WHAT IS TERRORISM?
Terrorism is the use of force or violence for the purpose of intimidation. Terrorists use threats to create fear among the public, to convince citizens that they and their government are powerless to protect them or to prevent terrorism and to get publicity.
There are two types of terrorism that we recognize in the United States - domestic terrorism and international terrorism.
Domestic terrorism are groups or individuals within the United States who commit acts of terrorism without foreign directions.
International terrorism involves groups or individuals whose activities are foreign-based and directed by elements outside the US and whose activities transcend national boundaries.
Until recently, most terrorist strikes in the US has occurred in the Western States and Puerto Rico. 60 percent of all terrorist attacks between 1983 and 1991 occurred in Puerto Rico, which is a US territory.
A terrorist attack can take several forms, depending on the technological means available, the political issue motivating the attack and the weaknesses of the intended target. Bombings is the most frequent method of terrorism in the United States. Other forms of terrorism include attacks at transportation facilities, attacks against utilities and public services and incidents involving chemical and biological agents.
The Department of Defense estimates that as many as 26 nations may possess chemical agents and/or weapons and an additional 12 may be seeking to develop them. The Central Intelligence Agency reports that at least 10 countries are believed to possess or be conducting research on biological agents for weaponization.
BEFORE TERRORISM STRIKES...
Learn about terrorism. Learn about the different types of weapons used including explosives, kidnapping, hijackings, arson and shootings.
Be ready to deal with any situation by preparing as you would for regular disasters:
Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Terrorism doesn't usually give warnings.
Be aware of peculiar or suspicious behavior.
Be aware of unattended luggage or packages.
Always have an out. Know where exits are located.
Think ahead in buildings - locate staircases in case elevators are down.
Look around where you are and be aware of furniture or heavy objects that can fall on you in an explosion.
Make sure fire extinguishers are in working order in your home and work.
Learn first aid.
It's also a good thing to have a Disaster Plan and box at your office as well as in your car and in your home. Make sure you have supplies in a box or bag at your desk that include a flashlight, radio, extra batteries for both, small first aid kit, maybe even a hard hat, and some small pouches of water and PowerBars or candy of some sort.
DURING AN ATTACK
Bomb Threats - If you receive a phone call reporting a bomb threat, get as much information as possible from the caller. The main questions should be: what kind, where, when it'll go off, and if possible who and why. Notify the police and building security IMMEDIATELY.
Do not touch or move ANY suspicious packages. Notify authorities and move everyone away from the area of the package. Once the building is evacuated, move away from the building and don't stand near windows or potential projectiles that will move if the package explodes.
If there is an explosion, move carefully and quickly to the nearest exit Be careful of falling objects. If there's a fire, stay low to the floor and feel closed doors for heat before opening them. If possible you should cover your nose and mouth with a piece of clothing to protect against dust and smoke. If you're trapped in debris, tap on a wall or a pipe so rescuers can find you.
CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL TERRORISM THREATS
The nature of these agents and the threats they pose are so great that they will be covered in detail in the other sections under disaster preparedness but we will give you some information here.
Chemical agents are poisons in gas, liquid or solid form. They can cause serious injury or death to humans, animals and plants.
Biological agents are bacteria, organisms, spores or toxins that can produce illness or death in humans, animals or plant life.
There is NO assistance that the untrained can offer that would likely be of any value to the victims of chemical or biological agents. In fact, fear of contamination is a greater risk.
AFTER THE INCIDENT
Go through and assess the incident. What could you have done differently to prevent yourself from being in that situation? What did you forget? What supplies should you have had on hand. When it comes to hi-jacking, most incidents end peacefully after negotiations. Most hostage situations end that way also but as recent events have shown us, you can ask all the questions you want in advance but there is no way to second guess what goes through the mind of a terrorist.
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