Operational Level
Lesson 7 Presentation
Hazardous Materials for
First Responders, 3rd Ed.
Terrorism
• 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.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Operational Level
7–2
Weapons of Mass Destruction
• 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:
– Toxic or poisonous chemicals or their precursors
– A disease organism
– Radiation or radiactivity
According to the United States Code
Operational Level
7–3
Goals of Terrorist Operations
• Recognition
• Coercion
• Intimidation
• Provocation
Operational Level
7–4
Circumstances Faced that are
Different from Routine Emergencies
• Large numbers of casualties
• Materials that first responders have little
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•
•
•
•
experience dealing with
Secondary events intended to incapacitate or
delay emergency responders
Armed resistance
Use of weapons
Booby traps
Secondary contamination from handling patients
Operational Level
7–5
Potential Terrorist Targets
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•
Public assembly occupancies and locations
Public buildings
Mass transit systems
Places with high economic impact
Telecommunications facilities
Places with historical or symbolic significance
Military installations
Airports
Industrial facilities
Operational Level
7–6
Cues to Consider the
Possibility of Terrorism
• A report of two or more medical emergencies in
public locations such as a shopping mall,
transportation hub, mass transit system, office
building, assembly occupancy, or other public
buildings
• An unusually large number of people with
similar signs and symptoms coming or being
transported to physicians’ offices or medical
emergency rooms
(1 of 2)
Operational Level
7–7
Cues to Consider the
Possibility of Terrorism
• A reported explosion at a movie theater,
department store, office building, government
building, or a location with historical or symbolic
significance
(2 of 2)
Operational Level
7–8
Categories of Terrorist Attacks
• Biological
• Nuclear
• Incendiary
• Chemical
• Explosive
Operational Level
7–9
Biological Attacks
• Type of biological agents
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–
–
–
Viral agents
Bacterial agents
Rickettsias
Biological toxins
(1 of 6)
Operational Level
7–10
Biological Attacks
• Indicators of terrorist activity involving biological
agents
– Unusual numbers of sick or dying people or animals
– Unscheduled and unusual spray being disseminated
– Abandoned spray devices
(2 of 6)
Operational Level
7–11
Biological Attacks
• Evidence of terrorist activity may be visible at
the incident, OR
• Terrorist activity may not be obviously evident
(3 of 6)
Operational Level
7–12
Biological Attacks
• Type A biological agents
– Can be easily disseminated or transmitted personto-person
– Cause high mortality and subsequently have a
major public health impact
– Might cause public panic and social disruption
– Requires special action for public health
preparedness
– Examples: Smallpox, anthrax, plague, botulism
(4 of 6)
Operational Level
7–13
Biological Attacks
• Type B biological agents
– Are moderately easy to disseminate
– Cause moderate morbidity and low mortality
– Require specific enhancements of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention’s diagnostic
capacity and enhanced disease surveillance
– Examples: Brucellosis, epsilon toxin of clostridium
perfringens, glanders
(5 of 6)
Operational Level
7–14
Biological Attacks
• Type C biological agents — Emerging
pathogens that could be engineered for mass
dissemination in the future because of their:
– Availability
– Ease of production and dissemination
– Potential for high morbidity and mortality and
major health impact
– Examples: Nipah virus, hantaviruses, tickborne
hemorrhagic fever viruses
(6 of 6)
Operational Level
7–15
Nuclear/Radiological Attacks
• Three scenarios most likely:
– Detonation of a conventional explosive device
incorporating nuclear materials (commonly known
as a dirty bomb)
– An attack on a source of nuclear materials such as
detonating a truck bomb in the vicinity of a nuclear
power plant or radiological cargo in transport
– Detonation (or threatening to detonate) a nuclear
bomb, improvised nuclear device, or suitcase
bomb
(1 of 2)
Operational Level
7–16
Nuclear/Radiological Attacks
• Types of nuclear/radiological bombs that
terrorists might use
