ARE YOU READY? 83
coercion or ransom. Terrorists often use
threats to create fear among the public, to
National
try to convince citizens that their govern-
ment is powerless to prevent terrorism,
and to get immediate publicity for their
Security
causes.
Acts of terrorism range from threats of
Emergencies
terrorism, assassinations, kidnappings,
hijackings, bomb scares and bombings,
cyber attacks (computer-based), to the
use of chemical, biological and nuclear
weapons.
High-risk targets include military and
civilian government facilities, international
airports, large cities and high-profile land-
marks. Terrorists might also target large
public gatherings, water and food supplies,
utilities, and corporate centers. Further,
they are capable of spreading fear by send-
ing explosives or chemical and biological
agents through the mail.
In the immediate area of a terrorist event,
you would need to rely on police, fire and
other officials for instructions. However,
you can prepare in much the same way
n addition to the natural and tech- you would prepare for other crisis events.
nological hazards described in this
Ipublication, Americans face threats
posed by hostile governments or extremist Preparing for terrorism
groups. These threats to national security
1. Wherever you are, be aware of your
include acts of terrorism and acts of war.
surroundings. The very nature of
The following is general information about terrorism suggests there may be little
national security emergencies. For more or no warning.
information about how to prepare for
2. Take precautions when traveling. Be
them, including volunteering in a Citizen
aware of conspicuous or unusual be-
Corps program, see the  For More Infor-
havior. Do not accept packages from
mation chapter at the end of this guide.
strangers. Do not leave luggage unat-
tended. Unusual behavior, suspicious
packages and strange devices should
be promptly reported to the police or
Terrorism
security personnel.
errorism is the use of force or violence
3. Do not be afraid to move or leave if you
Tagainst persons or property in viola-
feel uncomfortable or if something does
tion of the criminal laws of the United
not seem right.
States for purposes of intimidation,
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
84 ARE YOU READY?
4. Learn where emergency exits are lo- shelter-in-place, because of hazardous
cated in buildings you frequent. No- materials releases, nuclear power plant
tice where exits are when you enter incident, dam or flood control system
unfamiliar buildings. Plan how to get failures.
out of a building, subway or congested
public area or traffic. Note where
staircases are located. Notice heavy or Preparing for a
breakable objects that could move, fall
building explosion
or break in an explosion.
Explosions can collapse buildings and
5. Assemble a disaster supply kit at
cause fires. People who live or work in a
home and learn first aid. Separate the
multi-level building can do the following:
supplies you would take if you had to
evacuate quickly, and put them in a
1. Review emergency evacuation proce-
backpack or container, ready to go.
dures. Know where emergency exits
are located.
6. Be familiar with different types of fire
extinguishers and how to locate them.
2. Keep fire extinguishers in working
Know the location and availability of
order. Know where they are located,
hard hats in buildings in which you
and learn how to use them.
spend a lot of time.
3. Learn first aid. Contact the local chap-
ter of the American Red Cross for infor-
mation and training.
Protection against cyber attacks
4. Building owners should keep the
Cyber attacks target computer or tele-
following items in a designated place
communication networks of critical infra-
on each floor of the building.
structures such as power systems, traffic
control systems, or financial systems. " Portable, battery-operated radio and
Cyber attacks target information tech- extra batteries
nologies (IT) in three different ways. First, " Several flashlights and extra batteries
is a direct attack against an information " First aid kit and manual
system  through the wires alone (hack- " Several hard hats
ing). Second, the attack can be a physical " Fluorescent tape to rope off dan-
assault against a critical IT element. Third, gerous areas
the attack can be from the inside as a re-
sult of compromising a trusted party with
Bomb threats
access to the system.
If you receive a bomb threat, get as much
1. Be prepared to do without services you
information from the caller as possible.
normally depend on that could be dis-
Keep the caller on the line and record
rupted electricity, telephone, natural
everything that is said. Then notify the
gas, gasoline pumps, cash registers,
police and the building management.
ATM machines, and internet transac-
tions.
