National Security Emergencies
Terrorism | Preparing for terrorism | Protection against cyber attacks |
Preparing for a building explosion Bomb threats | Suspicious parcels and letters |
What to do if there is an explosion
In addition to the natural and technological hazards described in this publication,
Americans face threats posed by hostile governments or extremist groups.
These threats to national security include acts of terrorism and acts of
war.
Terrorism
Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in
violation of the criminal laws of the United States for purposes of intimidation,
coercion or ransom. Terrorists often use threats to create fear among the
public, to try to convince citizens that their government is powerless to
prevent terrorism, and to get immediate publicity for their causes.
Acts of terrorism range from threats of terrorism, assassinations, kidnappings,
hijackings, bomb scares and bombings, cyber attacks (computer-based),
to the use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. High-risk targets
include military and civilian government facilities, international airports,
large cities and high-profile landmarks. Terrorists might also target
large public gatherings, water and food supplies, utilities, and corporate
centers. Further, they are capable of spreading fear by sending explosives
or chemical and biological agents through the mail.
In the immediate area of a terrorist event, you would need to rely on
police, fire and other officials for instructions. However, you can prepare
in much the same way you would prepare for other crisis events.
Preparing for terrorism
- Wherever you are, be aware of your surroundings. The very nature of terrorism
suggests there may be little or no warning.
- Take precautions when traveling. Be aware of conspicuous or unusual behavior.
Do not accept packages from strangers. Do not leave luggage unattended.
Unusual behavior, suspicious packages and strange devices should be promptly
reported to the police or security personnel.
- Do not be afraid to move or leave if you feel uncomfortable or if something
does not seem right.
- Learn where emergency exits are located in buildings you frequent. Notice
where exits are when you enter unfamiliar buildings. Plan how to get out
of a building, subway or congested public area or traffic. Note where staircases
are located. Notice heavy or breakable objects that could move, fall or
break in an explosion.
- Assemble a disaster supply kit at home and learn first aid. Separate
the supplies you would take if you had to evacuate quickly, and put them
in a backpack or container, ready to go.
- Be familiar with different types of fire extinguishers and how to locate
them. Know the location and availability of hard hats in buildings in which
you spend a lot of time.
Protection against
cyber attacks
Cyber attacks target computer or telecommunication networks of critical
infrastructures such as power systems, traffic control systems, or financial
systems. Cyber attacks target information technologies (IT) in three different
ways. First, is a direct attack against an information system "through the
wires" alone (hacking). Second, the attack can be a physical assault against
a critical IT element. Third, the attack can be from the inside as a result
of compromising a trusted party with access to the system.
- Be prepared to do without services you normally depend on that could
be disrupted-electricity, telephone, natural gas, gasoline pumps, cash registers,
ATM machines, and internet transactions.
- Be prepared to respond to official instructions if a cyber attack triggers
other hazards, for example, general evacuation, evacuation to shelter, or
shelter-in-place, because of hazardous materials releases, nuclear power
plant incident, dam or flood control system failures.
Preparing for a building
explosion
Explosions can collapse buildings and cause fires. People who live or work
in a multi-level building can do the following:
- Review emergency evacuation procedures. Know where emergency exits are
located.
- Keep fire extinguishers in working order. Know where they are located,
and learn how to use them.
- Learn first aid. Contact the local chapter of the American Red Cross
for information and training.
- Building owners should keep the following items in a designated place
on each floor of the building.
- Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
- Several flashlights and extra batteries
- First aid kit and manual
- Several hard hats
- Fluorescent tape to rope off dangerous areas
Bomb threats
If you receive a bomb threat, get as much information from the caller as
possible. Keep the caller on the line and record everything that is said.
Then notify the police and the building management. If you are notified
of a bomb threat, do not touch any suspicious packages. Clear the area around
suspicious packages and notify the police immediately. In evacuating a building,
don't stand in front of windows, glass doors or other potentially hazardous
areas. Do not block sidewalk or streets to be used by emergency officials
or others still exiting the building.
Suspicious parcels
and letters
Be wary of suspicious packages and letters. They can contain explosives,
chemical or biological agents. Be particularly cautious at your place of
employment.
Some typical characteristics postal inspectors have detected over the years,
which ought to trigger suspicion, include parcels that
- Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you.
- Have no return address, or have one that can't be verified as legitimate.
- Are marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal," "Confidential"
or "Do not X-ray."
- Have protruding wires or aluminum foil, strange odors or stains.
- Show a city or state in the postmark that doesn't match the return
address.
- Are of unusual weight, given their size, or are lopsided or oddly
shaped.
- Are marked with any threatening language.
- Have inappropriate or unusual labeling.
- Have excessive postage or excessive packaging material such as masking
tape and string.
- Have misspellings of common words.
- Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are
otherwise outdated.
- Have incorrect titles or title without a name.
- Are not addressed to a specific person.
- Have handwritten or poorly typed addresses.
With suspicious envelopes and packages other than those that might contain
explosives, take these additional steps against possible biological and
chemical agents.
- Refrain from eating or drinking in a designated mail handling area.
- Place suspicious envelopes or packages in a plastic bag or some other
type of container to prevent leakage of contents. Never sniff or smell
suspect mail.
- If you do not have a container, then cover the envelope or package
with anything available (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and
do not remove the cover.
- Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent
others from entering.
- Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder
to your face.
- If you are at work, report the incident to your building security
official or an available supervisor, who should notify police and other
authorities without delay.
- List all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious
letter or package was recognized. Give a copy of this list to both the
local public health authorities and law enforcement officials for follow-up
investigations and advice.
- If you are at home, report the incident to local police.
What to do if there
is an explosion
Leave the building as quickly as possible. Do not stop to retrieve personal
possessions or make phone calls. If things are falling around you, get under
a sturdy table or desk until they stop falling. Then leave quickly, watching
for weakened floors and stairs and falling debris as you exit.
- If there is a fire:
- Stay low to the floor and exit the building as quickly as possible.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth.
- When approaching a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel
the lower, middle and upper parts of the door. Never use the palm of
your hand or fingers to test for heat- burning those areas could
impair your ability to escape a fire (i.e., ladders and crawling).
- If the door is NOT hot, open slowly and ensure fire and/or smoke is
not blocking your escape route. If your escape route is blocked, shut
the door immediately and use an alternate escape route, such as a window.
If clear, leave immediately through the door. Be prepared to crawl.
Smoke and heat rise. The air is clearer and cooler near the floor.
- If the door is hot, do not open it. Escape through a window. If you
cannot escape, hang a white or light-colored sheet outside the window,
alerting fire fighters to your presence.
- Heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling.
Stay below the smoke at all times.
- If you are trapped in debris:
- Do not light a match.
- Do not move about or kick up dust. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief
or clothing.
- Rhythmically tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where
you are. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort
when you hear sounds and think someone will hear you shouting can cause
a person to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
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