DPT 8.0

The Threat of NBC TerrorismAre we Really at Risk ? ? ?

DPT 8.0

YES: Domestic Preparedness Partnership Established 1996

The Nuclear Biologic and Chemical Difference “DELTA”

NBC “DELTA” Builds on:Health care readiness for Mass DisastersExisting skills: Medical Emergencies

HAZMAT ResponseExtending these skills to include response to a potential, deliberate terrorist event

DPT 8.0

Objectives

• To familiarize you with

– Recent NBC events

– The potential for terrorist use of NBC agents

– Sources and hazards of NBC agents

– Targets and indicators of NBC attacks

– Outcomes of NBC terrorist events

• So that you can recognize an NBC attack and understand the potential impacts

DPT 8.0

Potential Probability vs. Impact

POTENTIALIMPACT

PROBABILITY/LIKELIHOOD

NUCLEARWEAPON

IMPROVISEDNUCLEAR

DEVICE

RADIOACTIVEMATERIAL

CHEMICAL AGENTOR TOXIC

INDUSTRIALCHEMICAL

BIOLOGICALAGENT

DPT 8.0

NBC Terrorist Incidents Since 1970

1984 Botulinum

1972 Typhoid

00959085807570

March 1995 Sarin12 Dead, 5500 Affected

November 1995Radioactive Cesium

December 1995Ricin

June 1996 Uranium

1992 Cyanide

March 1995 Ricin

April 1995 Sarin

April-June 1995Cyanide, Phosgene,

Pepper Spray

February 1997 Chlorine

14 Injured,500 Evacuated

June 1994 Sarin

7 Dead,200 Injured

May 1995 Plague

April 1997 U235

1984 Salmonella

200 Injured

1985 Cyanide

Sept 11, 2001WTC-NYC

Pentagon-DC3000 Dead

USA as ONGOINGNBC target

DPT 8.0

Groups That Threaten

• Lone individual

• Identified local or non-aligned terrorist groups

• Internationally sponsored

• Doomsday cults

• Insurgents

DPT 8.0

Why NBC Terrorism?

• Agents are available & relatively easy to manufacture

• Large amount not needed in enclosed space

• NBC incident difficult to recognize

• Easily spread over large areas

• Psychological impact

• Can overwhelm existing resources

DPT 8.0

Proliferation of Anthrax Hoaxes

• B’nai B’rith, Washington, D.C.April 199730 persons decontaminated

• Los Angeles, CASep 98 - Jan 9916 incidentsEstimated cost: $4 - 5 Million

• Indianapolis, INSep - Dec 199810 incidentsmultiple incident per day

• Post Office, Columbus, GAJan 19993 persons decontaminated

• NBC News Bureau, Atlanta, GAJan 19993 blocks evacuated12 persons decontaminated

• Washington Post & Old Executive BuildingJan 19992 incidents on same day

DPT 8.0

Limitations of NBC Agents

• Effective dissemination difficult

• Delayed effects can detract from impact

• Counterproductive to terrorists’ support

• Potentially hazardous to the terrorist

• Development and use require skill

DPT 8.0

NBC Agent Sources

• Home production

• Laboratory / commercial production

• Industrial facilities

• Foreign military sources

• Medical / university research facilities

DPT 8.0

Potential Terrorist Targets

• Enclosed spaces

• Large crowds (high profile events)

• Critical facilities and infrastructure

• Accessible facilities with significant hazard / damage potential (materials in transit)

• Facilities of interest to terrorists’ cause

DPT 8.0

The Fallacies

• It can’t happen to us

• NBC agents are so deadly the victims will all die anyway

• There is nothing we can do

DPT 8.0

Practical ExerciseWHAT ARE THE

POTENTIAL TARGETS

IN OUR AREA?

WHY?

DPT 8.0

Targets in OUR Area ? State Capital

Nuclear Plant

Alltel ArenaAirport

Old State House

DowntownChemical Arsenal

DPT 8.0

We are vulnerable ...