EMT Chapter 41 (Terrorism Response & Disaster Management)

Active shooter event

An act of terror in which firearms are used in an ongoing assault of multiple people.

Aging

The process by which the temporary bond between the organophosphate and acetylcholinesterase undergoes hydrolysis, resulting in a permanent covalent bond.

Alpha radiation

A type of energy that is emitted from a strong radiologic source; it is the least harmful penetrating type of radiation and cannot travel more than a few inches or penetrate most objects.

Anthrax

A disease caused by deadly bacteria (Bacillus anthracis) that lay dormant in a spore (protective shell); the germ is released from the spore when exposed to the optimal temperature and moisture. The routes of entry are inhalation, cutaneous, and gastrointestinal (from consuming food that contains spores).

Antidote Treatment Nerve Agent Auto-Injector (ATNAA)

A nerve agent antidote kit containing atropine and pralidoxime chloride; delivered as a singe dose through one needle.

Bacteria

Microorganisms that reproduce by binary fission. These single-cell creatures reproduce rapidly. Some can form spores (encysted variants) when environmental conditions are harsh.

Beta radiation

A type of energy that is emitted from a strong radiologic source; it is slightly more penetrating than alpha radiation and requires a layer of clothing to stop it.

B-NICE

A memory device to recall the types of weapons of mass destruction: biologic, nuclear, incendiary, chemical, and explosive.

Botulinum

Produced by bacteria, this is the most potent neurotoxin known. When introduced into the body, this neurotoxin affects the nervous system's ability to function and causes botulism.

Buboes

Enlarged lymph nodes (up to the size of a tennis ball) that were characteristic in people infected with the bubonic plague.

Bubonic plague

Bacterial infection that affects the lymphatic system. It is transmitted by infected rodents and fleas and characterized by acute malaise, fever, and the formation of tender, enlarged, inflamed lymph nodes that appear as lesions, called buboes. Also called the Black Death.

Chlorine (Cl)

The first chemical agent ever used in warfare. It has a distinct odor of bleach and creates a green haze when released as a gas. Initially it produces upper airway irritation and a choking sensation.

Contact hazard

The term used to describe danger posed by a chemical whose primary route of entry into the body is through the skin; posed by a hazardous agent that gives off very little or no vapors; also called a skin hazard.

Contagious

An infectious disease that spreads from one human to another; communicable.

Covert

An act in which the public safety community generally has no prior knowledge of the time, location, or nature of the attack.

Cross-contamination

Occurs when a person is contaminated by an agent as a result of coming into contact with another contaminated person.

Cyanide

An agent that affects the body's ability to use oxygen. It is a colorless gas that has an odor similar to almonds. The effects begin on the cellular level and are very rapidly seen at the organ and system levels.

Decay

A natural process in which a material that is unstable attempts to stabilize itself by changing its structure.

Dirty bomb

Name given to an explosive radiologic dispersal device.

Disease vector

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

Dissemination

The means by which a terrorist will spread an agent, for example, by poisoning the water supply or aerosolizing the agent into the air or ventilation system of a building.

Domestic terrorism

Terrorism that is carried out by people in their own country.

DuoDote Auto-Injector

A nerve agent antidote kit containing atropine and pralidoxime chloride; delivered as a single dose through one needle.

G agents

Early nerve agents that were developed by German scientists in the period after World War I and into World War II. There are three such agents: sarin, soman, and tabun.

Gamma (x-ray) radiation

A type of energy that is emitted from a strong radiologic source that travels faster and has more energy than alpha and beta rays. These rays easily penetrate through the human body and require lead or several inches of concrete to prevent penetration.

Incubation

The period of time between a person being exposed to an agent to the first time when symptoms appear.

International terrorism

Terrorism that is carried out by people in a country other than their own; also known as cross-border terrorism.

Ionizing radiation

Energy that is emitted in the form of rays, or particles.

Lewisite (L)

A blistering agent that has a rapid onset of symptoms and produces immediate, intense pain and discomfort on contact.

Lone wolf terrorist attack

An act of terror carried out by a single person to further an ideological goal.

Lymphatic system

A passive circulatory system in the body that transports a plasmalike liquid called lymph, a thin fluid that bathes the tissues of the body.

Lymph nodes

The area of the lymphatic system where infection-fighting cells are housed.

Miosis

Excessively constricted pupil; often bilateral after exposure to nerve agents.

Mutagen

A substance that mutates, damages, and changes the structures of DNA in the body's cells.

Nerve agents

A class of chemical called organophosphates; they function by blocking an essential enzyme in the nervous system, which causes the body's organs to become overstimulated and burn out.

