Contra Costa CERT Program: Terrorism Awareness

1. Contra Costa County CERT ProgramUnit 8 – Terrorism Awareness Released: 18 August 2011

2. Community Emergency Response Team • Personal safety is ALWAYS the number one priority • Work as a team • Wear personal protective equipment…gloves, helmet, goggles, N95 mask and boots • The CERT goal is to do the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number • Hope for the best but plan for the worst

3. Unit Objectives • Define terrorism • Identify potential targets in the community • Identify CERT operating procedures for a terrorist incident • Describe the actions to take following a suspected terrorist incident

4. What Is Terrorism? The unlawful use of force or violence committed by a group or individual against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. --U.S. Department of Justice

5. Domestic International Terrorism S.L.A.

6. Terrorist Goals • Mass casualties • Loss of critical resources • Disruption of vital services • Disruption of the economy • Individual and mass panic

7. Terrorist Targets • Seats of government • Key industries • Bridges, subways, tunnels, and other key transportation facilities • Water supplies and utilities

8. Terrorist Weapons • Biological • Nuclear • Radiological • Incendiary • Chemical • Explosive

9. Biological Weapons • Targets: • People • Animals • Crops • Routes of exposure: • Inhalation • Ingestion • Absorption

10. Biological Weapons • Bioterrorism Weapons: • Bacteria - Anthrax • Viruses - Ebola / Small Pox • Toxins – Botulism, ricin • Agents: • May take days or weeks to be confirmed • May spread far beyond initial contamination point • Considered high risk

11. Nuclear Weapons • Much different than conventional weapons: • Many casualties • Very large area affected • Long-term health effects • Derives destructive force from nuclear reaction • Affected area gets larger as contaminated objects spread • Potential for casualties extends beyond initial attack • Long-term effects difficult to monitor and track • Considered low but increasing risk

12. Radiation Dispersal Devices • Conventional explosive with radioactive element • Radiological materials readily available • Hospitals, medical and dental offices • Considered moderate to high risk

13. Incendiary Devices (Firebombs) • Used to initiate combustion • Easy to make • Easy to use • Low impact

14. Chemical Agents • Five types • Blister agents (Mustard) • Blood agents (Cyanide) • Choking agents (Chlorine) • Nerve agents (Sarin) • Riot-control agents (CS/ CN) • Components readily available • Onset of symptoms from immediate to 18 hours • Considered moderate risk

15. Conventional Explosives • Terrorists “weapons of choice” • Car Bombs • Pipe Bombs • Letter Bombs, etc. • Can be: • Military munitions • Improvised explosive devices (IED) • Considered high risk

16. Galvanized Pipe Bomb Video

17. Self-Care During Terrorist Incidents At the incident: • Get upwind and uphill • Lead others • Limit exposure time • Increase the distance from the hazard • Add shielding

18. Wind Direction “Cold Zone”Safe Area “Warm Zone”Evacuation & Decontamination Area “Hot Zone” Incident Contaminated Area Establishing Zones

19. CERTs and Terrorist Incidents IF YOU FIND A SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE: • Do not touch it! • Move away from the object or area • Report it to authorities Caution! Using cellular phones or two-way radios may detonate an explosive device!

20. Terrorism Indicators Environmental indicators: • Sick or dead animals, fish, or birds • Unscheduled spraying • Vapor clouds or mists • Absence of crops, wildlife, or insects

21. Terrorism Indicators Environmental indicators: • Out of place and unattended packages, boxes, or vehicles • Packages that are leaking • Unusual materials or equipment • Small explosions that disperse liquids, mists, or gases • Unusual odors or tastes

22. Terrorism Indicators Physical indicators: • Many casualties without signs of obvious trauma • Victims who are exhibiting similar symptoms • Large numbers seeking medical attention

23. CERT Response To Terrorism During terrorist events, help people get to safety and leave resolution to professional responders !!! Terrorism scenes are also crime scenes!

24. Preparing for Terrorism • Assemble a disaster supply kit • Identify a safe room and meeting place outside of the home or workplace • Develop a family communication plan • Learn shelter-in-place procedures

25. Shelter-in-Place Procedures • Shut off Heating and A/C system • Go to safe room with disaster supply kit • Duct tape plastic sheeting over openings where outside air can come in • Seal with duct tape other areas where air can come in • Listen to battery-powered AM/FM radio for all clear • Ventilate room once contaminants are gone

26. Protection from Radioactive Fallout • Go deep inside a building (distance/shielding) • Stay inside (time) • Stay tuned

27. Basic Decontamination Procedures • Leave the contaminated area • Take decontamination action • Remove everything • Wash hands before using them to shower • Shower or flush with cool water • Blot dry • Report for decontamination

28. Treating Others • First priority for a CERT member is personal safety • Take self-protective measures only • Do not attempt to treat victims in contaminated area • Listen for official Public Health Advisories about decontamination procedures

29. CERT Guiding Principles • Always do a thorough sizeup • Step 1…Gather facts • What are the dangers? • Step 2…Assess your situation • What are team capabilities? • What are team limitations? • Step 3…Develop a plan of action • Step 4…Take action and evaluate Team safety is the number one priority

30. Local Terrorist Targets List:

31. Questions

32. Unit Summary • Terrorism goals • Potential targets in the community • CERT operating procedures for a terrorist incident • Actions to take following a suspected terrorist incident