Understanding Terrorism (Points To Consider)

The Threats • Commercial and home made explosives • Chemical or toxic industrial chemical • Biological agent • Radioactive material • Nuclear weapon Why chemical / Bio terrorism • Availability and toxicity • Decontamination aspect • Psychological impact • Preparedness • Escalation Considerations • Potential • Probability / likelihood Who are likely to threaten? • Lone individuals • Identified groups • Non-aligned groups • Internationally sponsored Doomsday Cults • Insurgents Potential Outcomes for Terrorists Events • Mass casualties • Overwhelms response resources • Disrupts normal Business and personal processes • Panic and confusion • Mass suspicion / oppression of ethnic, cultural and racial groups • Loss of faith in Government agencies • Loss of faith in Emergency Response System (ERS) Key Points • Terrorists have means, motive and opportunity • Mass casualties may result • Responders must be aware and prepared • Contingency Plans should consider NBC threats and events (Through Knowledge and Understanding Comes Strength)