If you are notified of a bomb threat, do not
touch any suspicious packages. Clear the
2. Be prepared to respond to official
area around suspicious packages and no-
instructions if a cyber attack triggers
tify the police immediately. In evacuating
other hazards, for example, general
a building, don t stand in front of windows,
evacuation, evacuation to shelter, or
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ARE YOU READY? 85
glass doors or other potentially hazardous " Have incorrect titles or title without a
areas. Do not block sidewalk or streets to name.
be used by emergency officials or others
" Are not addressed to a specific person.
still exiting the building.
" Have handwritten or poorly typed
addresses.
Suspicious parcels and letters
With suspicious envelopes and packages
other than those that might contain explo-
Be wary of suspicious packages and let-
sives, take these additional steps against
ters. They can contain explosives, chemi-
possible biological and chemical agents.
cal or biological agents. Be particularly
cautious at your place of employment. " Refrain from eating or drinking in a
designated mail handling area.
Some typical characteristics postal inspec-
" Place suspicious envelopes or packages
tors have detected over the
in a plastic bag or some other
years, which ought to trigger
type of container to prevent
suspicion, include parcels
In the immediate
leakage of contents. Never
that
sniff or smell suspect mail.
area of a
" Are unexpected or from
terrorist event,
" If you do not have a con-
someone unfamiliar to you.
tainer, then cover the envelope
leave quickly
" Have no return address, or
or package with anything
and orderly.
have one that can t be veri-
available (e.g., clothing, paper,
Listen to police,
fied as legitimate.
trash can, etc.) and do not
fire, and other
" Are marked with restric- remove the cover.
officials for
tive endorsements, such as
" Leave the room and close
instructions.
 Personal,  Confidential
the door, or section off the
or  Do not x-ray.
area to prevent others from
" Have protruding wires or entering.
aluminum foil, strange odors or stains.
" Wash your hands with soap and water
" Show a city or state in the postmark to prevent spreading any powder to
that doesn t match the return address. your face.
" Are of unusual weight, given their size, " If you are at work, report the incident
or are lopsided or oddly shaped. to your building security official or an
available supervisor, who should notify
" Are marked with any threatening
police and other authorities without
language.
delay.
" Have inappropriate or unusual labeling.
" List all people who were in the room
" Have excessive postage or excessive
or area when this suspicious letter or
packaging material such as masking
package was recognized. Give a copy
tape and string.
of this list to both the local public
" Have misspellings of common words. health authorities and law enforcement
officials for follow-up investigations and
" Are addressed to someone no longer
advice.
with your organization or are otherwise
outdated. " If you are at home, report the incident
to local police.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
86 ARE YOU READY?
2. If you are trapped in debris:
What to do if there is an explosion
" Do not light a match.
Leave the building as quickly as possible.
" Do not move about or kick up dust.
Do not stop to retrieve personal posses-
Cover your mouth with a handker-
sions or make phone calls. If things are
chief or clothing.
falling around you, get under a sturdy
" Rhythmically tap on a pipe or wall
table or desk until they stop falling. Then
so that rescuers can hear where you
leave quickly, watching for weakened
are. Use a whistle if one is available.
floors and stairs and falling debris as you
Shout only as a last resort when
exit.
you hear sounds and think someone
will hear you shouting can cause a
1. If there is a fire:
person to inhale dangerous amounts
" Stay low to the floor and exit the
of dust.
building as quickly as possible.
" Cover your nose and mouth with a
wet cloth.
Chemical and
" When approaching a closed door,
use the back of your hand to feel
Biological Weapons
the lower, middle and upper parts
of the door. Never use the palm of
n case of a chemical or biological weap-
your hand or fingers to test for heat:
Ion attack near you, authorities will
burning those areas could impair
instruct you on the best course of action.
your ability to escape a fire (i.e., lad-
This may be to evacuate the area immedi-
ders and crawling).
ately, to seek shelter at a designated loca-
 If the door is NOT hot, open slowly
tion, or to take immediate shelter where
and ensure fire and/or smoke is
you are and seal the premises. The best
not blocking your escape route. If
way to protect yourself is to take emer-
your escape route is blocked, shut
gency preparedness measures ahead of
the door immediately and use an
time and to get medical attention as soon
alternate escape route, such as a
as possible, if needed.
window. If clear, leave immedi-
ately through the door. Be pre-
Chemical
pared to crawl. Smoke and heat
rise. The air is clearer and cooler
Chemical warfare agents are poisonous
near the floor.
vapors, aerosols, liquids or solids that
 If the door is hot, do not open
have toxic effects on people, animals or
it. Escape through a window. If
plants. They can be released by bombs,
you cannot escape, hang a white
sprayed from aircraft, boats, or vehicles,
or light-colored sheet outside the
or used as a liquid to create a hazard to
window, alerting fire fighters to
people and the environment. Some chemi-
your presence.
cal agents may be odorless and tasteless.
