Just in Case (44 page)

MASKS ARE NDT HELPFUL

Do not count on painters’ or surgical masks to provide influenza protection. Painters’ masks are designed to keep you from inhaling the large particles of dust and paint that float around during building projects. Surgical masks are designed to protect the patient, not the doctor, from contamination. Influenza virus will float around and through these masks and enter the body through eyes, nose, and mouth.

CHAPTER 15 TERRORISM

We used to think we were safe. Terrorism was something that happened far away, to people we didn’t know. No one thinks that anymore. Terrorism can happen anywhere, anytime, to anybody. Even if you live, as I do, in a quiet, rural village, a terrorist attack can threaten your food supply, your ability to communicate with loved ones, your freedom to travel, and your access to your financial assets. For much of the world, this has been true for decades. The United States is just playing catch-up.

Preparing for a terrorist attack is not as simple as preparing for a winter storm. The threat could be biological, chemical, or radiological. It could come in the form of a bomb or explosion, or be as subtle as an attack on your computer system. Still, there are things you can do and information you must have to minimize your risk and vulnerability.

THE HDMELAND SECURITY ADVISDRY SYSTEM

W
HAT FDLLDWS IS
the framework our government uses to assess the risk of a terrorist attack on a day-to-day basis. The risk level changes based on intelligence about the likelihood of terrorist activity. An alert may be issued nationally or just for a particular geographic location, for instance a specific bridge, building, or institution. In general, the United States runs on blue alert unless intelligence reports cause an upgrade. You can find out the alert level at any given time by logging on to
www.ready.gov
.

LOW RISK = GREEN

At this level, the government recommends simply that you have a family emergency plan and supply kit. If you’ve developed a preparedness program, including an evacuation plan and communication plan, you’re already there.

GUARDED RISK = BLUE

At this level, the government recommends that you have adequate supplies in the house to deal with disaster. Again, if you’re working with a preparedness program, you’re already there.

ELEVATED RISK = YELLOW

At this level, the government recommends that you be alert for suspicious activity and report any to authorities. It also recommends that you have disaster supplies stocked, a family emergency communications plan, and designated evacuation routes, all of which, of course, you’ll have in place if you’re following a preparedness program.

HIGH RISK = ORANGE

At this level, the government recommends that you exercise caution when traveling and pay attention to travel advisories; expect some delays, baggage searches, and restrictions at public buildings; and check on neighbors and others who might need assistance in an emergency.

RED = SEVERE RISK

At this level, the government recommends that you stay tuned to radio or TV for current information and instructions, listen to local emergency management officials, be prepared to shelter or evacuate as instructed, expect traffic delays and restrictions, provide volunteer services only as requested, and contact your school/business to determine the status of your workday.

BDMBS

B
OMBS ARE OFTEN
a terrorist’s weapon of choice for a number of reasons. A bomb is quite portable. One can be detonated from a remote location, and there seems to be no end to the number of people willing to sacrifice their own lives to deliver one. The directions for making bombs are easily available in bookstores and on the Internet. Even the raw materials for very deadly devices are readily and inexpensively purchased at hardware and feed stores. An attack on any public place such as a restaurant, school, mall, or house of worship can take many lives and have a devastating psychological effect, which is the main point. The terrorist wins when people are frightened.

I think we all should exercise due caution, especially in large, public arenas, but continue to enjoy our lives and important activities. Be prepared, but don’t let fear win.

IN THE MAIL

Mailing bombs is one common method of delivery. As a general guide, the following things should make you suspicious:

• An unexpected package from someone you don’t know.

• A package with no return address.

• A package with misspellings of common words and places.

• A package using an incorrect business title or no name with a title, such as “President.”

• A package for which the city and state on the postmark don’t match the city and state on the return address.

• Packages with noticeable wires, foul odors, or stains.

• Packages with restrictions to the handlers such as “Do Not X-ray,” “Confidential,” or “To Be Opened Only By …”

If you are suspicious of any package you receive, do not open or move it. Contact your local police department immediately.

PHONED BOMB THREATS

IF YOU RECEIVE A BOMB THREAT BY PHONE:

• Get as much information as you can from the caller.

• Record the call if possible.

• Keep the caller on the line as long as you can.

• Notify the police immediately. If the building you’re in has its own security, notify them also.

IN THE EVENT …

IF A BOMB EXPLODES NEAR YOU:

• If debris is falling, get under something sturdy and heavy, such as a table or desk.

• If you’re indoors, for example at your workplace, exit the building as soon as debris settles. Do not stop to gather belongings, make calls, or retrieve files, as there may be structural damage to the building that could cause it to collapse. Do not use the elevators. Even if they are working, the power could be cut at any time.

• Move immediately away from buildings that have been affected by the blast. Falling debris could still pose a hazard.

• If you’ve been injured, wait in the triage area, and understand that the most seriously injured will be attended to first.

• Make notes of anything you may have noticed before an event. Your memory of the details may fade quickly.