Neurotoxins

Biologic agents that are the most deadly substances known to humans; they include botulinum toxin and ricin.

Neutron radiation

The type of energy that is emitted from a strong radiologic source; neutron particles are among the most powerful forms of radiation. Neutrons easily penetrate through lead and require several feet of concrete to stop them.

Off-gassing

The release of an agent after exposure, for example from a person's clothes that have been exposed to the agent.

Pandemic

An outbreak that occurs on a global scale.

Persistency

How long a chemical agent will stay on a surface before it evaporates.

Phosgene

A pulmonary agent that is a product of combustion, resulting from a fire at a textile factory or house or from metalwork or burning Freon. It is a very potent agent that has a delayed onset of symptoms, usually hours.

Phosgene oxime (CX)

A blistering agent that has a rapid onset of symptoms and produces immediate, intense pain and discomfort on contact.

Pneumonic plague

A lung infection, also known as plague pneumonia, that is the result of inhalation of plague-causing bacteria.

Points of distribution (PODs)

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

Primary blast injury

Injuries caused by an explosive pressure wave on the hollow organs of the body.

Pulmonary blast injuries

Pulmonary trauma resulting from short-range exposure to the detonation of high-energy explosives.

Quaternary blast injury

A blast injury that falls into one of the following categories: burns, crush injuries, toxic inhalation, medical emergencies, or mental health disorders.

Radioactive material

Any material that emits radiation.

Radiologic dispersal device (RDD)

Any container that is designed to disperse radioactive material.

Ricin

A neurotoxin derived from mash that is left from the castor bean; causes pulmonary edema and respiratory and circulatory failure leading to death.

Route of exposure

The manner by which a toxic substance enters the body.

Sarin (GB)

A nerve agent that is one of the G agents; a highly volatile colorless and odorless liquid that turns from liquid to gas within seconds to minutes at room temperature.

Secondary blast injury

A penetrating or nonpenetrating injury caused by ordnance projectiles or secondary missiles.

Secondary device

A secondary explosive used by terrorists, set to explode after the initial bomb.

Smallpox

A highly contagious viral disease; it is most contagious when blisters begin to form.

Soman (GD)

A nerve agent that is one of the G agents; twice as persistent as sarin and five times as lethal; it has a fruity odor, as a result of the type of alcohol used in the agent, and is a contact and an inhalation hazard that can enter the body through skin absorption and through the respiratory tract.

Special Atomic Demolition Munitions (SADM)

Small suitcase-sized nuclear weapons that were designed to destroy individual targets, such as important buildings, bridges, tunnels, and large ships.

State-sponsored terrorism

Terrorism that is funded and/or supported by nations that hold close ties with terrorist groups.

Sulfur mustard (H)

A vesicant; it is a brownish, yellowish oily substance that is generally considered very persistent; has the distinct smell of garlic or mustard and, when released, is quickly absorbed into the skin and/or mucous membranes and begins an irreversible process of damaging the cells. Also called mustard gas.

Syndromic surveillance

The monitoring, usually by local or state health departments, of patients presenting to emergency departments and alternative care facilities, the recording of EMS call volume, and the use of over-the-counter medications.

Tabun (GA)

A nerve agent that is one of the G agents; is 36 times more persistent than sarin and approximately half as lethal; has a fruity smell and is unique because the components used to manufacture the agent are easy to acquire and the agent is easy to manufacture.

Tertiary blast injury

An injury from whole body displacement and subsequent traumatic impact with environmental objects.

V agent (VX)

One of the G agents; it is a clear, oily agent that has no odor and looks like baby oil; more than 100 times more lethal than sarin and is extremely persistent.

Vapor hazard

The term used to describe danger posed by an agent that enters the body through the respiratory tract.

Vesicants

Blister agents; the primary route of entry for vesicants is through the skin.

Viral hemorrhagic fevers

A group of diseases caused by viruses that include the Ebola, Rift Valley, and yellow fevers, among others. This group of viruses causes the blood in the body to seep out from the tissues and blood vessels.

Viruses

Germs that require a living host to multiply and survive.

Volatility

How long a chemical agent will stay on a surface before it evaporates.

Weaponization

The creation of a weapon from a biologic agent generally found in nature and that causes disease; the agent is cultivated, synthesized, and/or mutated to maximize the target population's exposure to the germ.

Weapon of mass casualty (WMC)

Any agent designed to bring about mass death, casualties, and/or massive damage to property and infrastructure (bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports); also known as a weapon of mass destruction (WMD).

Weapon of mass destruction (WMD)

Any agent designed to bring about mass death, casualties, and/or massive damage to property and infrastructure (bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports); also known as a weapon of mass casualty (WMC).