Terrorism Awareness: Weapons Of Mass Destruction: Part IV, Explosives

Paul R Smith REMTP
Fire Service Captain
Rural/Metro Emergency Response Training
Florida 1 DMAT
Mobile Fire Rescue Department

Address:

Citation: P. R. Smith : Terrorism Awareness: Weapons Of Mass Destruction: Part IV, Explosives . The Internet Journal of Rescue and Disaster Medicine. 2001 Volume 2 Number 2

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Keywords: rescue | disaster | medicine | aeromedical | airplane | helicopter | intensive care medicine | ambulance | paramedic | flight nurse | disaster plans | disaster medicine | disaster relief | rescue missions | medical air transportation | emergency medicine | trauma medicine | Terrorism | terrorism awareness | explosives | biological weapons | chemical weapons

Abstract

This article written in 4 parts. It covers the fields of terrorism awareness and some of the weapons used by terrorists: chemical, biological, radiological and explosive weapons.

Part 1: Chemical Agents

Part 2: Biological Agents

Part 3: Radiological Agents

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Explosive Ordinances

The example given at the beginning of this manual asked what would you do if your security office received a report of an explosive device (bomb) on the facility. What would your company do?

If this has not happened yet, you are in for a new experience. Almost every facility, business, governmental agency and educational facility has received these types of threats. Whether this is a real incident or just a hoax will have to be determined by you or your company’s security / emergency response department and / or local law enforcement.

When we talk about Hazardous Material, the acronym IEDC should come to mind.

I – Isolate the area / product.

E – Evacuate the area.

D – Deny entry to the area.

C – Call for trained help.

All From a Safe Distance!

When dealing with any type of explosive ordinance, the trained help you need to call for is a Bomb Squad or Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Unit/Team. Use your company’s policy on bomb threats to determine how involved your personnel will become in searching for a device. Keep in mind; if the device detonates and your team was looking for it, they could now be part of the problem.

In the US, it is estimated that 70% of all terrorist attacks worldwide involve some type of explosives. As we said earlier, you can purchase the components for most of the explosive devices used in these attacks from the corner drug, hardware and / or grocery store.

To understand the threat and capabilities of explosive ordinances first you should understand what explosives are. They are materials capable of violent decomposition. When these products violently decompose they produce a sudden gas release followed by high temperatures, strong shock waves and a loud noise.

Some of the cheapest and easiest devices to make are incendiary in nature. For example, a firebomb or old bottle of gasoline or some other type of flammable product, with a rag or fuse in it. This type of device has a long history of use. The effects they produce not only cause fires, injuries and possible death; but they can cause additional explosions, until all the fuel is consumed.

Explosives can be placed almost anywhere and be concealed in almost any type of package. Some different types of packages used are automobiles, trucks, pipes, book bags, suitcases, briefcases, shoebox, an envelope, etc. Bombers are limited only by their imagination. Some of these devices can carry large amounts while others carry only small amounts. It depends on the amount of harm or damage they want to produce.

The safety of everyone, ERP’s, employees and the community is important. If a threat is received, treat it like there may be a device. If any strange or out of place item(s) are discovered, no matter how large or small, treat it with respect. Time, Distance and Shielding is one place to start. The North American Emergency Response Guidebook (NAERG) is another great place to start.

For public safety measures it recommends isolating the area for at least 3,000 feet in all directions. Further, it recommends not using any type of radio or cell phone within 300 to 400 feet of the suspected or confirmed device. Most emergency responders should stage at least 1,000 feet away.

If there has been some type of detonation, confirm the safety of the area personnel. Yours, or the civilians in the area. Evacuate any victims, remembering some simple principles. Life over limb is the most important. If one device has detonating, expect a secondary device. The term secondary device is given to those devices designed to hurt or kill us, the emergency responders. There have been numerous cases in the last few years of devices being placed where the emergency responders would be staging or setting up their command post. Always remember; if you have found one possible device, there could be a second. Search everywhere and everything.

When searching for secondary devices after a detonation or searching for the first device, take someone from the area or facility. This person will know what is out of place or if something is unusual. Always search around the staging, command post, medical treatment or other areas where ERP, media or civilians are located. Look up, look down, and look all around when searching. Usually start at least 100 feet from the first device. Remember that this is now a crime scene and that local, state, and possible federal agencies will be getting involved. Do not touch, move or cover any device or possible device.

The only good thing that can be said is 90 % of all bomb threats are threats, a hoax. The other small percentage, the bomber is just wanting more victims. How do we know when it’s a hoax or when it’s the real thing? Look at the Olympic Park Bombing, a few minutes after 911 received a garbled call, the bomb detonated. You just never know.

In the appendix you will find a phone report for bomb threats. This will help whoever receives the threat to get good information. A bomb threat caller identification worksheet will help you and the law enforcement agency in your area investigate the threat and possibly lead to an arrest of the caller.

Resources

• United States Department of Justice
• Center for Domestic Preparedness
• Office of Justice Programs Manuals

• United States Department of Transportation (DOT)

• United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• State of Alabama
• Emergency Management Agency
• Anti-Terrorism
• Personal Security Planning Guide
• (Alabama Dept of Public Safety)
• (Alabama National Guard)
• (Georgia Emergency Management)
• (The Federal Bureau of Investigations)
• (The Federal Emergency Management Agency)

• Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM)

• The National Fire Academy
• Emergency Response to Terrorism

• The Mobile Alabama Fire-Rescue Department
• Chemical, Biological and Radiological
• Incident Response Guide

• The History Channel Special Reports and Documentaries

• Journal of American Medical Association August 1997

• Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
• Militia Task Force

Appendix 1

Phone Report for Bomb Threats

Date and Time: ___________________________

What did the caller say? ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Location of the device (bomb): ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Description of the package or device (bomb): ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

When will it explode? _________________________________________________

What will cause it to explode? ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Can it be deactivated? Yes / No If so How? _______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

Why was it placed there? ________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Did you place it there? Yes / No Why? ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Appendix 2

Bomb Threat Caller Identification Worksheet

Did the caller identify him or herself or group? Yes No

Name:

Sex of caller: Male Female Age (approximately how old): Adult Child

Origin of Call: Local Long Distance Internal

Callers Voice

Background Noises

Familiarity:

Did the caller sound familiar? Yes No If so how? _________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Did the caller appear to be familiar with the facility or location the device or bomb was supposed to have been placed? Yes No If so how? _______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Name and title of person receiving the call: __________________________________________________________

Telephone number the call was received on: ____________________________

Extension: ____________________

Immediately after the call, report the threat to Security, The Senior Facility Manager, Local Police and Fire (if applicable)

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