IF YOU ARE TRAPPED IN DEBRIS:

• Do not shout unless you hear rescuers calling. Shouting will cause you to inhale dust and debris. Save it for when help is close by.

• Lie as still as possible to reduce the amount of dust stirred up.

• Tap on a pipe or wall to aid rescuers in locating you. If you have a flashlight or whistle, all the better; use them to signal your location.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth if possible. Dense-weave cotton is best, but you should use whatever you have on hand.

• Try to stay calm. Remember that help is coming.

BIDLDGICAL THREATS

P
EDPLE SEEM TO
fear biological threats more than any type of attack. Bacteria, viruses, and toxins are terrifying weapons because they come silently and kill indiscriminately. Protecting yourself from them is also very challenging. However, biological weapons are difficult to grow, requiring specialized laboratories and trained personnel. They are also hard to maintain, breaking down quickly unless kept in the right environment. Light, heat, cold, and time will degrade many biological agents. Still, some pose a considerable threat, and it is wise to know something about them.

Some potential germ warfare agents are anthrax, botulism, bubonic plague, Ebola (or other hemorrhagic fever), E. coli, and listeria. The list could be much longer, but these are thought to be among the most likely. There are vaccines for some, but not for others. Some are treatable, while others have very high mortality rates. There are few general rules that apply to all.

An agent may be transmitted to humans in one of four ways:

•
Aerosols:
An agent is transmitted as a fine mist that may drift on air currents for many miles.

•
Animals:
Many animals are vectors for disease. Fleas carry plague and mosquitoes carry malaria. Mice, livestock, rodents, and insects can all harbor disease.

•
Food and water:
Some toxins, such as botulism, salmonella, and E. coli, are transmitted through our food and water. Proper food handling will prevent the spread of some, but not all, food-borne pathogens.

•
Person-to-person:
The hemorrhagic fevers, influenza, and smallpox are just a few of the diseases spread from one person to another. With the ease and frequency of global travel, a terrorist attack using this type of biological agent could threaten the entire planet.

The government response to a biological attack will be slower than it would be to a bomb. First, officials will need to determine what the agent is, what disease it spread, and how to care for those who are ill. All of this will take time. Individuals will likely be responsible for keeping themselves as well as possible, not just for their own sakes but for the sake of the greater society.

REDUCING YOUR RISK

Make sure you and your family are up-to-date on all suggested immunizations. Consider installing HEPA filters on all ductwork and ventilation systems. HEPA filters remove particles in the 0.3 to 10 micron range, which include most biological agents. However, it is nearly impossible to prevent these small particles from entering your home through the gaps and vents. After being dispersed, a biological agent will remain active for only a short window of time, so one option might be to seal off a room as tightly as possible and install HEPA filtration for the air in that room. You’d need to prepare for doing that now, before an attack; see page 135 for information on preparing a safe room.

Be sure your first-aid and home health kits are up-to-date. See
chapter 2
for information on these kits.

IN THE EVENT …

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU MAY HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH A BIOLOGICAL AGENT:

• Leave the area immediately.

• Wash your hands well with plenty of soap and hot water.

• Contact local authorities.

• Remove all clothing. Double bag it and follow instructions from authorities about disinfecting or disposing of it. Burning clothing will kill all infectious organisms.

• Seek medical attention if you become ill. Bear in mind that health facilities may become overwhelmed in an epidemic.

• Stay home. You should isolate yourself from other family members if they were not exposed. A safe room can provide the space for a quarantine room.

CHEMICAL AGENTS

L
IKE BIDLDGICAL THREATS,
a chemical agent can come in many forms. It can be a vapor, aerosol, liquid, or a solid. It can affect people, animals, or plants. An agent may wreak havoc on the environment. Chemicals may have a foul smell or be odorless and tasteless. It is possible to feel the effects of a toxic agent immediately, as in the case of sarin, or the effects may not become obvious for a day or two. Fortunately, most agents dissipate quickly outdoors and they are usually difficult to produce.

There would likely be no warning in a chemical attack. As always, general preparedness is your best defense. Make sure your disaster supplies include several rolls of duct tape, heavy scissors, and 1- to 6-mil plastic sheeting to aid in creating a short-term safe room (see page 135). To protect from a chemical attack, this room should be on the second floor or higher, as most agents are heavier than air and will accumulate at ground level.

IN THE EVENT …

IF A CHEMICAL ATTACK OF SOME TYPE HAS OCCURRED:

• Remain indoors, unless that is where the attack took place.

• Close all doors and windows and turn off ventilation, including heating systems and air conditioners.

• Take your evacuation kit to an interior space and seal the openings (see page 137).

• Listen to your radio for instructions on when it is safe to emerge. In general, expect the usefulness of a safe room to diminish after two to three hours. If there is less than ten square feet of space for each person, CO
₂
buildup will make the room uncomfortable very quickly. You will have to weigh your options when making decisions, which it why it is so critical to have a means of receiving reliable information.