" Heavy smoke and poisonous gases
They can have an immediate effect (a few
collect first along the ceiling. Stay
seconds to a few minutes) or a delayed ef-
below the smoke at all times.
fect (several hours to several days). While
potentially lethal, chemical agents are
difficult to deliver in lethal concentrations.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ARE YOU READY? 87
Outdoors, the agents often dissipate rap- duced or altered by chemical means.
idly. Chemical agents are also difficult to Some toxins can be treated with spe-
produce. cific antitoxins and selected drugs.
There are six types of agents: Most biological agents are difficult to grow
and maintain. Many break down quickly
" Lung-damaging (pulmonary) agents
when exposed to sunlight and other en-
such as phosgene,
vironmental factors, while others such as
" Cyanide,
anthrax spores are very long lived. They
can be dispersed by spraying them in the
" Vesicants or blister agents such as
air, or infecting animals which carry the
mustard,
disease to humans as well through food
" Nerve agents such as GA (tabun), GB
and water contamination.
(sarin), GD (soman), GF, and VX,
" Aerosols Biological agents are dis-
" Incapacitating agents such
persed into the air, forming
as BZ, and
a fine mist that may drift for
Be aware
" Riot-control agents (similar
miles. Inhaling the agent may
to MACE).
of your cause disease in people or
animals.
surroundings.
The very nature " Animals Some diseases
Biological
are spread by insects and
of terrorism
animals, such as fleas, mice,
Biological agents are organ-
suggests that
flies, and mosquitoes. Delib-
isms or toxins that can kill or
there may
erately spreading diseases
incapacitate people, livestock
be little or no
through livestock is also
and crops. The three basic
warning.
referred to as agroterrorism.
groups of biological agents
which would likely be used as
" Food and water contami-
weapons are bacteria, virus-
nation Some pathogenic or-
es, and toxins.
ganisms and toxins may persist in food
and water supplies. Most microbes can
1. Bacteria. Bacteria are small free-living
be killed, and toxins deactivated, by
organisms that reproduce by simple
cooking food and boiling water.
division and are easy to grow. The
diseases they produce often respond to Anthrax spores formulated as a white
treatment with antibiotics. powder were mailed to individuals in
the government and media in the fall of
2. Viruses. Viruses are organisms which
2001. Postal sorting machines and the
require living cells in which to repro-
opening of letters dispersed the spores
duce and are intimately dependent
as aerosols. Several deaths resulted.
upon the body they infect. Viruses
The effect was to disrupt mail service
produce diseases which generally do
and to cause a widespread fear of han-
not respond to antibiotics. However,
dling delivered mail among the public.
antiviral drugs are sometimes effective.
Person-to-person spread of a few
3. Toxins. Toxins are poisonous
infectious agents is also possible.
substances found in, and extracted
Humans have been the source of
from, living plants, animals, or micro-
infection for smallpox, plague, and
organisms; some toxins can be pro-
the Lassa viruses.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
88 ARE YOU READY?
" Seek shelter in an internal room,
What to do to prepare for a
preferably one without windows.
chemical or biological attack
Seal the room with duct tape and
plastic sheeting. Ten square feet of
" Assemble a disaster supply kit (see
floor space per person will provide
the  Emergency Planning and Disas-
sufficient air to prevent carbon di-
ter Supplies chapter for more infor-
oxide build-up for up to five hours.
mation) and be sure to include:
(See  Shelter chapter.)
" Battery-powered commercial radio with
" Remain in protected areas where
extra batteries.
toxic vapors are reduced or elimi-
" Non-perishable food and drinking
nated, and be sure to take your bat-
water.
tery-operated radio with you.
" Roll of duct tape and scissors.
