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Terrorism Home • Terrorism Basics • VDEM Terrorism Toolkit
If you receive a suspicious letter or package with a threatening message or a package containing an unknown powder, remain calm. Most threats turn out to be hoaxes. In order to cause illness, the organism must be rubbed into cut skin, swallowed or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist. Disease can be prevented after exposure to the anthrax spores by early treatment with the appropriate antibiotics under the advisement of a physician. Visit the U.S. Postal Service Web site for more tips on handling these items.
If a natural or manmade disaster or terrorism attack occurs, you need to know how to take care of yourself and your family. This self-reliance is important because local officials and relief workers on the scene of a disaster won't be able to reach everyone right away. Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case. Pick two places to meet:
Everyone must know the address and phone number. Ask an out-of-state friend or relative to be your "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone number.
Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets. Visit our Library to learn more about developing a family disaster plan and assembling your kit. (See also workplace disaster supplies kit.) The Red Cross also produces a "Disaster Supplies Kit" brochure, ARC 4463, available in print or online at http://www.redcross.org/pubs/dspubs/genprep.html#disrep.
The Red Cross has a comprehensive fact sheet on water storage before disaster strikes that is available at http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/water.html.
Be sure to note the use of the term water treatment and not water purification. You cannot purify water by adding chlorine or other chemicals. You can only treat it to kill germs but not remove them (that's purification). Be sure to avoid offering a false sense of security by using the word purification when treatment is correct. Visit the American Red Cross Web site at http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/afterdis/watertreat.html for information on water treatment after disaster.
VDEM views the purchase of escape hoods, gas masks and similar equipment a matter of personal choice. If you wish, you may search the Internet for gas masks and escape hoods, or check the Yellow Pages under Safety Equipment and Clothing.
Escape hoods, gas masks and similar equipment are difficult to use properly and have numerous limitations. Escape hoods are made of plastic and have a special filter. They must be put on in a clean environment and taken off promptly after the wearer has gone through a contaminated area.
Gas masks must be fitted to each individual and they must contain the proper filter in order to be effective. With the large number of potential chemical agents, it is impossible to know in advance which filter should be used. With some chemicals, gas masks would be totally ineffective.
Depending on how contaminated the air is, the hood or mask could stop working in less than 20 minutes. Batteries in powered air units typically expire in a few hours. For the general population, we recommend standard protective actions of sheltering in place or evacuation. You can find guidance about sheltering in place or evacuation on the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Web site or call your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter.
There are also a number of drawbacks to storing medications. First, only those who have been exposed to the agent should take the antibiotics in consultation with health authorities. Secondly, individuals may not stockpile the correct supplies. Finally, these medical supplies, especially antibiotics, have a limited shelf life. Community stockpiles of medication are normally cycled before they expire. For more information, visit http://www.bt.cdc.gov/DocumentsAPP/faqs.asp.
The Red Cross has also developed a general brochure about terrorism to address the many questions people have asked since the Sept. 11 attacks. This electronic publication, Terrorism: Preparing for the Unexpected, is now available on the Red Cross Web site at the following address: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/unexpected.html.
Adapted from materials provided by the American Red Cross.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management does not have a listing of protective shelters or civil defense shelters in any community in Virginia. After 1970, most of these were either closed or not replaced. There may be private shelters in office buildings, churches, schools or houses. Though VDEM does not provide plans for building these shelters, there are numerous guidelines for building "safe rooms" that are traditionally used for protection against tornadoes and hurricanes. These plans are available on the FEMA Web site at http://www.fema.gov/mit/saferoom.