Chapter 41 Terrorism Response and Disaster Managment

international terrorism

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

domestic terrorism

Terrorism that is carried out by people in their own country

lone wolf terrorist attack

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

active shooter event

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

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)

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)

B-NICE

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

weaponization

The creation of a weapon from a biologic agent that is 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

state-sponsored terrorism

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

covert

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

secondary device

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

cross-contamination

Contamination of a person by an agent as a result of coming in contact with another contaminated person

persistency

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

volatility

How long a chemical agent will stay on a surface before it evaporate

route of exposure

The manner by which a toxic substance enters the body

vapor hazard

The danger posed by an agent that enters the body through the respiratory tract

contact hazard

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

vesicants

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

sulfur mustard (H)

A vesicant; a brown-yellow oily substance that is generally considered very persistent. It 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

lewisite (L)

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

phosgene oxime (CX)

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

mutagen

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

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.

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

nerve agents

A class of chemicals that include organophosphates; they function by blocking an essential enzyme in the nervous system, which causes the body’s organs to become overstimulated and burn out

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

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.

off-gassing

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

soman (GD)

A nerve agent that is one of the G agents; it is 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

aging

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

tabun (GA)

A nerve agent that is one of the G agents; it is 36 times more persistent than sarin and approximately one-half as lethal. It 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.

V agent (VX)

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

miosis

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

DuoDote Auto-Injector

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

Antidote Treatment Nerve Agent Auto-Injector (ATNAA)

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

cyanide

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

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

disease vector

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

contagious

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

incubation

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

viruses

Germs that require a living host to multiply and survive.

smallpox

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

viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF)

A group of diseases caused by 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

bacteria

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

anthrax

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

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

lymphatic system

A passive circulatory system in the body that transports a plasma-like 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

buboes

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

pneumonic plague

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

neurotoxins

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

botulinum

A neurotoxin produced by bacteria, and the most potent neurotoxin known. When introduced into the body, it affects the nervous system’s ability to function and causes botulism.

ricin

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

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

points of distribution

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

ionizing radiation

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

radioactive material

Any material that emits radiation

decay

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

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

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.

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.

neutron radiation

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

radiologic dispersal devices (RDDs)

Any container that is designed to disperse radioactive material

dirty bomb

An explosive radiologic dispersal device

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

pulmonary blast injuries

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