3. If you are caught in an unprotected
area, you should:
" Plastic for doors, windows
and vents for the room in " Attempt to get up-wind of
The best
which you will shelter in the contaminated area.
protection
place this should be an
" Attempt to find shelter as
against a
internal room where you
quickly as possible.
chemical or
can block out air that may
" Listen to your radio for of-
contain hazardous chemi- biological attack
ficial instructions.
cal or biological agents. To
would come from
save critical time during
being prepared
an emergency, sheeting
What to do after a
and getting
should be pre-measured
quick medical chemical attack
and cut for each opening.
attention.
Immediate symptoms of
" First aid kit.
exposure to chemical agents
" Sanitation supplies
may include blurred vision,
including soap, water and bleach.
eye irritation, difficulty breathing and
nausea. A person affected by a chemical
or biological agent requires immediate at-
What to do during a chemical or
tention by professional medical personnel.
If medical help is not immediately avail-
biological attack
able, decontaminate yourself and assist in
1. Listen to your radio for instructions
decontaminating others. Decontamination
from authorities such as whether to
is needed within minutes of exposure to
remain inside or to evacuate.
minimize health consequences. (However,
you should not leave the safety of a shelter
2. If you are instructed to remain in your
to go outdoors to help others until authori-
home, the building where you are, or
ties announce it is safe to do so.)
other shelter during a chemical or bio-
1. Use extreme caution when helping oth-
logical attack:
ers who have been exposed to chemical
" Turn off all ventilation, including
agents:
furnaces, air conditioners, vents and
" Remove all clothing and other items
fans.
in contact with the body. Contami-
nated clothing normally removed
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ARE YOU READY? 89
over the head should be cut off to and emergency alert systems.
avoid contact with the eyes, nose,
If your skin or clothing comes in contact
and mouth. Put into a plastic bag
with a visible, potentially infectious sub-
if possible. Decontaminate hands
stance, you should remove and bag your
using soap and water. Remove
clothes and personal items and wash
eyeglasses or contact lenses. Put
yourself with warm soapy water immedi-
glasses in a pan of household bleach
ately. Put on clean clothes and seek medi-
to decontaminate.
cal assistance.
2. Remove all items in contact with the
For more information, visit the website for
body.
the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
3. Flush eyes with lots of water.
vention, www.bt.cdc.gov.
4. Gently wash face and hair with soap
and water; then thoroughly rinse with
water.
Nuclear and
5. Decontaminate other body areas
likely to have been contaminated. Blot
Radiological Attack
(do not swab or scrape) with a cloth
soaked in soapy water and rinse with
uclear explosions can cause deadly
clear water.
Neffects blinding light, intense
heat (thermal radiation), initial nuclear
6. Change into uncontaminated clothes.
radiation, blast, fires started by the heat
Clothing stored in drawers or closets is
pulse, and secondary fires caused by the
likely to be uncontaminated.
destruction. They also produce radioactive
7. If possible, proceed to a medical facility
particles called fallout that can be carried
for screening.
by wind for hundreds of miles.
Terrorist use of a radiological dispersion
What to do after a biological attack
device (RDD) often called  dirty nuke
or  dirty bomb  is considered far more
In many biological attacks, people will not
likely than use of a nuclear device. These
know they have been exposed to an agent.
radiological weapons are a combination
In such situations, the first evidence of
of conventional explosives and radio-
an attack may be when you notice symp-
active material designed to scatter danger-
toms of the disease caused by an agent
ous and sub-lethal amounts of radio-
exposure, and you should seek immediate
active material over a general area. Such
medical attention for treatment.
radiological weapons appeal to terrorists
In some situations, like the anthrax let- because they require very little technical
ters sent in 2001, people may be alerted knowledge to build and deploy compared
to a potential exposure. If this is the case, to that of a nuclear device. Also, these ra-
pay close attention to all official warnings dioactive materials, used widely in med-
and instructions on how to proceed. The icine, agriculture, industry and research,
delivery of medical services for a biologi- are much more readily available and easy
cal event may be handled differently to to obtain compared to weapons grade ura-
respond to increased demand. Again, it nium or plutonium.
will be important for you to pay attention
to official instructions via radio, television,
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
90 ARE YOU READY?
Taking shelter during a nuclear attack is
Terrorist use of a nuclear device would
absolutely necessary. There are two kinds
probably be limited to a single smaller
of shelters blast and fallout.
 suitcase weapon. The strength of such
a weapon would be in the range of the Blast shelters offer some protection
bombs used during World War II. The against blast pressure, initial radiation,
nature of the effects would be the same as heat and fire, but even a blast shelter
a weapon delivered by an inter-continental could not withstand a direct hit from a
missile, but the area and severity of the nuclear detonation.
effects would be significantly more limited.
