The Public Response To Terrorism

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The Public Response To Terrorism

By C. L. Staten, Sr. National Security Analyst, Emergency Response &
Research Institute

ERRI Note to the Reader:

Recent terrorist events in New York City and Washington, DC have
prompted a intense interest in personal and family preparedness,
particularly in regard to any possible threat of a terrorist attack
involving chemical/biological/nuclear weapons. It is respectfully
suggested that one of the best things for American citizens to do at
this time is to "REMAIN CALM," and try to return, as much as possible,
to your regular daily routine.

In our considered opinion as both a long-time terrorism analysts and
emergency service providers, to do otherwise and to give into any sort
of "fear" is exactly what terrorists want to accomplish. That is one
of the main objectives of these mass murderers...to attempt to cause
fear in the U.S. civilian population and to foster a sense of mistrust
in our government and its ability to protect us. We, at ERRI, do not
intend to give in to this intended manipulation of our emotions or to
give the terrorists any satisfaction in their obvious attempt at the
intimidation of the United States.

Please know that hundreds of thousands of Fire, EMS, Police, Disaster,
Health, and other elected and appointed government officials are all
working twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, to constantly
monitor and reassess the need for additional self-preparedness
measures that you can/should take. You can rest assured that they will
inform you immediately via public service announcements and the
Emergency Broadcast System about other recommendations that they may
have in regard to your continued health and safety. Further, please
know that ERRI and EmergencyNet News will do its best to quickly
provide you with any pertinent government advisories that may offer
additional guidance for you and your family.

Given the unpredictable nature of terrorism, and its potential for
extreme violence, the measures provided below can not be expected to
be a complete list of those measures which may be necesary to prevent
injury, death, or property damage. This advice is offered pre-gratis
and "as is" and certainly should not be considered the "end-all" and
"be-all" of information on this topic. ERRI/EmergencyNet News cannot
accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions contained
herein.

In recent days, ERRI and EmergencyNet News has received literally
hundreds of e-mails and phone calls asking for advice on terrorism
preparedness issues. Although this certainly is not the definitive
explanation of these issues, it is hoped that this document can at
least be a starting point for those interested in learning more about
what they can do to be more prepared for future events.

Finally, instead of engaging in hyperbole about gas masks or trying to
offer specific tactical or medical advice, as some have done in regard
to current terrorism situation, we believe that a reasonable and
rational approach should include greater knowledge of some basic and
fairly simple measures that can be undertaken by individuals and
familes to help better prepare themselves for terrorism or any other
kind of disaster. We call these measures an "All Hazards" approach to
the public response to terrorism...
   

"All Hazards" Family Emergency Plan

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It could be a house
or wild fire, it might be a weather-related emergency such as a flood,
tornado, or hurricane, or winter storm. It could even be a terrorist
attack. This disaster could force you to evacuate your neighborhood or
confine you inside your home...depending on circumstances of the
disaster. Think...What would you do if basic services -- water, gas,
electricity or telephones -- were cut off?  Local officials will be on
the scene of your emergency as soon as possible, but they cannot reach
everyone right away.

Families can -- and do -- cope with many kinds of disaster by
preparing in advance and working as a team. Follow some of the ideas
below to create your family's disaster plan.  Knowing what to do, and
practicing it before an emergency strikes, is probably your best
protection and among your greatest responsibilities. 


Create a Plan 

* Meet with household members to discuss the dangers of fire, severe
  cold or hot weather, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, terrorism
  and other dire emergencies. Discuss how to respond to each. 

* Take a basic first aid and CPR class. These skills may be essential
  to help you to assist your own family, a neighbor, or others

* Find the safe spots in your house for each type of emergency. 

* Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries. 

* Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each
  room. 

* Show family members how to turn off electricity, water and gas at
  main switches when necessary. 

* Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones. 

* Teach children how and when to call 911 or other appropriate phone
  numbers for police, fire, and EMS agencies. 

* Instruct household members to turn on a radio, dialed to a local
  radio station for emergency information. (Note: Know where to find 
  a flashlight, battery operated radio and extra batteries.)

* Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family
  members to call if separated during a disaster. (It is often times
  easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area.) 

* Teach children your out-of-state contact's phone number. 

* Pick two emergency meeting places: 

a. A place near your home, in case of fire. 

b. A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. 

* Once it can be ascertained that your family is safe and your
  circumstances are under control, please consider checking on 
  elderly or disabled relatives, friends, and neighbors who may 
  need assistance

* Keep essential family records in a water and fire-proof
  container..or even in a safe deposit box at your local bank. 


Make a Emergency Supplies Kit 

In some types of emergencies, you might need to evacuate. Some
families like to prepare ahead by assembling things they would need to
take with them such as: 

1. Clothing, personal hygiene items 

2. Medical supplies such as eyeglasses, dentures, necessary
   prescription drugs and a first aid kit - with sufficiant materials
   to treat several people 

3. Canned foods and bottled water (remember to check and rotate
   perishables)

4. Portable, battery powered radio and flashlight. 

5. Checkbook, credit cards and cash. 

6. Sleeping bags/extra blankets. 

7. Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members.

8. Technology Supplies:

a. Remember to bring Cell phones, PDA's, laptop computers, GPS, or
other communications and location devices...along with extra batteries
for them. Given the magnitude of the disaster, these devices may or
may not work. But, given the fact that often the internet continues to
function, even when other phone circuits may not be available, using
these technologies may prove beneficial.

Store this kit in a bag/bags you can easily carry to your car, or
store it in your car. This kit could also come in handy if you're
stranded on the road. 
 

Practice and Maintain Your Plan 

* Quiz your family members every six months to ensure that they
  remember what to do. 

* Conduct annual family drills on evacuation, sheltering-in-place,
  fire and other emergency situations . 

* Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to
  manufacturer's instructions. 

* Test your smoke/Carbon Monoxide detectors monthly and change the
  batteries at least twice a year. 


Other agencies to contact for additional information:

U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency
Your State Emergency Management Agency
Your Local Emergency Management Agency
Your local Fire, Police, EMS agencies 
The American Red Cross
The American Heart Association

*** These recommendations are modified from and we wish to issue a
special thanks to the Office of Emergency Management in the State of
Oregon.

Reader Note: ERRI and EmergencyNet News make every reasonable effort
to verify the information and analysis that we send/post, but the
accuracy and completeness of the information, and of any statements or
opinions based therein, are NOT guaranteed. The reader assumes any or
all risks in using information posted or archived by ERRI or
EmergencyNet News. ERRI and Emergencynet News and/or its associated
correspondents, or other service providers, can NOT be held
responsible for errors or omissions, or held liable for any damages
incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted or archived
material. 

Courtesy of:

Emergency Response & Research Institute
EmergencyNet News Service
6348 N. Milwaukee Ave. #312
Chicago, IL 60646, USA
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