A very small amount of a chemical or biological agent has the potential to kill thousands of people if disseminated in an effective manner, and there may be little we can do to prevent its rapid spread. The outcome of a terrorist attack may well depend on how thoroughly emergency responders at all levels plan and train to deal with terrorist events. The underlying mission of this book is to present the idea to emergency responders that chemical, biological, nuclear, explosive, and incendiary agents are hazardous materials. Responding to hazardous materials releases is not unlike responding to acts of terrorism. In fact, a terrorist response is a combination of a mass casualty incident, technical rescue incident, hazardous materials incident, and crime scene rolled into one.
Acts of terrorism are hazardous materials incidents.
Responders will still need to exercise recognition and identification procedures, enforce scene security, establish isolation zones and perimeters, wear proper protective equipment, and implement decontamination procedures. When dealing with acts of terrorism, there are new recognition and identification tools, advanced equipment technologies, and additional players involved on the scene of an incident. However, it is still a hazardous materials response at the local level. If emergency responders are prepared to deal with releases of hazardous materials, they can also deal effectively with chemical and biological agents. What will be required is additional planning, procedures, equipment, and training.