Fallout shelters do not need to be specially
constructed for that purpose. They can
There is no way of knowing how much
be any protected space, provided that the
warning time there would be before an
walls and roof are thick and dense enough
attack by a terrorist using a nuclear or
to absorb the radiation given off by fallout
radiological weapon. A surprise attack
particles. The three protective
remains a possibility.
factors of a fallout shelter are
The danger of a massive
shielding, distance, and time.
Most electronic
strategic nuclear attack on
" Shielding. The more heavy,
equipment
the United States involv-
dense materials thick walls,
within 1,000
ing many weapons receded
concrete, bricks, books and
with the end of the Cold War.
miles of a high-
earth between you and the
However, some terrorists have
altitude nuclear
fallout particles, the better.
been supported by nations
detonation could
" Distance. The more distance
that have nuclear weapons
be damaged by
between you and the fallout
programs.
EMP.
particles, the better. An under-
If there were threat of an
ground area, such as a home
attack from a hostile na-
or office building basement, of-
tion, people living near potential targets
fers more protection than the first floor
could be advised to evacuate or they could
of a building. A floor near the middle
decide on their own to evacuate to an area
of a high-rise may be better, depending
not considered a likely target. Protection
on what is nearby at that level on which
from radioactive fallout would require tak-
significant fallout particles would col-
ing shelter in an underground area, or in
lect. Flat roofs collect fallout particles
the middle of a large building.
so the top floor is not a good choice, nor
is a floor adjacent to a neighboring flat
In general, potential targets include:
roof.
" Strategic missile sites and military
" Time. Fallout radiation loses its inten-
bases.
sity fairly rapidly. In time, you will be
" Centers of government such as Wash-
able to leave the fallout shelter. Radio-
ington, D.C., and state capitals.
active fallout poses the greatest threat
" Important transportation and commu-
to people during the first two weeks, by
nication centers.
which time it has declined to about 1%
" Manufacturing, industrial, technology
of its initial radiation level.
and financial centers.
Remember that any protection, however
" Petroleum refineries, electrical power
temporary, is better than none at all, and
plants and chemical plants.
the more shielding, distance and time you
" Major ports and airfields.
can take advantage of, the better.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ARE YOU READY? 91
could be designated as shelters again.
Electromagnetic pulse
" Call your local emergency manage-
In addition to other effects, a nuclear
ment office.
weapon detonated in or above the earth s
" Look for yellow and black fallout
atmosphere can create an electromagnetic
shelter signs on public buildings.
pulse (EMP), a high-density electrical field.
Note: With the end of the Cold War,
EMP acts like a stroke of lightning but
many of the signs have been
is stronger, faster and briefer. EMP can
removed from the buildings previ-
seriously damage electronic devices con-
ously designated.
nected to power sources or antennas. This
" If no noticeable or official designa-
include communication systems, comput-
tions have been made, make your
ers, electrical appliances, and automobile
own list of potential shelters near
or aircraft ignition systems. The damage
your home, workplace and school:
could range from a minor interruption
basements, or the windowless center
to actual burnout of components. Most
area of middle floors in high-rise
electronic equipment within 1,000 miles of
buildings, as well as subways and
a high-altitude nuclear detonation could
tunnels.
be affected. Battery powered radios with
" Give your household clear instruc-
short antennas generally would not be af-
tions about where fallout shelters
fected.
are located and what actions to take
Although EMP is unlikely to harm most
in case of attack.
people, it could harm those with pacemak-
4. If you live in an apartment building or
ers or other implanted electronic devices.
high-rise, talk to the manager about
the safest place in the building for
sheltering, and about providing for
What to do before a nuclear or
building occupants until it is safe to
radiological attack
go out.
