Chapter 4 Hazards

The Terrorism Hazards The threat or risk posed by terrorism has introduced an expanded, and in some cases, new, set of hazards These hazards join the numerous traditional natural and technological hazards managed by emergency management agencies

4 Principal Categories of Terrorism Hazards Explosives Chemical Agents Biological Agents Nuclear / Radiological Agents CBRNE = Chemical, Biological, Radiological/ Nuclear, and Explosive

Other Terrorism Hazards Armed attack using firearms or other tactics Cyber-terrorism

Differences Between Terrorism and Traditional Hazards Knowledge about the traditional hazards, as a result of years of research, occurrence and response and recovery, is extensive. This is not so with Terrorism The intent of the terrorist threat differs from traditional hazards in that events are deliberate and are done for the sake of creating death, destruction, and fear

Who is vulnerable? Rural areas? Major US Cities? US Interests Abroad? Everyone is a potential victim to some degree Perceptions tend to overstate risk

New Issues to Consider Detection Containment Control Quarantine Vaccination Others

Conventional Explosives and Secondary Devices The easiest to obtain and use of all terrorist weapons May be used to cause massive local destruction or to disperse chemical, biological, or radiological agents Components are readily available, as are detailed instructions on constructing a device

Chemical Agents Intended to kill, seriously injure, or incapacitate people through physiological effects Can be introduced via: Aerosol devices (munitions; sprayers; aerosol generators) Breaking containers Covert dissemination

Chemical Agents Most chemical attacks will be localized, and their effects will be evident within a few minutes Chemicals can be non-persistent (last 10-15 minutes) or persistent (can last from hours to weeks, or longer)

Examples of Chemical Agents Hydrogen Cyanide Sulfur Mustard (Mustard Gas) Sarin Phosgene Tear Gas BZ

Biological Agents Natural or modified bacteria, virus, toxin, or other pathogen that is deliberately released for the purpose of causing incapacitation, injury, or death to human, animal, or plant life.

Recognition of Biological Agents Can occur through several methods, including: Identification of a credible threat Discovery of bioterrorism evidence (devices, agent, clandestine lab) Diagnosis (identification of a disease caused by an agent identified as a possible bioterrorism agent) Detection (gathering and interpretation of public health surveillance data)

Biological Agents The incubation period may range from several hours to a few weeks, depending on the exposure and pathogen Unlike explosives or some hazardous chemicals, the initial detection and response to a biological attack on civilians is likely to be made by direct patient care providers and the public health community

Examples of Biological Agents Anthrax Smallpox Plague Salmonellosis Typhoid Fever BotulismTularemia

Nuclear / Radiological 3 Forms of Nuclear / Radiological Attack: Improvised nuclear device (IND) - explosive device designed to cause a nuclear yield. Radiological dispersal device (RDD) employing an explosive device utilized to spread radioactive material upon detonation. RDD that spreads radiological material without the use of an explosive

Nuclear / Radiological The difficulty of responding to a nuclear or radiological incident is compounded by the nature of radiation itself. In an explosion, the fact that radioactive material was involved may or may not be obvious, depending upon the nature of the explosive device used

Combined Hazards Agents can be combined to achieve a synergistic effect-greater in total effect than the sum of their individual effects Agents may be combined to achieve both immediate and delayed consequences Combinations can complicate or delay diagnosis Multiple agents can take advantage of the reduced effectiveness of certain protective measures Multiple incidents can be deployed in single or multiple municipalities Example: The Dirty Bomb

Armed Attacks Terrorists may employ tactical methods Of 14,352 attacks in 2006, 67% involved armed assault. Terrorist attacks using more simple methods of attack can be devastatingly effective, together causing over 50% of all terrorism fatalities worldwide in 2006 (as well as in 2005)

Role of CDC in Preparedness and Response Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) have become full partners in the nation’s emergency management system CDC helps the nation to prepare for WMD incidents, and would be the chief public health entity to respond to them CDC would assist and advise the Lead Federal Agency and the State and local health departments CDC could deploy the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile

Cyber-Terrorism The newest of all terrorist attack methods The use or destruction of computing or information technology resources aimed at harming, coercing, or intimidating others in order to achieve a greater political or ideological goal Threat continues to grow as reliance on information technology, computers, and the internet grows Has been a private sector concern since the 1980s Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 7: Critical Infrastructure Identification, Prioritization, and Protection

Cyber-Terrorism Continued National Cyber Security Division (NCSD) has two primary objectives, namely: Build and maintain an effective national cybersecurity response system Implement a cyber-risk management program for protection of critical infrastructure NCSD Mission: “Protect the critical cyber infrastructure 24 hours a day, 7 days a week” Examples of current cyber preparedness and response programs include: Cyber Security Preparedness The National Cyber Alert System US-CERT