 of 2)
Typical effects of blistering agents.
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Pulmonary Agents
• Choking agents
• Examples:– Phosgene– Chlorine
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Blood Agents
• Interfere with use of oxygen by cells
• Example: Cyanide
• Can be inhaled or ingested
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Protection from Chemical Agents(1 of 2)
• Use PPE
• Use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
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Protection from Chemical Agents(2 of 2)
If an unusual odor is reported at the scene, responders must don full PPE including SCBA.
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Biological Agents
• Organisms that cause disease
• Examples– Anthrax– Plague– Smallpox
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Protection from Biological Agents
(1 of 2)
• Responders unlikely to recognize signs– Due to incubation period
• Recognition likely to come from– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)– Area hospitals
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Protection from Biological Agents
(2 of 2)
• Once threat recognized, wear appropriate:– Gloves– Masks with HEPA filters– Eye protection– Surgical gowns when treating patients
• Seek medical care for flu-like symptoms
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Radiological Agents
• Different threat from nuclear detonation
• Energy released in form of waves or particles:– Alpha particles– Beta particles– Gamma radiation
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Protection from Radiological Agents
• Limit exposure time
• Stay as far away as possible
• Personal dosimeter
• Appropriate PPE
• Shielding
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Dirty Bomb
• Radiation dispersal device (RDD)
• Dissemination of radioactive material
• No nuclear detonation
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Operations
• Initial actions – Approach like hazardous materials incident
• Interagency coordination
• Decontamination
• Mass casualties
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Mass Decontamination
• Master stream devices from engine companies
• Aerial apparatus to create showers
• Allows rapid decontamination
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Mass Casualties
• Special mass-casualty plan essential
• Decontamination must be addressed
• Triage
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Additional Resources
• FBI
• FEMA
• Department of Homeland Security
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Department of Homeland Security(1 of 2)
• Homeland Security Threat Advisories
• Homeland Security Information Bulletins
• Color-coded threat-level system
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Department of Homeland Security(2 of 2)
Color-coded threat-level system.
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Summary (1 of 3)
• Goal of terrorism is to produce fear
• Terrorism can occur in any community
• Ordinary objects can be turned into weapons
• Secondary devices explode after initial device
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Summary (2 of 3)
• Weapons of mass destruction include: – Chemical agents– Biological agents– Radiological agents– Conventional weapons and explosives
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Summary (3 of 3)
• Important to identify type of agent
• Establish staging area at safe distance
• Interagency coordination important part of response
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