1. Learn the warning signals and all
5. There are few public shelters in many
sources of warning used in your com-
suburban and rural areas. If you are
munity. Make sure you know what the
considering building a fallout shelter at
signals are, what they mean, how they
home, keep the following in mind.
will be used, and what you should do if
" A basement, or any underground
you hear them.
area, is the best place to shelter from
2. Assemble and maintain a disaster sup-
fallout. Often, few major changes are
ply kit with food, water, medications,
needed, especially if the structure
fuel and personal items adequate for
has two or more stories and its base-
up to 2 weeks the more the better.
ment or one corner of it is below
(See the  Emergency Planning and
ground.
Disaster Supplies chapter for more
" Fallout shelters can be used for
information).
storage during non-emergency peri-
ods, but only store things there that
3. Find out what public buildings in your
can be very quickly removed. (When
community may have been designated
they are removed, dense, heavy
as fallout shelters. It may have been
items may be used to add to the
years ago, but start there, and learn
shielding.)
which buildings are still in use and
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
92 ARE YOU READY?
out. If you are close enough to see
" See the  Tornadoes section in the
the brilliant flash of a nuclear explo-
 Thunderstorms chapter for infor-
sion, the fallout will arrive in about
mation on the  Wind Safe Room,
20 minutes. Take shelter, even if you
which could be used as shelter in
are many miles from ground zero ra-
the event of a nuclear detonation or
dioactive fallout can be carried by the
for fallout protection, especially in a
winds for hundreds of miles. Remem-
home without a basement.
ber the three protective factors: shield-
" All the items you will need for your
ing, distance and time.
stay need not be stocked inside
the shelter itself but can be stored 4. Keep a battery-powered radio with
elsewhere, as long as you can move you, and listen for official information.
them quickly to the shelter. Follow the instructions given. Local
instructions should always take pre-
6. Learn about your community s evac-
cedence: officials on the ground know
uation plans. Such plans may include
the local situation best.
evacuation routes, relocation sites,
how the public will be notified and
transportation options for people who
What to do after a nuclear or
do not own cars and those who have
special needs. See the  Evacuation radiological attack
chapter for more information.
In a public or home shelter:
7. Acquire other emergency preparedness
1. Do not leave the shelter until officials
booklets that you may need. See the
say it is safe. Follow their instructions
 For More Information chapter at the
when leaving.
end of this guide.
2. If in a fallout shelter, stay in your shel-
ter until local authorities tell you it is
What to do during a nuclear or
permissible or advisable to leave. The
length of your stay can range from a
radiological attack
day or two to four weeks.
1. Do not look at the flash or fireball
" Contamination from a radiological
it can blind you.
dispersion device could affect a wide
2. If you hear an attack warning:
area, depending on the amount of
" Take cover as quickly as you can, conventional explosives used, the
BELOW GROUND IF POSSIBLE, and quantity of radioactive material and
stay there unless instructed to do atmospheric conditions.
otherwise.
" A  suitcase terrorist nuclear device
" If you are caught outside, unable to detonated at or near ground level
get inside immediately, take cover would produce heavy fallout from
behind anything that might offer the dirt and debris sucked up into
protection. Lie flat on the ground the mushroom cloud.
and cover your head.
" A missile-delivered nuclear weapon
" If the explosion is some distance from a hostile nation would probably
away, it could take 30 seconds or cause an explosion many times more
more for the blast wave to hit. powerful than a suitcase bomb, and
provide a greater cloud of radioactive
3. Protect yourself from radioactive fall-
fallout.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ARE YOU READY? 93
" The decay rate of the radioactive explosion, check first for any sign of
fallout would be the same, making it collapse or damage, such as:
necessary for those in the areas with
" toppling chimneys, falling bricks,
highest radiation levels to remain in
collapsing walls, plaster falling from
shelter for up to a month.
ceilings.
" The heaviest fallout would be limited
" fallen light fixtures, pictures and
to the area at or downwind from the
mirrors.
explosion, and 80% of the fallout
" broken glass from windows.
would occur during the first 24
hours.
" overturned bookcases, wall units or
" Because of these facts and the very other fixtures.
limited number of weapons terrorists
" fires from broken chimneys.
could detonate, most of the country
" ruptured gas and electric lines.
would not be affected by fallout.
