Chapter 39: Terrorism Response and Disaster Management

What is international terrorism

Thought to be inspired by, or associated with, designated foreign terrorist organizations of nations

What is domestic terrorism?

Inspired by ideologic goals concerning the terrorist’s own nation, such as political, religious, social, racial, or environmental beliefs

What is lone wolf terrorism defined as?

The deliberate creation and exploitation of fear through violence or threat of violence committed by a single actor wo pursues political change linked to formulated ideology, which his own or that or a larger organization, and who does not receive orders, direction, or material support from outside sources

Different kinds of weapons of mass destruction B-NICE

B: Biologic

N: Nuclear

I: Incendiary

C: Chemical

E: Explosive weapons

What is state-sponsored terrorism?

Nations that hold close ties with terrorist groups

How far should you stage your vehicle from the incident?

1 to 2 blocks

What can persistent or nonvolatile agents do?

Remain on a surface for long periods, usually longer than 24 hours

Nonpersistent, or volatile, agents evaporate relatively quickly when left on a surface in the optimal temp range

What are vesicants?

Blister agents

What is sulfur mustard (H)?

Mustard gas

Brown-yellow oily substance that is very persistent

A mutagen

What is a mutagen?

It mutates, damages, and changes the structures of cells

What do Lewisite (L) and phosgene oxime (CX) do?

Produce blister wounds similar to those caused by mustard gas

What does the chlorine do, what are the signs and symptoms of somebody that has been exposed?

First chemical agent ever used in warfare. Distinct odor of bleach and creates a green haze when released as a gas

Shortness of breath, tightness in chest, hoarseness and stridor as the result of upper airway constriction

Gasping and coughing

Blurred vision and lacrimation

What are G agents?

Sarin: has off-gassing effect. Vapors are continuously released over time

Soman: Twice as persistent and five times as lethal as sarin, fruity odor, irreversible binding (aging)

Tabun: much more persistent

V-agent (VX)

What are constricted pupils known as?

Miosis

What can possible medical treatment for a nerve agent include?

DuoDote Auto-Injector

What is cyanide?

Colorless gas that has an odor similar to that of bitter almonds

Begin on cellular level and are rapidly seen at the organ and system levels

What is dissemination?

Means by which a terrorist spreads the agent

What is a disease vector?

An animal that spreads disease, once infected, to another animal

What is incubation?

Time b/n the person becoming exposed to the agent and the appearance of the first symptoms

What are viral hemorrhagic fevers?

A group of diseases caused by viruses that include the Ebola

Causes the blood in the body to seep out from the tissues and blood vessels

What is anthrax?

Caused by deadly bacteria that lie dormant in a spore (protective shell)

What is the bubonic plague and what does it infect?

The lymphatic system

Patient’s lymph nodes (area of the lymphatic system where infection-fighting cells are housed) become infected with the bacteria and grow.

The glands of the nodes will grow large and round, forming buboes

What is botulinum?

Affects nervous system’s ability to function

What can ricin do to the body?

Causes pulmonary edema and respiratory and circulatory failure leading to death

What is syndromic surveillance

Monitoring, usually by local or state health department, or patients presenting to emergency department and alternative care facitilites

EMS call volume and use of over-the-counter medications

What are point of distribution?

Existing facilities that are used as mass distribution sites for antibiotics, antidotes, vaccinations, and other medications and supplies during an emergency

What is a radiologic dispersal device (RDD)

What is a dirty bomb

Any container that is designed to disperse radioactive material

Dirty bomb: Pairs the effects of an explosion with the effects of contamination

What are Special Atomic Demolition Munitions (SADM)?

“suitcase nuke”

Designed to destroy individual targets, such as important buildings, bridges, tunnels, and large ships