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Terrorism Home • Terrorism Basics • VDEM Terrorism Toolkit
Q: What should I do if someone threatens a terrorist action?
A: If you receive a threat:
After you've been notified of a threat:
Q: I've noticed suspicious activity at the house next door. Should I report what is going on?
A: Report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement authorities. If you suspect a crime is being, or is about to be committed, call 911. If the activity simply appears suspicious, call the police non-emergency number and be prepared to describe the activity in detail.
Q: What should I do if I see someone or something near my drinking water supply that looks suspicious?
A: Contact your local law enforcement authorities, or 911, to report a suspicious event, or if you witness a perceived terrorist activity. The more facts you can provide, the quicker the response time will be. Be prepared to provide detailed information.
Q: What should I do if I find a suspicious substance?
A: Follow these steps:
Q: What should I do if I receive suspicious mail?
A: Report any suspicious mail to local authorities and take the following precautions:
If you haven't touched the suspicious item:
If you are holding the suspicious item:
Q: There has been an explosion of some kind. There are terrible injuries and no ambulance has arrived. What should I do? I don't know basic first aid.
A: Do not approach the scene or remain in the area unless advised to do so by your local authorities. Following an explosion there is always the possibility of a second device designed to injure or kill first responders or bystanders. In addition, you will not be able to determine whether biological, chemical or nuclear materials were used in the explosive device. If you enter the scene before authorities have determined it is safe and proper precautions have been taken you could become another victim.
You should:
Basic first aid steps, recommended by the Red Cross:
Q: What should I do if I'm in an area where a biological or chemical weapon is used?
A: Leave the area immediately, covering your mouth and nose with available material such as a napkin, cloth or newspaper.
Q: What should I do following a terrorist attack?
A: Listen to your local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio or television station for information and instruction. If you are in a safe area, do not leave that area unless advised to do so by local officials.
If an attack occurs near you:
Q: If there's an explosion what should I do?
A: Following an explosion leave the area immediately if you can. In a building explosion locate the nearest emergency exit and get out of the building as quickly and calmly as possible.
If there is a fire:
If you are trapped in debris:
If you are in the immediate area, yet not incapacitated by the explosion you should:
Q: Why won't the police let me check on my family and pets?
A: There may be a delayed explosion from a "secondary device." Terrorists use a variety of distraction techniques such as small explosions to attract attention and crowds. Once an audience of bystanders and emergency responders has assembled, a larger, more powerful explosion may be detonated. Stay clear of the immediate area where the detonation occurred.
Bombs or explosive materials that have not completely detonated are extremely dangerous. Fragmented pieces of sensitive material may be scattered throughout the incident site after an incomplete explosion. Any shock, impact or heating of the materials may cause the material to explode. Do not touch anything.
If other agents such as biological, radiological or chemical agents were part of the explosive device the scene may be contaminated. The scene should not be entered until appropriate monitoring is in place.
There will soon be numerous personnel at the site and the site will be handled as a crime scene. A crime scene is full of evidence, some of which is very small. Extra care should be taken to insure that evidence is not moved or destroyed.
Q: What does it mean to evacuate?
A: In an emergency, "to evacuate" means to leave, withdraw or depart from a place or area as a protective measure. Local, state or federal authorities may decide to evacuate an area for your protection when disaster threatens. When this decision is made they will issue an evacuation order. This order will tell you when you need to leave your home or area.
Listen to your local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio and television station when disaster threatens for detailed information and instruction.
Q: If I'm told to evacuate, what should I do?
A: If you are told to evacuate immediately:
You can do the following, only if you are sure you have extra time:
Q: Are there any special precautions I should take while driving to the shelter?
A: Yes, make sure that you:
Q: If a terrorist attack occurs during the day my children will most likely be in school. How will I be able to take care of them?
A: In an emergency, your children may be sheltered in place or evacuated from school. Do not go to the school. School personnel are trained to handle emergencies.
Q: Are there any bomb shelters I can go to if there is an emergency?
A: There is no listing of bomb shelters or civil defense shelters in any community in Virginia. After 1970, most of the existing shelters were either closed or not replaced. There may be private shelters in office buildings, churches, schools or houses, but they are not listed. There are numerous guidelines available for building "safe rooms" traditionally used for protection against tornadoes and hurricanes. These plans are available on the FEMA web site at www.fema.gov/mit/saferoom. Some books on the subject were also printed in the 1980s by FEMA and there are a number of plans available from private businesses and nonprofit groups. These can be accessed on the Internet using a search engine of your choice.
Q: I don't know of any evacuation procedure set up for my area. How can I find out if we have one?
A: Check with your local emergency management office. (NOTE: Provide local emergency numbers if available).
Q: I'm in a wheelchair, I don't drive and I live alone. What should I do if we're told to evacuate?
A: Check with your local emergency management office to find out about special needs notification procedures. (NOTE: Provide local emergency numbers if available).
Q: What does "shelter in place" mean?
A: "Shelter in place" means to stay indoors – in homes, schools, businesses or public buildings during an emergency incident. Sheltering in place may be used when there is little time to react to an incident – where it would be more dangerous to be outside attempting to evacuate than to remain where you are.
Q: How will I know when to shelter in place?
