Emergency Response to Terrorism: Basic Concepts
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Student Manual NFA-ERT: BC-SM August 18, 1997 EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO TERRORISM: BASIC CONCEPTS STUDENT MANUAL FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO TERRORISM: BASIC CONCEPTS FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY FOREWORD The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was established in 1979. FEMA's mission is to focus Federal efforts on preparedness for, mitigation of, response to, and recovery from emergencies encompassing the full range of natural and manmade disasters. FEMA's National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland, includes the United States Fire Administration (USFA), its National Fire Academy (NFA), and the Emergency Management Institute (EMI). To achieve the Academy's legislated mandate (under Public Law 93-498, October 29, 1974), "to advance the professional development of fire service personnel and other persons engaged in fire prevention and control activities," the National Fire Academy has developed an effective program linkage with established fire training systems which exist at the state and local levels. Academy field courses have been sponsored by the respective state fire training systems in every state. The staff of the National Fire Academy is proud to join with state and local fire agencies in providing educational opportunities to the members of the nation's fire services. This course addresses the special needs of responders to incidents which may have been caused by terrorist action. The response to terrorism program builds upon the firm foundation provided by the Hazardous Materials curriculum offered at the Academy and adds specialized information concerning such topics as: • current Department of Justice definitions of terrorism; • a history of terrorism; • agents utilized by terrorists; • suspicious circumstances; • self-protection at potential terrorist scenes; • crime scene considerations; and • specialized incident command issues. SM ii EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO TERRORISM: BASIC CONCEPTS TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE Foreword----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ii Table of Contents-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------iii Module 0: Welcome and Introduction --------------------------------------- SM 0-1 Module 1: Understanding and Recognizing Terrorism------------------- SM 1-1 Module 2: Implementing Self-Protective Measures ----------------------- SM 2-1 Module 3: Scene Control-------------------------------------------------------- SM 3-1 Module 4: Tactical Considerations ------------------------------------------- SM 4-1 Module 5: Incident Command Overview------------------------------------ SM 5-1 Appendices: Appendix A: Security Awareness Bulletin Articles Appendix B: Presidential Decision Directive 39 (unclassified) Appendix C: Selections from the Federal Response Plan (FRP) Appendix D: Terrorism Annex to the FRP Appendix E: The FBI Chemical/Biological Incident Contingency Plan (unclassified) Appendix F: Material Safety Data Sheets for Chemical Warfare Materials Appendix G: Supplemental Information on Biological Agents Appendix H: Supplemental Information on Self-Protection Glossary Bibliography SM iii MODULE 0: WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION WELCOME Welcome to the National Fire Academy's course Emergency Response to Terrorism: Basic Concepts. During the next two days you will explore a wide variety of issues and concerns faced by responders when operating at a potential terrorism incident. From the smallest pipe bomb to the horror of the Oklahoma City bombing, terrorism presents added concerns to those involved in emergency response. This course addresses the special requirements of those incidents with a special emphasis on self protection for first responders. Biological Nuclear Incendiary Chemical Explosives Terrorist incidents involving biological, nuclear, incendiary, chemical, or explosive (B- NICE) materials are considered technological hazardous incidents by nature. For this reason, this course is approached from the point of view of a hazardous materials incident with additional complicating factors. This allows us to build upon the proven structure of hazardous materials response in order to address terrorist incidents. SM 0-2 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION COURSE GOALS At the completion of this course, you will be able to: 1. Define and discuss terrorism including identifying significant incidents that have occurred within the United States. 2. Recognize circumstances and on-scene key indicators which may signify a suspicious incident. 3. Implement appropriate self-protective measures. 4. Define scene security considerations unique to terrorist incidents. 5. Make appropriate notifications. 6. Define and describe defensive considerations associated with biological, nuclear, incendiary, chemical, and explosives (B-NICE) incidents. 7. Describe command and control issues associated with crime scene activities. 8. Define and describe recovery and termination issues associated with terrorism incidents. TARGET AUDIENCES This course is primarily designed to address the needs of fire service personnel, emergency medical services providers, and hazardous materials responders, all trained to at least the operations level of hazardous materials response. Due to the broad scope of the subject matter, the course can be used to address the needs of those without prior hazardous materials training and provide benefits to law enforcement personnel, emergency communications personnel, emergency management personnel, public works management, public health workers, armed forces, and disaster response agencies. SM 0-3 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION COURSE STRUCTURE The body of this course is organized into five modules: Module 1: Understanding and Recognizing Terrorism will help the responder recognize suspicious circumstances in advance. Module 2: Implementing Self-Protective Measures assists the student in utilizing time, distance and shielding to protect themselves from dangerous exposure. Module 3: Scene Security defines isolation, evacuation and control issues unique to terrorism incidents. Module 4: Tactical Considerations covers specific defensive measure utilized in each major category (B-NICE) of incident. Module 5: Incident Command Overview gives a broad picture of: • local, State, and Federal resources; • making appropriate notifications; • specialized crime scene considerations; and • operating in a multi-jurisdictional command system under the Federal Response Plan (FRP). Individual and small group activities will be scattered throughout the course. At the end of the course there will be a comprehensive activity and a final exam. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Your Student Manual is designed to serve as a reference after you leave the class, and for that purpose includes additional materials beyond that presented in class. The manual includes a selection of appendicies, as well as a glossary and bibliography. The appendicies include: Appendix A: Security Awareness Bulletin articles Appendix B: Presidential Decision Directive 39 abstract (unclassified) Appendix C: The Federal Response Plan (FRP) Overview Appendix D: The Terrorism Annex to the FRP Appendix E: The FBI Chemical/Biological Incident Contingency Plan (unclassified) Appendix F: MSDS's for Chemical Warfare Materials Appendix G: Supplemental Information on Biological Agents Appendix H: Supplemental Information on Self-Protection SM 0-4 MODULE 1: UNDERSTANDING AND RECOGNIZING TERRORISM TERMINAL OBJECTIVE The students will be able to recognize circumstances that indicate a potential terrorist act. ENABLING OBJECTIVES The students will: 1. Define domestic and international terrorism per the current Department of Justice definition. 2. Illustrate, through case histories, various types of potential incidents. 3. Define differences and similarities between responding to terrorist and non-terrorist incidents. 4. Recognize suspicious circumstances which may indicate possible terrorism. INTRODUCTION UNDERSTANDING AND RECOGNIZING TERRORISM The threat of terrorism affects all communities both nationally and internationally. History has shown that no community is immune. Terrorism transcends all geographic and demographic boundaries. All jurisdictions, suburban, urban and rural are at risk. Terrorists, both international and "home grown," have demonstrated they have the knowledge and capability to strike anywhere in the world. While not all the incidents we cite here have been determined to be terrorism, they are all suspicious criminal acts which may be linked to terrorist activity. A Sampling of Suspicious Incidents in Recent History Eastern USA (East of the Mississippi River). • In February 1993, the World Trade Center was damaged by a vehicle bomb, killing 6 people. • In July 1993, a member of the Animal Liberation Front set a fire in a Michigan State University research facility. • In April 1996, members of the Georgia Militia were arrested for plotting to make dozens of pipe bombs. • In October 1996, seven men with connections to a local anti-government paramilitary group were arrested on charges of plotting to blow up the Criminal Justice Information Services complex near Clarksburg, WV. • In 1995, a Harrisonburg, VA neurologist was charged with possession of ricin with intent to use it to kill his former boss. SM 1-2 UNDERSTANDING AND RECOGNIZING TERRORISM • In September 1996, a