WMD/TERRORISMAWARENESS

Program developed by:

Marc Rudder

KCTCS-State Fire/Rescue Training

Area 13 Coordinator

OBJECTIVES

Define terrorism. Define weapons of mass destruction. Describe WMD tactics and targets. Describe terror incidents in the United States. Describe types of weapons of mass

destruction.

WHAT IS TERRORISM?

Terrorism can be described as the unlawful use of violence or threats of violence to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, to further political or social objectives.

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS 28 CFR SECTION 0.85

ULTIMATE GOAL

To produce feelings of terror in a population or group.

FBI CLASSIFICATION OF TERRORISM

DOMESTIC – Acts are committed within the United States by individuals of groups that operate entirely within the US and are not influenced by any foreign interests.

INTERNATIONAL – Includes any acts that transcend international boundaries.

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION/WMD

Devices used by terrorist which can cause maximum damage to property or people.

WMD TACTICS

Terrorists aim to instill fear and panic among the general population and to disrupt daily ways of life.

Choose method of attack that will make the desired statement or achieve maximum results.

WMD TARGETS

SYMBOLIC TARGETS– Places of Worship– Embassy– Monument– Prominent Government Building

WMD TARGETS

SIGNIFICANT TARGETS TO THE TERRORIST’S CAUSE– Example: Economic Turmoil

Interfere with transportation, trade, or commerce.

WMD TARGETS

CIVILIAN TARGETS– Arenas and Stadiums– Airports – Schools– Shopping Malls– Theme Parks

WMD TARGETS

CYBERTERRORISM TARGETS– Banking and Finance Computer Systems– Business Computer Systems– Court Computer Systems– Government Computer Systems– Law Enforcement Computer Systems– Military Computer Systems

MAJOR INCIDENTS IN U.S.

SEPTEMBER 1984 – Dalles, Oregon– To influence local elections, a religious sect

spread Salmonella on salad bars in four restaurants. The result was 750 cases of Salmonella.

February 1993 – New York City– A large explosive device was detonated in a van

parked in the underground storage area of the World Trade Center. The result was six workers killed and more than 1000 injured.

MAJOR INCIDENTS IN U.S. (CONT.)

APRIL 1995 – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK– The Alfred E. Murrah Federal Building was demolished by a

truck bomb that also killed 167 people.

1978-1995 – UNITED STATES– Over a period of 17 years, the Unabomber (Theodore

Kaczynski) mailed at least 16 packages containing explosives to university professors, corporate executives, and other targeted individuals. These attacks killed 3 individuals and injured 23 others.

MAJOR INCIDENTS IN U.S. (CONT.)

JULY 1996 – ATLANTA, GEORGIA– A pipe bomb exploded in Centennial Olympic

Park, killing one person and injuring 111 others. JANUARY 1997 – ATLANTA, GEORGIA

– Following the bombing of an abortion clinic in suburban Atlanta, a secondary device exploded, wounding several emergency responders. A month later, another secondary device was found and disarmed at the scene of a bombing at a gay nightclub in Atlanta.

MAJOR INCIDENTS IN U.S. (CONT.)

JANUARY 1998 – BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA– A bomb killed a police officer who was providing

security at an abortion clinic.

OCTOBER 1998 – VAIL, COLORADO– Arson destroyed eight buildings at a ski resort.

An extremist environmental group opposed to expansion of the resort claimed responsibility.

MAJOR INCIDENTS IN U.S. (CONT.)

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 – NEW YORK CITY/WASHINGTON D.C./PENNSYLVANIA

– Terrorists hijacked four commercial jets. Two were flown into the World Trade Center, one struck the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania. More than 3000 people died in the various incidents.

FALL 2001 – UNITED STATES– Five people died after letters containing anthrax virus were

sent to various locations in the eastern United States.

EXAMPLES OF WMD WEAPONS

Chemical Biological Radiological Conventional Weapons Explosives and Incendiary Devices

CHEMICAL WEAPONS

CHOKING AGENT – Chlorine, Cyanide NERVE AGENT – Tabun (GA), Soman (GD),

Sarin (GB), V-agent (VX) BLISTER AGENT – Sulfur Mustard, Lewisite PULMONARY AGENT – Phosgene, Chlorine METABOLIC AGENT – Cyanide

BIOLOGICAL AGENT

ANTHRAX – Infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis

PLAGUE – Infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis which is commonly found on rodents

SMALLPOX – Highly infectious disease caused by the virus Variola

RADIOLOGICAL

Radioactive materials release energy in the form of electromagnetic waves or energy particles.

In recent years, the radiation dispersal device or “dirty bomb” has emerged as a source of serious concern in terms of terrorism. This would involve packing a radiation source around a conventional explosive device to contaminate a wide area.

RADIOLOGICAL (CONT.)

TYPES OF RADIATION: ALPHA – Quickly loses energy and a sheet of paper

or clothing will stop these particles BETA – More powerful will travel 10 to 15 feet.

Metal, plastic, and glass can stop this type of energy. GAMMA – Travels significant distances, penetrate

most materials, and through the body. Concrete, earth, and lead (dense materials) will stop this type of energy.

CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS

GUNS KNIVES

EXPLOSIVES AND INCENDIARY DEVICES

AMMONIUM NITRATE FERTILIZER AND FUEL OIL (ANFO) – Explosives that can be purchased prepared or can be home-made. Used in Oklahoma City bombing.

IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVISE (IED) – Any explosive devise that is fabricated from readily available materials.

– Pipe bomb– Letter bomb– Truckload of explosives

EXPLOSIVE OR INCENDIARY DEVICE (CONT)

INCENDIARY DEVICE – A device or mechanism used to start a fire or explosion.– Mol-a-tov cocktail

HOMELAND SECURITY COLOR-CODED THREAT LEVEL SYSTEM

SEVERE – (Red) Severe risk of terrorist attacks. HIGH – (Orange) High risk of terrorist attacks. ELEVATED – (Yellow) Significant risk of terrorist

attacks. GUARDED – (BLUE) General risk of terrorist

attacks. LOW – (GREEN) Low risk of terrorist attacks.

SUMMARY

This presentation described Terrorism and WMD incidents.

The following topics were covered: WMD Tactics WMD Targets Terror Incidents (within the U.S.) Types of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Material contained in presentation obtained from:

Abel, Chad, Michael Anderson, et al. Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills. 2nd ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett, 2009. 894-915.