A: In the event of a major emergency, local authorities will notify you if you are to shelter in place. They will notify you by one of several methods:
Prior to an emergency, you can check with your local emergency manager to find out what notification system your locality will use to alert citizens to an emergency.
Q: What should I do when I'm instructed to shelter in place?
A: When local officials instruct you to shelter in place, you should do the following:
Q: Why was I emotionally affected by the recent terrorist event?
A: A traumatic experience produces emotional shock and may cause emotional problems.
Emotional effects are felt most strongly by those closest to tragic events such as victims, family members, friends, rescue workers, emergency medical and mental health care providers and eyewitnesses. However, sudden, unexpected tragedies can emotionally affect a wide range of people.
After a terrorist event of great magnitude, you may experience some of the same feelings that families of victims' experience. Fear and anger can also be heightened following a terrorist event because we often don't know who attacked us, why they attacked or why we do not always know how to respond.
Q: How can I be emotionally prepared to deal with a terrorist incident?
A: Nothing in life can prepare you for the horror of an act of terrorism that robs you of your sense of security and, in some instances, a loved one. No one ever expects such a thing to happen because violent crime is an abnormal event. Terrorism is even more rare. One cannot emotionally prepare for such an event.
Q: Are my reactions to the terrorist incident normal?
A: It is difficult to define normal or abnormal reactions to terrorist incidents. Each of us copes with a catastrophic incident in our own unique way. Normal reactions can include a wide range of powerful feelings that may feel abnormal to the person having them or seem strange to those who have not gone through such a disaster.
Some of your reactions could include:
Q: How long will it be before I feel normal again?
A: We cannot predict when your life will feel normal again following a catastrophic event. Grief and loss are normal and universal human reactions, and each of us copes with loss in our own way and in our own time.
Most people who directly experience a major trauma have severe problems immediately afterwards. Some people recover immediately and many people feel much better soon within a few months of the event. Others recover more slowly. Some do not recover without help.
Q: How will I know if I'm becoming suicidal?
A: If you feel overwhelmed by your emotions and think you may hurt yourself or others, immediately ask for support and guidance from family, friends, clergy or a professional counselor. For crisis counseling, contact the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Victim Assistance Center at 1-800-331-0075, or your local medical provider.
Danger signals to watch for include:
Q: I don't want to hurt myself, but I feel overwhelmed. I think I need help. What should I do?
A: Take time to grieve and cry if you need to. Do not act like things are fine when they are not.
Healing begins by talking about what happened with people you trust.
Coping is easier when people support each other. Ask for support and help from your family, friends, church or other community resources. Join or develop support groups.
Some people find it helpful to talk with a professional counselor who has worked with other survivors. Talking with other victims of violent crime may also help you feel better understood and less alone.
Q: How can I find professional help or just someone to talk to?
A: To seek professional help, call your doctor or look in the phone book for listings under local mental health services or Department of Health Services. Health professionals will be listed under counseling, psychologists, social workers, psychotherapists, social and human services or mental health.
Q: Is there anything I can do to help myself heal emotionally?
A: There are some basic actions you can take that may help you cope:
Q: My family wasn't directly affected by the terrorist attack, but we're still having trouble coping. What can I do?
A: Acknowledge feelings of fear, anger and grief. Talk with others about the tragedy and your feelings. Resume normal routines as soon as possible.
Talk with your children and assure them that they are safe and protected. Limit television watching. Don't allow children to view the repetitive scenes of destruction over which they have no control.
Participate in community ceremonies. Draw strength from your spiritual or religious beliefs and traditions.
Contribute in some way to rescue work and rebuilding efforts through donations of time, money or other assistance to victims and their families.
Q: If a terrorist incident happens in my neighborhood, whom do I call?
A: Listen to your Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio or television station for the latest information.
Dial 911 or EMS numbers only for a life-threatening emergency.
Q: Will authorities let me know if terrorist weapons are used?
A: Yes, in the event of a public health emergency, local and state health departments will inform the public about the actions you need to take. As soon as the circumstances are understood, these officials will call news conferences to convey accurate information and instructions to the public. Additional news conferences will be called as frequently as possible to update the public. In a genuine disaster, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) would be employed to give instructions to citizens.
Q: How will I be notified if there is a terrorist action?
A: In the event of a major emergency, authorities will get your attention in at least one of several ways. There will be announcements over your local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio or television stations, a siren could sound, you may be called by telephone, emergency personnel may drive by and give instructions over a loudspeaker or officials could come to your door.
Q: If I listen to the local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio or television station, what kind of information will be given about a terrorist attack?
A: Listen for information on:
Q: Before we lost power, we were instructed to stay tuned to the local radio station. I don't have a battery-operated radio. How can I find out what's happening in my community?
A: Find a neighbor with a radio, check your car radio or telephone your emergency management office. Do not leave a safe area to find a radio or phone.
Q: Is there a radio or television station in my area that will keep me updated during a disaster?
A: Please wait a moment while I look it up for you. (NOTE: Check list of local Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcast stations, if available.)
Q: How will I know if I shouldn't drink my water?
A: Your water supplier is required by law to notify you if your water doesn't meet EPA or state standards or if there is a waterborne disease emergency. They will notify you by newspaper, mail, radio, TV or hand delivery.