Some Terrorism Myths

Myth: WMD are so deadly that we will all die so why bother planning.
Fact: WMD are not doomsday devices.  Most people surrounding a WMD event will survive.  We should be prepared to survive, assist the injured, and rebuild.

Myth: There is nothing we can do.
Fact: There is a lot we can do.  Write a home disaster plan.  Put together a home disaster kit.  Join a local volunteer community disaster response group such as a CERT team, volunteer fire department, American Red Cross Disaster Team, etc.

Myth: It can't or won't happen here.
Fact: There is no place immune from terrorism.  Some terrorists find the idea of striking rural America very appealing just to show that they are capable and willing to strike anywhere.
 
Unfortunately, no place is immune from terrorism.  This includes the Navarro County.  Terrorism takes on many forms and faces.  Weapons of Mass Destruction, or WMD, can be chemical, biological, radiological, or incendiary (explosive) devices.  The terrorists can be people from other countries (international terrorism), or from our own citizens (domestic terrorism).  Terrorism need not, and usually does not cause a lot of deaths to be effective.  The idea behind terrorism is to disrupt our routines, to make us scared to go about our daily lives.  Therefore, sometimes the mere threat of terrorism is enough to get the desired effect.  But make no mistake, terrorism can also be deadly on an almost unprecedented scale, such as 9-11 (international terrorism) and the Oklahoma City bombing (domestic terrorism).

Preparing For Terrorism

The thought of terrorism should not dominate our lives.  Knowledge is the best defense.  Learn about the different types of potential terrorist threats.  Have your disaster plan and disaster kit.  Learn how to shelter-in-place.  Learn first aid / CPR.  Pay attention to the terror alerts from homeland security.  Be involved in your neighborhood.  Know who usually comes and goes so you know when something unusual is going on.  Report suspicious activities. 

Biological Threats
A biological attack involves the intentional release of a germ or other biological substance to make you sick.  Some of these agents such anthrax are not contagious to others while other agents like smallpox, are highly contagious. 

Unlike a bomb going off, a biological attack may not become obvious until people start getting sick.  You will probably learn about the danger through information that our Health Department or the state or federal government releases through the radio and TV stations.  Our public health officials will provide you with information on what you should do as quickly as they can.  However, it can take time to learn exactly what illness we are dealing with, how it should be treated, and who is in the greatest danger.

If there is a declared biological emergency and a family member gets sick, it is important to be suspicious but do not automatically assume that they have been exposed to the biological agent and need to go to the hospital.  Symptoms of many illnesses overlap. 

Chemical Threats
A chemical attack is the deliberate release of a toxic chemical.  The chemical can be solid, liquid or most likely, a gas.  Some common symptoms of a chemical exposure are watery eyes, twitching, choking, loss of coordination, and trouble breathing.  Many sick or dead birds, fish, or small animals are also cause for suspicion.

If you suspect a chemical attack, try to determine the affected area as quickly as possible.  Take immediate action to get away from the area if you can do so without going through the affected area.  Be aware that the wind can carry a gas cloud so go upwind of the area.

If you cannot safely get away be prepared to shelter-in-place.  If your eyes are watering, your skin is tingling, you are having trouble breathing or think you might have been exposed for any other reason, strip off your clothing and wash in tepid water - not hot.  The removal of clothing will decontaminate you as much as 85%.  Use a light soap and do not scrub the chemical into your skin.  Seek emergency medical attention.  Expect to go through more decontamination before being allowed inside the hospital.

Radiological Attack
An attack using radiation does not necessarily require a nuclear explosion.  If fact, a terrorist is more likely to try to explode a "dirty bomb."  I dirty bomb uses a common explosive to spread radioactive materials over a target area.  There is no nuclear blast but the there will be localized radioactive contamination.  It will probably not be immediately obvious that the explosion was a dirty bomb unless the terrorist tells us so.  Radiation is colorless, tasteless, and invisible.  Special instruments are needed to detect its presence. 

Your best defense against radiation to limit your exposure.  You do this by managing your time, distance, and shielding.  Listen to the Emergency Alerts broadcast on the local TV, radio, and your NOAA all-hazards radio.  Be prepared to shelter-in-place.