Awareness-Level Lesson 5 Presentation Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 3 rd Ed.

transcript

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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