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–
–
–
–
Dirty bomb
Atomic/nuclear device (bomb)
Improvised nuclear device (IND)
Suitcase bomb
Nuclear power plant sabotage or attack
(2 of 2)
Operational Level
7–17
Incendiary Devices
• Any mechanical, electrical, or chemical device
used intentionally to initiate combustion and
start a fire
• Examples of easily made devices
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–
–
–
Bottle, gasoline, rag, match (Molotov cocktail)
Low flashpoint flammable liquid and a candle
Match heads and sulfuric acid
Road flare ignited by a model rocket fuse
(1 of 2)
Operational Level
7–18
Incendiary Devices
• Indicators
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–
–
–
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–
–
Warning or threat of an attack
Accelerant odors
Multiple fires
Incendiary device components
Unexpectedly heavy burning or high temperatures
Unusually fast-burning fires
Unusual colored smoke or flames
Presence of propane or other flammable gas
cylinders in unusual locations
(2 of 2)
Operational Level
7–19
Chemical Attacks
• The deliberate release of a toxic gas, liquid, or
solid that can poison people and the
environment
• May involve chemical warfare agents or toxic
industrial materials (TIMs)
• Effects are usually noticed quickly, within
minutes to hours
• Results are usually disabling or fatal
(1 of 5)
Operational Level
7–20
Chemical Attacks
• Indicators of terrorist activity involving chemical
agents
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–
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–
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Dead animals/birds/fish
Lack of insect life
Unexplained odors
Pattern of casualties
Blisters/rashes
(2 of 5)
Operational Level
7–21
Chemical Attacks
• Indicators of terrorist activity involving chemical
agents
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–
–
–
Illness in confined area
Unusual liquid droplets
Different looking areas
Low-lying clouds
(3 of 5)
Operational Level
7–22
Chemical Attacks
• Indicators of terrorist activity involving chemical
agents
– Unusual metal debris
– Unusual numbers of dying or sick people (mass
casualties)
(4 of 5)
Operational Level
7–23
Chemical Attacks
• Chemical-agent types
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–
–
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Nerve agents
Blister agents (vesicants)
Blood agents (cyanide agents)
Choking agents (pulmonary or lung-damaging
agents)
– Riot control agents (irritants)
– Toxic industrial materials (normal hazardous
materials used for terrorist purposes)
(5 of 5)
Operational Level
7–24
Nerve Agents
• Attack the nervous system by affecting the
transmission of impulses
• Routes of entry
– Inhalation
– Through the skin
• Symptoms
– Increased production of saliva
– Runny nose
– Feeling of pressure on the chest
Operational Level
7–25
(1 of 3)
Nerve Agents
• Tabun (GA) — Usually a low-volatility persistent
chemical agent that is taken up through skin
contact and inhalation of the substance as a gas
or aerosol; DOT hazard class 6.1
• Sarin (GB) — Usually a volatile nonpersistent
chemical agent mainly taken up through
inhalation; class 6.1
• Soman (GD) — Usually a moderately volatile
chemical agent that can be taken up by
inhalation or skin contact; class 6.1
(2 of 3)
Operational Level
7–26
Nerve Agents
• Cyclohexyl sarin (GF) — A low-volatility
persistent chemical agent that is taken up
through skin contact and inhalation of the
substance either as a gas or aerosol
• V-agent (VX) — A low-volatility persistent
chemical agent that can remain on material,
equipment, and terrain for long periods; class
6.1
(3 of 3)
Operational Level
7–27
Blister Agents (Vesicants)
• Burn and blister the skin or any other part of the
body they contact
• Groupings
– Mustard agents
– Examples: Sulfur mustards (class 6.1), nitrogen
mustards (class 6.1)
– Arsenical vesicants
– Examples: Lewisite (class 6.1), mustard/lewisite
mixture, phenyldichloroarsine
– Halogenated oximes
– Example: Phosgene oxime (no hazard class
(1 of 2)
found)
Operational Level
7–28
Blister Agents (Vesicants)
• Routes of entry
– Are readily absorbed by all parts of the body
• Symptoms
– Inflammation
– Blisters
– General destruction of tissues
(2 of 2)
Operational Level
7–29
Blood Agents
• Chemical asphyxiants that interfere with