3. Immediately clean up
" People in most of the
spilled medicines, drugs,
Learn how
areas that would be af-
flammable liquids, and other
fected could be allowed to build a
potentially hazardous mate-
to come out of shel-
temporary
rials.
ter and, if necessary,
fallout shelter to
evacuate to unaffected
4. Listen to your battery-pow-
protect yourself
areas within a few days.
ered radio for instructions
from radioactive
and information about com-
3. Although it may be dif-
fallout even if
munity services.
ficult, make every effort
you do not live
5. Monitor the radio and
to maintain sanitary
near a potential
your television for informa-
conditions in your shelter
nuclear target.
tion on assistance that may
space.
be provided. Local, state
4. Water and food may be
and federal governments and
scarce. Use them prudently but do not
other organizations will help meet
impose severe rationing, especially for
emergency needs and help you recover
children, the ill or elderly.
from damage and losses.
5. Cooperate with shelter managers. Liv-
6. The danger may be aggravated by
ing with many people in confined space
broken water mains and fallen power
can be difficult and unpleasant.
lines.
7. If you turned gas, water and electric-
ity off at the main valves and switch
Returning to your home
before you went to shelter:
1. Keep listening to the radio for news
" Do not turn the gas back on.
about what to do, where to go, and
The gas company will turn it back
places to avoid.
on for you or you will receive other
2. If your home was within the range of
instructions.
a bomb s shock wave, or you live in a
" Turn the water back on at the main
high-rise or other apartment building
valve only after you know the water
that experienced a non-nuclear
system is working and water is not
contaminated.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
94 ARE YOU READY?
" Turn electricity back on at the main
switch only after you know the wir- Homeland Security
ing is undamaged in your home and
the community electrical system is
Advisory System
functioning.
" Check to see that sewage lines
he Homeland Security Advisory Sys-
are intact before using sanitary
Ttem was designed to provide a com-
facilities.
prehensive means to disseminate infor-
8. Stay away from damaged areas.
mation regarding the risk of terrorist acts
to federal, state, and local authorities
9. Stay away from areas marked  radia-
and to the American people. This system
tion hazard or  HAZMAT.
provides warnings in the form of a set of
For more information relevant to terrorism
graduated  Threat Conditions that in-
consult the following chapters:
crease as the risk of the threat increases.
At each threat condition, federal depart-
" The  Earthquakes chapter for informa-
ments and agencies would implement a
tion about protecting yourself when a
corresponding set of  Protective Measures
building is shaking or unsafe and the
to further reduce vulnerability or increase
Fire chapter for tips on fire safety.
response capability during a period of
" The  Hazardous Materials Incidents
heightened alert.
chapter for information about sealing a
home.
" The  Emergency Planning and Disaster
Supplies chapter for information about
preparing a disaster supply kit.
Red
" The  Shelter chapter for measures
regarding water purification. Orange
" The  Evacuation chapter for informa-
Yellow
tion about evacuation procedures.
" The  Recovering from Disaster chapter
Blue
for information about crisis counseling.
Green
Although the Homeland Security Advi-
sory System is binding on the executive
branch, it is voluntary to other levels of
government and the private sector. There
are five threat conditions, each identified
by a description and corresponding color.
The greater the risk of a terrorist attack,
the higher the threat condition. Risk
includes both the probability of an at-
tack occurring and its potential gravity.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ARE YOU READY? 95
Threat conditions are assigned by the (see  Emergency Planning and Disas-
Attorney General in consultation with the ter Supplies chapter).
Assistant to the President for Homeland
Guarded Condition (Blue). This condi-
Security. Threat conditions may be as-
tion is declared when there is a general
signed for the entire nation, or they may
risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the
be set for a particular geographic area or
measures taken in the previous threat
industrial sector. Assigned threat condi-
condition, federal departments and agen-
tions will be reviewed at regular intervals
cies will consider the following protective
to determine whether adjustments are
measures:
warranted.
