Terrorism

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Terrorism Bioterrorism Communication Challenges

• Module 9

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FBIs Definition of Terrorism

• A terrorist incident is a violent act or an act
  dangerous to human life, in violation of the
  criminal laws of the United States, or of any
  state, to intimidate or coerce a government, the
  civilian population, or any segment thereof, in
  furtherance of political or social objectives.

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Federal Agencies

• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Lead agency for crisis management
• Responsible for criminal investigation
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Lead agency for consequence management

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Department of Health Human Services

• Crisis management
• Supports threat assessment, epidemiologic
  investigation and technical advice
• may include agent identification, sample
  collection and analysis, onsite safety activities
• Consequence management
• Mass immunization/prophylaxis
• Mass fatality management
• Strategic National Stockpile

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The Weapons of a Terrorist

• BNICE
• Biological
• Nuclear
• Incendiary
• Chemical
• Explosives

• CBRNE
• Chemical
• Biological
• Radiological
• Nuclear
• Explosives

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Terrorist Incidents

• 86 are bombings
• Most events are either instantaneous or of a
  fairly short duration
• Most are identifiable at the time of occurrence
• Bioterrorism is different

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Bioterrorism

• Bioterrorism is the intentional release of
  potentially deadly bacteria, viruses, or toxins
  into the air, food, or water supply.
• Inexpensive and easy to produce
• Effect large number of persons
• Can exhaust resources for a long period of time
• Hard to trace perpetrator

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Bioterrorism vs. Pandemic Flu

• An effective weapon would be communicable, like
  flu
• Both could cause a large number of illnesses and
  deaths
• Both could disrupt major aspects of society
• Origin does it matter to healthcare?
• Bioterrorism many patient zeros
• Pandemic could have one initial source

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FEAR!

• Which causes more fear? Why?
• Naturally occurring event
• Accident
• Terrorism

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Communicating in a Health Crisis

• Establish a Joint Information Center (JIC) if
  necessary
• Confine comments to your specialty
• Clear all comments with FBI/LE if terrorism
• Use risk communication principles
• Question Anticipation 27-9-3 Rule T-T-T Model
• Keep the public informed, up-to-date
• Get a jump on the story
• Deal with rumors
• Be truthful
• Tell people how to protect themselves

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Strategic National Stockpile

• SNS consists of multiple, comprehensive packages
  of drugs, vaccines, medical supplies and
  equipment
• Located at 12 sites around the U.S.
• Will arrive within 12 hours of request approval

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Strategic National Stockpile

• 12-hour Push-Package
• Arrives in 100 specialized cargo containers via
• Wide-body aircraft (747 or 767) or
• 7 tractor-trailers
• Weight is 50 tons, requires 5,000 sq.ft. of space
• Designed to treat 1 million people

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12 Hour Push Pack
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Question

• What are the communication challenges posed by
  the deployment of the SNS?