oxygen utilization at the cellular level
• Types
– Arsine (SA) (class 2.3)
– Hydrogen cyanide (AC) (class 6.1)
– Cyanogen chloride (CK) (class 2.3)
Operational Level
7–30
Choking Agents
• Chemicals that attack the lungs causing tissue
damage
• Types
– Phosgene (CG) (class 2.3)
– Chlorine (CL) (class 2.3)
Operational Level
7–31
Riot Control Agents
(Irritating Agents)
• Chemical compounds that temporarily make
people unable to function by causing immediate
irritation to the eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, and
skin
• Types
– Chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS, tear gas)
(class 6.1)
– Chloroacetophenone (CN, mace) (class 6.1)
– Dibenzoxazepine (CR) (class 6.1)
– Chloropicrin (PS) (class 6.1)
– Oleoresin capsicum (OC, pepper spray) (class 2.2)
Operational Level
7–32
Explosive Attack Classes
• High explosives — Decompose extremely
rapidly (almost instantaneously)
– Examples: Plastic explosives, nitroglycerin, TNT,
blasting caps, dynamite
• Low explosives — Decompose rapidly, but
don’t produce an explosive effect unless they’re
confined; they deflagrate (burn rapidly)
(1 of 3)
Operational Level
7–33
Explosive Attack Classes
• Primary explosives — Are easily initiated and
highly sensitive to heat
– Examples: Lead azide, mercury fulminate, lead
styphnate
• Secondary explosives — Are designed to
detonate only under specific circumstances; are
less sensitive to heat or flame
– Example: TNT
• Propellants — Deflagrate rather than explode
– Example: Black powder
Operational Level
7–34
(2 of 3)
Explosive Attack Classes
(3 of 3)
Operational Level
7–35
Commercial and
Military Explosives
• Ammonium nitrate — Is a common fertilizer that
can be mixed with diesel fuel or oil to form an
explosive mixture
• Binary explosives — Are composed of two
different chemical components, one a solid and
one a liquid
• Black powder — Is made from a mixture of
potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate, sulfur, and
charcoal
(1 of 8)
Operational Level
7–36
Commercial and
Military Explosives
• Composition C-4 — Is a mixture of
cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine/cyclonite
(RDX), polyisabutylene, and fuel oil
• Dynamite
– Straight — Contains nitroglycerin and an
absorbent mixture such as saw dust and sodium
nitrate
– Ammonia-granular — Contains ammonium nitrate
rather than nitroglycerin
(2 of 8)
Operational Level
7–37
Commercial and
Military Explosives
• Dynamite
– Semigelatin — Are similar to ammonia-granular,
but have a small amount of guncotton and
additional nitroglycerin added to form a gel
– Straight gelatin — Is composed of blasting gelatin,
a stiff gel made of nitroglycerin mixed with other
ingredients, including guncotton and sodium
nitrate
– Ammonia gelatin — Is made by mixing ammonium
nitrate and other ingredients with blasting gelatin;
is waterproof and used for underwater applications
(3 of 8)
Operational Level
7–38
Commercial and
Military Explosives
• Emulsion explosives — Are made by
suspending or mixing tiny, submicroscopic
droplets of an oxidizer in a fuel such as mineral
oil or fuel oil
• Guncotton (nitrocellulose, nitrocotton) — Is
created by bathing cotton or purified wool
cellulose in a mix of sulphuric and nitric acids
(4 of 8)
Operational Level
7–39
Commercial and
Military Explosives
• HMX (high melting explosive) — Is a colorless
solid that dissolves slightly in water
• RDX (royal demolition explosive) — Is a white
powder that is very explosive; is usually mixed
with other materials; is used in detonation cord
and blasting caps
(5 of 8)
Operational Level
7–40
Commercial and
Military Explosives
• PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate) — Is
primarily used in booster and bursting charges
of small caliber ammunition, in upper charges
of small caliber ammunition, in upper charges
of detonators in some land mines and shells,
and as the explosive core of primacord (an
explosive fuse)
• SEMTEX — Is a highly malleable plastic
explosive; is primarily composed of RDX and
(6 of 8)
PETN
Operational Level
7–41
Commercial and
Military Explosives
• Smokeless powder — Is an explosive
propellant that was designed to replace black
powder
• TATB (triaminotrinitrobenzene) — Is a heat
resistant, insensitive high explosive
• Tetryl — Is used as an explosive component of
chemical bombs, demolition blocks, and castshaped charges
(7 of 8)
Operational Level
7–42
Commercial and
Military Explosives
• TNT — Is a yellow, odorless solid; is used in
military shells, bombs, grenades, in industrial
uses, and in underwater blasting
• Water gels — Were originally composed of
ammonium nitrate, TNT, and gelatinizing
agents; more recent versions may contain
aluminum and other metallic fuels
(8 of 8)
Operational Level
7–43
Improvised Explosive Devices
(IEDs)
• Are explosive devices that are constructed in
an improvised manner
• Are categorized by their container
• Are homemade and usually constructed for a
specific target
• Usually have a firing train that consists of a
fusing system, detonator, and main charge
Operational Level
7–44
Types of IEDs
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•
Vehicle bombs
Pipe bombs
Satchel/backpack/knapsack/briefcase, or box bomb
Mail/package/letter bomb
Plastic bottle bombs
Fireworks
M-devices
CO2 grenades
Tennis ball bombs
Operational Level
7–45
Clandestine Labs
• Labs set up to produce or manufacture illegal or
controlled substances such as drugs, chemical
warfare agents, explosives, or biological agents
• Clandestine drug labs
– 80-90% of clandestine drug labs are set up to
produce methamphetamine; first responders
should be familiar with the products and
equipment used in these labs
– Are extremely dangerous for responders due to
the fact that the chemicals used are often highly
flammable, corrosive, and toxic
Operational Level
7–46
Products Commonly Used in
Making Methamphetamine
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•
•
•
Acetone
Anhydrous ammonia
Ephedrine
Ethyl
alcohol/denatured
alcohol/ethanol/grain
alcohol
• Hydrochloric
acid/muriatic acid
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Hypophosphorous
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•
•
•
acid
Iodine
Isopropyl alcohol
Lithium metal
Methyl alcohol
Operational Level
7–47
(1 of 2)
Products Commonly Used in
Making Methamphetamine
• Mineral spirits/
• Toluene
petroleum distillate
• Naphtha
• Pseudoephedrine
• Red phosphorous
• Sodium hydroxide
• Sulfuric acid
• Hydrogen chloride
• Phosphine gas
• Hydrogen iodide/
hydriodic acid gas
• Hydriodic acid
(2 of 2)
Operational Level
7–48
Equipment Commonly Used in
Making Methamphetamine
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Condenser tubes
Filters
Funnels/turkey basters
Gas containers
Glassware
Heat source
Grinders
pH papers
Tubing
Operational Level
7–49
Clues to the Presence of
Methamphetamine Labs
• Windows covered with plastic or tin foil
• Renters who pay landlords in cash
• Unusual security systems or other devices
• Excessive trash
• Increased activity, especially at night
• Unusual structures
Operational Level
7–50
(1 of 2)
Clues to the Presence of
Methamphetamine Labs
• Discoloration of structures, pavement, and soil
• Strong odor of solvents
• Smell of ammonia, starting fluid, or ether
• Iodine- or chemical-stained bathroom or kitchen
fixtures
(2 of 2)
Operational Level
7–51
Additional Actions at Terrorist or
Criminal Activity Incidents
• Notify authorities.
– Law enforcement, other emergency responders,
and EMS personnel
– Other local, state/provincial, or federal/national
agencies and health or medical providers
– Additional trained and equipped personnel
immediately (i.e., bomb technicians
• Preserve crime scene evidence.
(1 of 2)
Operational Level
7–52
Additional Actions at Terrorist or
Criminal Activity Incidents
• Take additional measures to isolate exposed
people and animals.
• Take additional measures to secure the scene.
• Take additional precautions with regard to the
possibility of secondary devices.
• Exercise additional caution in regards to other
potential hazards associated with terrorist and
criminal activities.
(2 of 2)
Operational Level
7–53
The Importance of Crime
Scene Evidence Preservation
• It is important for first responders to preserve
evidence so that investigators can identify and
successfully prosecute the guilty parties.
Operational Level
7–54
Guidelines for
Preserving Evidence
• Unless you must touch something, DON’T.
• Avoid disturbing areas not directly involved in
rescue activities.
• Remember what the scene looked like upon
first arrival as well as details about the
progression of the incident.
(1 of 3)
Operational Level
7–55
Guidelines for
Preserving Evidence
• Document your observations as quickly as you
can.
