Hazardous Materials for
First Responders, 3 rd Ed.

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.”
Awareness Level
5
–2

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
Awareness Level
5
–3

Domestic Terrorism
•
Involves groups or individuals whose activities, conducted without foreign influence, are directed at elements of a government or population
Awareness Level
5
–4

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
Awareness Level
5
–5

Goals of Terrorism
•
Recognition
•
Coercion
•
Intimidation
•
Provocation
Awareness Level
5
–6

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
Awareness Level
5
–7

Categories of Terrorist Incidents
•
B iological
•
N uclear
•
I ncendiary
•
C hemical
•
E xplosive
Awareness Level
5
–8

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
Awareness Level
5
–9

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.
Awareness Level
5
–10

Types of Biological Agents
•
Viral agents
•
Bacterial agents
•
Rickettsias
•
Biological toxins
Awareness Level
5
–11

Biological Attack Indicators
•
Unusual numbers of sick or dying people or animals
•
Unscheduled and unusual spray being disseminated
•
Abandoned spray devices
(1 of 2)
Awareness Level
5
–12

Biological Attack Indicators
•
Evidence of terrorist activity may be visible at the incident, OR
•
Terrorist activity may not be obviously evident
(2 of 2)
Awareness Level
5
–13

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
Awareness Level
5
–14

Chemical Terrorism
•
Chemical attack — The deliberate release of a toxic gas, liquid or solid that can poison people and the environment
Awareness Level
5
–15

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
Awareness Level
5
–16

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
Awareness Level
5
–17

Chemical Incident Indicators
•
Dead animals/birds/fish
•
Lack of insect life
•
Unexplained odors
•
Pattern of casualties
•
Blisters/rashes
(1 of 3)
Awareness Level
5
–18

Chemical Incident Indicators
•
Illness in confined area
•
Unusual liquid droplets
•
Different looking areas
•
Low-lying clouds
(2 of 3)
Awareness Level
5
–19

Chemical Incident Indicators
•
Unusual metal debris
•
Unusual numbers of dying or sick people (mass casualties)
(3 of 3)
Awareness Level
5
–20

SLUDGEM
•
The acronym SLUDGEM is used to remember health problems:
– S alivation (drooling)
– L acrimation (tearing)
– U rination
– D efecation
– G astrointestinal upset/aggravation (cramping)
– E mesis (vomiting)
– M iosis (pinpointed pupils) or Muscular twitching/spasms
Awareness Level
5
–21

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
Awareness Level
5
–22

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
Awareness Level
5
–23

Additional Actions at
Terrorist or Criminal Incidents
•
Notify authorities
•
Preserve crime scene evidence
•
Isolate exposed people and animals
•
Secure the scene
(1 of 2)
Awareness Level
5
–24

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 Level
5
–25

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 Level
5
–26

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)
Awareness Level
5
–27

First responders must know their limitations at criminal and terrorist incidents. Incidents, such as those involving meth labs, require training above Awareness Level.
Awareness Level
5
–28

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)
Awareness Level
5
–29

Guidelines for
Preserving Evidence
•
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)
Awareness Level
5
–30

Guidelines for
Preserving Evidence
•
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)
Awareness Level
5
–31

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)
Awareness Level
5
–32

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)
Awareness Level
5
–33

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
5
–34

Hazardous Materials for
First Responders, 3 rd Ed.