awareness-level lesson 5 presentation hazardous materials for first responders, 3 rd ed

Awareness-Level Lesson 5 Presentation

Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 3rd Ed.

Awareness Level5–2

Definition of Terrorism

• The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines terrorism as:

“The unlawful use of force against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in the furtherance of political or social objectives.”


Elements of Terrorism

• Terrorist activities are illegal and involve the use of force

• Actions intend to intimidate or coerce

• Actions are committed in support of political or social objectives


Domestic Terrorism

• Involves groups or individuals whose activities, conducted without foreign influence, are directed at elements of a government or population


International Terrorism

• Involves activities committed by foreign-based groups or individuals who are either directed by countries or groups outside a country or whose activities transcend national boundaries


Goals of Terrorism

• Recognition

• Coercion

• Intimidation

• Provocation


Potential Terrorist Targets

• Public assembly occupancies and locations

• Public buildings

• Mass transit systems

• Places with high economic significance

• Telecommunications facilities

• Places with historical or symbolic significance

• Military installations

• Airports

• Industrial facilities


Categories of Terrorist Incidents

• BBiological

• NNuclear

• IIncendiary

• CChemical

• EExplosive


Weapon of Mass Destruction

• According to the U.S. Government a weapon of mass destruction is any weapon or device that is intended or has the capability to cause death or serious bodily injury to a significant number of people through the release, dissemination, or impact of one of the following means:– Toxic or poisonous chemicals or their precursors– A disease organism– Radiation or radioactivity


Biological Terrorism

• The CDC defines biological terrorism as an intentional release of viruses, bacteria, or their toxins for the purpose of harming or killing citizens.


Types of Biological Agents

• Viral agents

• Bacterial agents

• Rickettsias

• Biological toxins


Biological Attack Indicators

• Unusual numbers of sick or dying people or animals

• Unscheduled and unusual spray being disseminated

• Abandoned spray devices

(1 of 2)


Biological Attack Indicators

• Evidence of terrorist activity may be visible at the incident, OR

• Terrorist activity may not be obviously evident

(2 of 2)


Chemical vs. Biological Incidents

• Chemical incident– Symptoms are noticeable either within minutes or

hours– May have a unique odor and color

• Biological incident– Symptoms may take days or even weeks to

appear– No odor or color– May spread beyond the initial contamination


Chemical Terrorism

• Chemical attack — The deliberate release of a toxic gas, liquid or solid that can poison people and the environment


Chemical Warfare Agents

• Chemical substances that are intended for use in warfare or terrorist activities to kill, seriously injure, or seriously incapacitate people through their physiological effects


Toxic Industrial Materials

• Particularly poisonous hazardous materials that are normally used for industrial purposes, but could be used by terrorists to deliberately kill, injure or incapacitate people


Chemical Incident Indicators

• Dead animals/birds/fish

• Lack of insect life

• Unexplained odors

• Pattern of casualties

• Blisters/rashes

(1 of 3)



• Illness in confined area

• Unusual liquid droplets

• Different looking areas

• Low-lying clouds

(2 of 3)



• Unusual metal debris

• Unusual numbers of dying or sick people (mass casualties)

(3 of 3)


SLUDGEM

• The acronym SLUDGEM is used to remember health problems:– Salivation (drooling)– Lacrimation (tearing)– Urination– Defecation– Gastrointestinal upset/aggravation (cramping)– Emesis (vomiting)– Miosis (pinpointed pupils) or Muscular

twitching/spasms


Criminal and Terrorist Incident Response

• Essentially the same as other haz mat incidents

• Law enforcement – Must be notified – Must be included

• Use predetermined procedures– Summon help– Communicate with media and public


Basic Principles of Response

• Incident priorities– Life safety– Incident stabilization– Protection of property and the environment

• Establish an incident command or management system

• Call for additional help


Additional Actions at Terrorist or Criminal Incidents

• Notify authorities

• Preserve crime scene evidence

• Isolate exposed people and animals

• Secure the scene

(1 of 2)


Additional Actions at Terrorist or Criminal Incidents

• Take precautions against the possibility of secondary devices

• Exercise caution concerning other potential hazards associated with terrorist and criminal activities

(2 of 2)


Awareness Actions at Criminal or Terrorist Incidents

• Protect yourself and other first responders

• Report the suspicion to the appropriate authorities and document your initial observation

• Isolate people or animals that may have been exposed

• Avoid actions that may disturb potential evidence

(1 of 2)


Awareness Actions at Criminal or Terrorist Incidents

• Do not touch any item that may indicate a criminal or terrorist activity and be aware of the potential for secondary devices

• Set up control zones

• Take steps to prevent secondary contamination

(2 of 2)


WARNINGFirst responders must know their limitations at criminal and terrorist incidents. Incidents, such as those involving meth labs, require training above Awareness Level.


Guidelines for Preserving Evidence

• Do not touch anything unless it is necessary

• Avoid disturbing areas not directly involved in rescue activities

• Remember what the scene looked like upon first arrival

• Document observations as quickly as possible

• Take photographs and videos of the scene as soon as possible

(1 of 3)



• Remember and document when something was touched or moved

• Minimize the number of people working in the area, if possible

• Leave fatalities and their surroundings undisturbed

• Identify witnesses, victims, and the presence of evidence

(2 of 3)



• Preserve potentially transient physical evidence

• Follow departmental procedures for establishing chain of custody, documentation, and security measures to store crime scene evidence

(3 of 3)


Summary

• First responders must be prepared to respond to incidents that may involve criminal or terrorist activity. These incidents pose an additional danger to responders that must be taken into account.

• Terrorism can be domestic or international and uses actions that involve force. Potential terrorist targets include those that are highly visible and are public places.

(1 of 3)


Summary

• Categories of terrorist incidents include biological, nuclear, incendiary, chemical, and explosive. The term weapon of mass destruction is often used in connection with potential terrorism incidents.

• Biological and chemical terrorism both have unique characteristics and indicators. Knowing these characteristics and indicators are important.

(2 of 3)


Summary

• When responding to an incident involving criminal or terrorist activity first responders must take additional actions. Other agencies must be involved and precautions regarding safety taken.

• The preservation of evidence is important at crime scenes and first responders must be aware of and follow guidelines for preserving evidence.

(3 of 3)

Awareness-Level Lesson 5 Presentation

Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 3rd Ed.

awareness-level lesson 5 presentation hazardous materials for first responders, 3 rd ed

Documents

awareness level

awarenesslevel lesson

biological terrorism

radioactivity slide

environment slide

initial contamination

definition of terrorism

domestic terrorism