" Check communications with des-
ignated emergency response or com-
Threat Conditions and Associated Pro-
mand locations;
tective Measures
" Review and update emergency re-
There is always a risk of a terrorist
sponse procedures; and
threat. Each threat condition assigns a
" Provide the public with any infor-
level of alert appropriate to the increas-
mation that would strengthen its abil-
ing risk of terrorist attacks. Beneath
ity to act appropriately.
each threat condition are some suggested
protective measures that the government
Members of the public, in addition to
and the public can take, recognizing that
the actions taken for the previous threat
the heads of federal departments and
condition, can:
agencies are responsible for developing
" Update their disaster supply kit;
and implementing appropriate agency-
" Review their household disaster plan;
specific Protective Measures:
" Hold a household meeting to discuss
Low Condition (Green). This condition what members would do and how they
is declared when there is a low risk of would communicate in the event of an
terrorist attacks. Federal departments incident;
and agencies will consider the following
" Develop a more detailed household
protective measures.
communication plan;
" Refine and exercise prearranged pro-
" Apartment residents should discuss
tective measures;
with building managers steps to be
" Ensure personnel receive proper taken during an emergency; and
training on the Homeland Security
" People with special needs should
Advisory System and specific prear-
discuss their emergency plans with
ranged department or agency protec-
friends, family or employers.
tive measures; and
Elevated Condition (Yellow). An Elevated
" Institute a process to assure that all
Condition is declared when there is a sig-
facilities and regulated sectors are
nificant risk of terrorist attacks. In addi-
regularly assessed for vulnerabilities
tion to the measures taken in the previous
to terrorist attacks, and all reason-
threat conditions, federal departments
able measures are taken to mitigate
and agencies will consider the following
these vulnerabilities.
protective measures:
Members of the public can:
" Increase surveillance of critical
" Develop a household disaster plan
locations;
and assemble a disaster supply kit.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
96 ARE YOU READY?
" Coordinate emergency plans with " Review preparedness measures (in-
nearby jurisdictions as appropriate; cluding evacuation and sheltering) for
potential terrorist actions including
" Assess whether the precise characteri-
chemical, biological, and radiological
stics of the threat require the further
attacks;
refinement of prearranged protective
measures; and " Avoid high profile or symbolic loca-
tions; and
" Implement, as appropriate, contin-
gency and emergency response plans. " Exercise caution when traveling.
Severe Condition (Red). A Severe Con-
Members of the public, in addition to
dition reflects a severe risk of terrorist
the actions taken for the previous threat
attacks. Under most circumstances, the
condition, can:
protective measures for a Severe Condi-
" Be observant of any suspicious activity
tion are not intended to be sustained for
and report it to authorities;
substantial periods of time. In addition to
" Contact neighbors to discuss their
the protective measures in the previous
plans and needs;
threat conditions, federal departments
" Check with school officials to deter- and agencies also will consider the follow-
ing general measures:
mine their plans for an emergency and
procedures to reunite children with
" Increase or redirect personnel to ad-
parents and caregivers; and
dress critical emergency needs;
" Update the household communication
" Assign emergency response personnel
plan.
and pre-position and mobilize special-
ly trained teams or resources;
High Condition (Orange). A High Condi-
" Monitor, redirect, or constrain trans-
tion is declared when there is a high risk
portation systems; and
of terrorist attacks. In addition to the
" Close public and government facilities
measures taken in the previous threat
not critical for continuity of essential
conditions, federal departments and agen-
operations, especially pubic safety.
cies will consider the following protective
measures:
Members of the public, in addition to the
" Coordinate necessary security efforts
actions taken for the previous threat con-
with federal, state, and local law en-
ditions, can:
forcement agencies, National Guard or
" Avoid public gathering places such as
other security and armed forces;
sports arenas, holiday gatherings, or
" Take additional precautions at public
other high risk locations;
events, possibly considering alterna-
" Follow official instructions about re-
tive venues or even cancellation;
strictions to normal activities;
" Prepare to execute contingency proce-
" Contact employer to determine status
dures, such as moving to an alternate
of work;
site or dispersing the workforce; and
" Listen to the radio and TV for possible
" Restrict access to a threatened facility
advisories or warnings; and
to essential personnel only.
" Prepare to take protective actions such
Members of the public, in addition to the as sheltering-in-place or evacuation if
actions taken for the previous threat con- instructed to do so by public officials.
ditions, can:
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY