Terrorism: Coping With Catastrophe

TERRORISM: COPING WITH CATASTROPHE

by Doug Henderson

In the aftermath of the September 11 tragedy, preventing and responding to Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD) attacks remains primarily a government responsibility. Most businesses and other organizations aren’t in a position to thwart a major terrorist assault. Nevertheless, all of us — individuals, businesses, and other organizations — need to do what we can to protect ourselves and those for whom we’re responsible.

Here are some initial guidelines. Because many of these recommendations might be new, you should review and expand upon them to incorporate relevant ideas into your disaster planning.

Although following these guidelines wouldn’t have been effective in stopping the September 11 catastrophe, any recurrence of this type of attack has been reduced and will diminish further as more security controls are introduced into the airline industry. However, smaller-scale acts (bombing a school, derailing a train, or attacking your business and so forth) are far easier to carry out. Such 'lesser assaults' — which would’ve seemed extreme before Black Tuesday — also accomplish the primary goal of the terrorist: to frighten the civilian population. Implementing these recommendations might thwart such an attack … or at least reduce loss of life, injuries, and damage.

In closing, I extend my heart and prayers to all the victims of the catastrophe, their families, and the heroic rescue workers.

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

A Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD includes biological, chemical, nuclear or highly explosive material, or any combination of these perils.

1. Notify the proper authorities.
   1. Call 911 to dispatch police/bomb-squad and fire/hazmat personnel
   2. Contact the FBI
   3. Get in touch with the local/regional Office of Emergency Management
   4. Contact the local Health Department
2. In most cases, authorities will set up an Incident Command Center upwind of the hazard.
3. Avoid contamination.
   1. At the point of release
   2. By exposed individuals
   3. Limit access in the area to those responsible for rescue or material/device analysis
4. Do not touch or move any suspicious object.
   1. Avoid using radios, cell phones, or other electronic devices that might trigger detonation
   2. Evacuate the area
5. If an unknown material has been released
   1. Shut down ventilation systems
   2. If the release is internal, secure the affected area and evacuate
   3. If the release is external, secure the perimeter, but do not evacuate

Although complete avoidance is impossible, you can reduce your organization’s risk by steering clear of specific locations (to the extent practical):

1. National landmarks
2. Likely military targets

• Munitions factories
• Military bases
• Power plants, refineries and other major energy installations
• Airports, seaports, and other transportation hubs
• Communication centers and stations

3. Any areas where people mass (concerts, sporting events, and so forth)

This list is not all-inclusive.

Travel by groups of managers on commercial airlines has never been recommended. Now that air carriers have become terrorist targets, this rule should be strictly enforced. Take special precautions in selecting meeting locations where large groups of managers are to attend. Also be especially cautious about participating in meetings that include large groups of key government officials, business executives, scientists, and so forth.

Your normal Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Plan remains invaluable; in fact it’s more important than ever. The plan must include such precautions as securing vital records, the creation of an Emergency Response Team (ERT), setting alternate meeting locations for the ERT, drawing up offsite employee contact lists and procedures, and implementing security controls.

Now that human lives have become deliberate targets of terrorists, testing your plan is more important than ever. Focus on 'exercising' everyone’s ability to execute proper life-saving procedures (people will be more receptive to an 'exercise' than a 'test').

Conducting exercises that include all employees will help everyone focus on the problem and make them familiar with responding to unexpected events. It will also give people a feeling of empowerment in an environment that seems overwhelming. Make the exercise as real as possible. Larger organizations should consider applying cosmetic materials to volunteer 'victims' to simulate injuries, coordinate the exercise with civil authorities, and so forth.

Test your internal communication systems. Certain WMD threats require building evacuation, while others mandate seeking shelter within the building (this also holds true for certain natural disasters).

Materials capable of mass destruction are sometimes used to manufacture products or for research. Such materials could be released either accidentally or by terrorists. If your organization uses dangerous toxic, explosive, or radioactive materials, take all necessary safety and security precautions. Carefully monitor and secure all such substances.

Approach all organizations in your immediate area that you suspect might be using dangerous materials. Determine what these materials are, assess the danger of a release, set procedures for timely notification of a dangerous situation, and develop an action plan to respond.