CBRNE Training Academy AwarenessAwareness

Lecture Goals Help You To: Define awareness Understand your environment Recognize an event has occurred Understand your role Help You To: Define awareness Understand your environment Recognize an event has occurred Understand your role

Awareness, defined Watchful, vigilant, cautious, on one's guard. Informed, cognizant, conscious, sensible, to know. –The Oxford English Dictionary, 2 nd Ed. Watchful, vigilant, cautious, on one's guard. Informed, cognizant, conscious, sensible, to know. –The Oxford English Dictionary, 2 nd Ed.

Awareness continued Healthy suspicion without paranoia When something happens... –Recognize that it is out of the ordinary –Ensure safety (your own, and others) –Identify the problem –Isolate the problem –Control the event –Prevent further harm Healthy suspicion without paranoia When something happens... –Recognize that it is out of the ordinary –Ensure safety (your own, and others) –Identify the problem –Isolate the problem –Control the event –Prevent further harm

Just like the subway...

“If you see something, say something” Clues –Evidence that helps solve a problem –Odors, colors, patterns of injury or disease, similar complaints, etc. Don’t rely on just one sense or source of information If there is any suspicion, ask for help “If you see something, say something” Clues –Evidence that helps solve a problem –Odors, colors, patterns of injury or disease, similar complaints, etc. Don’t rely on just one sense or source of information If there is any suspicion, ask for help

What is going on here? Many people are covered in paint One person is seizing Two people are seizing You register someone named Michael Jackson Many people are covered in paint One person is seizing Two people are seizing You register someone named Michael Jackson

Why be aware? Know normal, know abnormal Allows you to “sound the alarm” What do you encounter every day? Participate through normal job function Know normal, know abnormal Allows you to “sound the alarm” What do you encounter every day? Participate through normal job function

Practical awareness Conscious of work environment Cautious and vigilant Watchful and on guard React sensibly Know what to do Conscious of work environment Cautious and vigilant Watchful and on guard React sensibly Know what to do

Awareness prepares Disaster An event where... Needs > Resources Mass Casualty Incident A disaster where... Healthcare needs > Resources Disaster An event where... Needs > Resources Mass Casualty Incident A disaster where... Healthcare needs > Resources

The “T” Word “The unlawful use of force against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment there of, in the furtherance of political or social objectives.” It is not nuclear, biologic or chemical. It is fear. “The unlawful use of force against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment there of, in the furtherance of political or social objectives.” It is not nuclear, biologic or chemical. It is fear.

Intent Northridge earthquake vs. WTC

Intent Food poisoning (spoiled meat) vs. Salmonella sprayed on a salad bar

Intent Lake Nyos, Cameroon vs. Tokyo subway

Demystify Terrorism is fear Can’t prepare for everything Minimize fear through knowledge Knowledge is preparedness Preparedness applies to everything Terrorism is fear Can’t prepare for everything Minimize fear through knowledge Knowledge is preparedness Preparedness applies to everything

You are already ready Take what you know everyday Apply it to what you don’t know Same professional, logical, organized outcome You have the ability, knowledge and understanding necessary to respond Take what you know everyday Apply it to what you don’t know Same professional, logical, organized outcome You have the ability, knowledge and understanding necessary to respond

Remember this Prepared for the mundane = prepared for the exotic

Questions?