A terrorist attack could be potentially as low tech as a shoe bomb or a well thought out plan such as the hijacking of aircraft that caused the 9/11 attacks in New York. The wide spectrum of hazards for a terrorist event range from Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), explosives, and a combination of hazards (WMD with an explosion of a factory or facility with harmful chemicals). Federal and State laws have ensured that hazardous chemicals and items that are transported or produced are properly labeled and transported so as not to affect the public. In addition to labeling these hazards it is key to have First Responders and the public have a general understanding of what these labels mean and how to ensure they protect themselves from the hazards.
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In the event of a CBRN hazard the First Responders would need adequate personal protective equipment to protect their clothing from exposure and respirators high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2002).Another hazard to First Responders that would pose a risk would be explosives and secondary devices. The delivery for these could be low tech devices and the terrorists could attack infrastructure that is key to a population (important buildings, banks, hospitals, factories). WMDs could be used via aerosol devices (sprayers), or if a container of a chemical is broken (tank at a factory etc). The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has devised a voluntary marking system to alert firefighters to the characteristics of hazardous materials stored in stationary tanks and facilities. The system is known as NFPA 704 and uses diamond shaped placards with blue, red, yellow and white to denote different levels of hazards for each category. Blue denotes the hazards to health with a number system from least to most severe, red denotes a fire hazard, yellow is an …show more content…
This would ensure First Responders know how to treat a scene, protect themselves and the public in the event of a hazardous material exposure due to a terrorist attack. WMD pose a great risk depending on the hazard used and there is a potential risk for large amount of casualties. Proper training for Emergency First Responders to identify hazards is key, proper equipment for First Responders and Civilians having some knowledge of hazardous materials could save lives or even prevent further
In the event of a CBRN hazard the First Responders would need adequate personal protective equipment to protect their clothing from exposure and respirators high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2002).Another hazard to First Responders that would pose a risk would be explosives and secondary devices. The delivery for these could be low tech devices and the terrorists could attack infrastructure that is key to a population (important buildings, banks, hospitals, factories). WMDs could be used via aerosol devices (sprayers), or if a container of a chemical is broken (tank at a factory etc). The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has devised a voluntary marking system to alert firefighters to the characteristics of hazardous materials stored in stationary tanks and facilities. The system is known as NFPA 704 and uses diamond shaped placards with blue, red, yellow and white to denote different levels of hazards for each category. Blue denotes the hazards to health with a number system from least to most severe, red denotes a fire hazard, yellow is an …show more content…
This would ensure First Responders know how to treat a scene, protect themselves and the public in the event of a hazardous material exposure due to a terrorist attack. WMD pose a great risk depending on the hazard used and there is a potential risk for large amount of casualties. Proper training for Emergency First Responders to identify hazards is key, proper equipment for First Responders and Civilians having some knowledge of hazardous materials could save lives or even prevent further