Terrorism & Bioterrorism Terrorism & Bioterrorism Communication Communication

ChallengesChallenges

Module 9Module 9

FBI’s Definition of TerrorismFBI’s Definition of Terrorism

A terrorist A terrorist incident incident is a is a violent act or an act violent act or an act dangerous to human life, in dangerous to human life, in violation of the criminal laws violation of the criminal laws of the United States, or of of the United States, or of any state, to intimidate or any state, to intimidate or coerce a government, the coerce a government, the civilian population, or any civilian population, or any segment thereof, in segment thereof, in furtherance of political or furtherance of political or social objectives. social objectives.

Federal AgenciesFederal Agencies

Federal Bureau of Investigation Federal Bureau of Investigation – Lead agency for crisis managementLead agency for crisis management– Responsible for criminal investigationResponsible for criminal investigation

Federal Emergency Management Federal Emergency Management AgencyAgency– Lead agency for consequence Lead agency for consequence

managementmanagement

Department of Health & Department of Health & Human ServicesHuman Services

Crisis managementCrisis management– Supports threat assessment, epidemiologic Supports threat assessment, epidemiologic

investigation and technical adviceinvestigation and technical advice– may include agent identification, sample may include agent identification, sample

collection and analysis, onsite safety activitiescollection and analysis, onsite safety activities

Consequence managementConsequence management– Mass immunization/prophylaxisMass immunization/prophylaxis– Mass fatality managementMass fatality management– Strategic National StockpileStrategic National Stockpile

The Weapons of a TerroristThe Weapons of a Terrorist

BNICEBNICE– BiologicalBiological– NuclearNuclear– IncendiaryIncendiary– ChemicalChemical– ExplosivesExplosives

CBRNECBRNE– ChemicalChemical– BiologicalBiological– RadiologicalRadiological– NuclearNuclear– ExplosivesExplosives

Terrorist IncidentsTerrorist Incidents

86% are bombings86% are bombings Most events are either instantaneous Most events are either instantaneous

or of a fairly short durationor of a fairly short duration Most are identifiable at the time of Most are identifiable at the time of

occurrenceoccurrence Bioterrorism is differentBioterrorism is different

BioterrorismBioterrorism Bioterrorism is the intentional release of

potentially deadly bacteria, viruses, or toxins into the air, food, or water supply.

Inexpensive and easy to produceInexpensive and easy to produce Effect large number of personsEffect large number of persons Can exhaust resources for a long period of Can exhaust resources for a long period of

timetime Hard to trace perpetratorHard to trace perpetrator

Bioterrorism vs. Pandemic Bioterrorism vs. Pandemic FluFlu

An effective weapon would be An effective weapon would be communicable, like flucommunicable, like flu

Both could cause a large number of Both could cause a large number of illnesses and deathsillnesses and deaths

Both could disrupt major aspects of Both could disrupt major aspects of societysociety

Origin – does it matter to healthcare?Origin – does it matter to healthcare?– Bioterrorism – many patient zerosBioterrorism – many patient zeros– Pandemic – could have one initial source Pandemic – could have one initial source

FEAR!FEAR!

Which causes more fear? Why?Which causes more fear? Why?– Naturally occurring eventNaturally occurring event– AccidentAccident– TerrorismTerrorism

Communicating in a Health Communicating in a Health CrisisCrisis

Establish a Joint Information Center (JIC) if Establish a Joint Information Center (JIC) if necessarynecessary– Confine comments to your specialtyConfine comments to your specialty– Clear all comments with FBI/LE if terrorism Clear all comments with FBI/LE if terrorism – Use risk communication principlesUse risk communication principles

Question Anticipation; 27-9-3 Rule; T-T-T ModelQuestion Anticipation; 27-9-3 Rule; T-T-T Model

– Keep the public informed, up-to-dateKeep the public informed, up-to-date Get a jump on the storyGet a jump on the story

– Deal with rumorsDeal with rumors Be truthfulBe truthful

– Tell people how to protect themselvesTell people how to protect themselves

Strategic National StockpileStrategic National Stockpile

SNS consists of multiple, SNS consists of multiple, comprehensive packages of drugs, comprehensive packages of drugs, vaccines, medical supplies and vaccines, medical supplies and equipmentequipment

Located at 12 sites around the U.S.Located at 12 sites around the U.S. Will arrive within 12 hours of request Will arrive within 12 hours of request

approvalapproval

Strategic National StockpileStrategic National Stockpile

12-hour Push-Package12-hour Push-Package– Arrives in 100 specialized cargo Arrives in 100 specialized cargo

containers viacontainers via Wide-body aircraft (747 or 767) or Wide-body aircraft (747 or 767) or 7 tractor-trailers7 tractor-trailers

– Weight is 50 tons, requires 5,000 sq.ft. Weight is 50 tons, requires 5,000 sq.ft. of spaceof space

– Designed to treat 1 million peopleDesigned to treat 1 million people

12 Hour Push Pack12 Hour Push Pack

QuestionQuestion

What are the communication What are the communication challenges posed by the deployment challenges posed by the deployment of the SNS?of the SNS?