Terrorism
Although a
terrorist incident can occur at any time and any place
without warning, terrorists look for visible targets
where they can avoid detection before or after an attach
such as international airports, large cities, major
international events, resorts, and high profile
landmarks.
- Be alert and aware of the
surrounding area. The very nature of terrorism
suggests that there may be little or no warning.
- Take precautions when traveling.
Be aware of conspicuous or unusual behavior. Do not
accept packages from strangers. Do not leave luggage
unattended.
- Learn where emergency exits are
located. Think ahead about how to evacuate a
building, subway, or congested public area in a
hurry. Learn where staircases are located.
- Notice your immediate
surroundings. Be aware of heavy or breakable objects
that could move, fall or break in an explosion.
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Preparing for a Building
Explosion
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| The use of
explosives by terrorists can result in collapsed
buildings and fires. People who work in a
multilevel building can do the following. |
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| Chemical Agents |
Chemical agents are
poisonous gasses, liquids or solids that have
toxic effects on people, animals, or plants.
Most chemical agents cause serious injury or
death.
Severity of injuries depends on the type and
amount of the chemical agent used and the
duration of the exposure.
If a chemical agent attack were to occur,
authorities would instruct citizens to either
seek shelter where they are and seal the
premises or evacuate immediately. Exposure to
chemical agents can be fatal. Leaving the
shelter to rescue or assist victims can be a
deadly decision. There is no assistance that the
untrained can offer that would likely be of any
value to the victims of chemical agents. |
| Biological Agents |
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Biological agents are
organisms or toxins that have illness-producing
effects on people, livestock, and crops.
Because biological agents cannot necessarily be
detected and may take time to grow and cause a
disease, it is almost impossible to know that a
biological attack has occurred. If government
officials become aware of a biological attack
through an informant or warning by terrorists,
they would most likely instruct citizens to
either seek shelter where they are and seal the
premises or evacuate immediately.
A person affected by a biological agent requires
the immediate attention of professional medical
personnel. Some agents are contagious and
victims may need to be quarantined. Also, some
medical facilities may not receive victims for
the fear of contaminating the hospital
population.
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| Preparation at Home |
- Have a family evacuation
plan in place
- Every family member
should have a telephone number of an out of
state contact that all family members can
call if they become separated
- Every member should have
positive identification with them
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| Home Supplies |
-
Ten day supply of drinking water
- Ten day supply of
nonperishable foods
- Three week supply of
prescription medication
- Cash (ATM's and banks
could be closed in an emergency)
- A whistle to signal for
help
- First aid kit with first
aid manual
- Fire extinguisher
- Battery operated radio
with extra sets of batteries
- Flashlights, one for
each member of the family with extra
batteries for all
- Important documents -
insurance policies and the like should
always be stored together if you need to
evacuate quickly
- Residents should call
their local Red Cross and take advantage of
their first aid courses
-
Keep a list of
local emergency numbers
- Know the location of
your local hospital
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Finally,
DO NOT SIGHT SEE.
Stay out of restricted areas. Your presence
could interfere with emergency operations. Only
trained essential personnel (police, auxiliary
police, firefighters, Red Cross, military, and
utilities personnel) should be in the effected
areas. |
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