• Take photographs and videos of the scene as
soon as possible.
• When you must touch or move something,
remember what you did. In your report,
document where it was and where you put it. If
you can, photograph it before you do anything.
• Minimize the number of people working in the
area, if possible.
(2 of 3)
Operational Level
7–56
Guidelines for
Preserving Evidence
• Leave fatalities and their surroundings
undisturbed.
• Identify witnesses, victims, and the presence of
evidence.
• Preserve potentially transient physical evidence
(e.g., evidence present on victims, evidence
that may be compromised by weather
conditions such as chemical residue, body
fluids, or footprints).
(3 of 3)
Operational Level
7–57
Biological Attack Incidents
• Many people are potentially at risk
– Traditional first responders who transport ill
patients to medical facilities
– Health care workers who care for patients in
hospitals, residential facilities, outpatient settings,
at home, or elsewhere
– Laboratory personnel handling clinical specimens
– Health department staff who visit patients in or out
of health care facilities while conducting outbreak
assessment or control measures
(1 of 3)
Operational Level
7–58
Biological Attack Incidents
• First responders and others involved in patient
transport should take additional precautions.
– Run the ambulance ventilation system on its
highest setting using outside air circulation, which
will minimize air changes in the vehicle.
– For diseases that are transmitted by respiratory
transmission, the patient should wear a surgical
mask, disposable respirator, or, if needed for
respiratory support, an oxygen mask that does not
exhaust to ambient air.
(2 of 3)
Operational Level
7–59
Biological Attack Incidents
• First responders and others involved in patient
transport should take additional precautions.
– Responders transporting patients with different
diseases may require different levels of worker
respiratory protection.
(3 of 3)
Operational Level
7–60
Nuclear/Radiological Incidents
• Use radiation and contamination survey
instruments to determine radiation levels.
• Use the principles of time, distance, and
shielding to protect against radiation exposure.
• Stay away from ground zero. Enter the
surrounding area only to save lives, and only if
wearing appropriate PPE. Radiation levels may
be very high in these areas.
• Establish control zones like other incidents.
(1 of 4)
Operational Level
7–61
Nuclear/Radiological Incidents
• Isolate, evacuate, and/or shelter the public in
place as appropriate.
• Wear respiratory protection to reduce the dose
from inhalation of radioactive dust.
• Wear PPE. Standard firefighting gear or easily
removed outer clothing is sufficient to protect
from alpha and beta radiation, but it may not
protect against other environmental hazards.
(2 of 4)
Operational Level
7–62
Nuclear/Radiological Incidents
• Avoid skin contact with radioactive dust. Protect
open wounds or abrasions from radioactive
contamination by covering them.
• Do not eat, drink, chew, or smoke while
exposed to potentially radioactive dust or
smoke. When it is absolutely necessary to drink
water, drink from a canteen or other closed
container.
(3 of 4)
Operational Level
7–63
Nuclear/Radiological Incidents
• Remember that physical injuries are more
serious than radioactive contamination. Deal
with life-threatening conventional injuries first.
• Decontaminate.
(4 of 4)
Operational Level
7–64
Incendiary Incidents
• Only specially trained personnel should handle
incendiary devices discovered prior to ignition.
• If it is suspected that an incendiary device
started the fire, proper handling of potential
evidence is critical for crime scene
preservation.
Operational Level
7–65
Chemical Agent Incidents
• Expect at least a 5:1 ratio of unaffected to affected
•
•
•
•
casualties.
Decontaminate victims as soon as possible.
Disrobe victims from head to toe to decontaminate
successfully. The more clothing that can be removed,
the better.
Flush with water; generally this is the best mass
decontamination method.
Decontaminate after a known exposure to liquid
chemical agent as soon as possible to avoid serious
effects.
Operational Level
7–66
Chemical Agent Decontamination
Disrobing
Showering
Operational Level
7–67
Explosives/Bomb Incidents
• Agencies that may be called for extra
assistance:
– Local bomb technicians
– State Bureaus of Investigation
– Explosives ordnance detachments (military)
Operational Level
7–68
Operational Level
Lesson 7 Presentation
Hazardous Materials for
First Responders, 3rd Ed.