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VDEM Terrorism Toolkit
Weapons of Mass Destruction > Incendiary Devices
Description
Q: What are incendiary devices?
A: Incendiary devices are firebombs. These devices range from the simple Molotov cocktail (bottle, gasoline, rag, match), to much larger and sophisticated bombs. They may include napalm or any large container filled with flammable fluids and ignited by some sort of fuse.
Q: What can incendiary devices do?
A: Incendiary devices are capable of causing loss of life and property damage from fire. Incendiary devices are also used to generate panic.
Q: Are these devices considered terrorist weapons?
A: Yes, they can be used in terrorist attacks; however, the use of incendiary devices is difficult to classify as terrorism. Incidents are often misidentified as arson, insurance fraud or other non-terrorist criminal activity.
Q: When have terrorists used incendiary devices?
A: Terrorists have used incendiary devices for many years. The Irish Republican Army's (IRA) use of incendiary devices throughout Europe is one example.
Symptoms
Q: What should I expect my community to be like following an attack?
A: Depending on the severity of the attack there are many things that could happen in your community:
- There could be significant numbers of casualties.
- There could be significant damage to buildings and the infrastructure.
- Health and mental health resources in the affected communities can be strained to the limits, maybe even overwhelmed.
- There could be heavy law enforcement involvement at local, state and federal levels due to the event's criminal nature.
- Workplaces and schools may be closed, and there may be restrictions on domestic and international travel.
- You may have to evacuate an area.
- Clean up may take months. Public fear can continue for a prolonged period.
Terrorist threat
Q: What should I do if someone threatens a terrorist action?
A: If you receive a threat:
- Get as much information from the caller as possible.
- Keep the caller on the line and document everything that is said.
- Notify the police and if applicable, building management.
- After you've been notified of a threat:
- Do not touch any suspicious packages.
- Clear the area and notify the police immediately.
- Avoid standing in front of windows or other potentially hazardous areas.
- Do not block sidewalks or streets to be used by emergency officials.
Q: I've noticed suspicious activity at the house next door. Should I call someone and report what is going on?
A: Report any suspicious activity to local 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.
Do not put yourself at risk.
Q: What should I do if I receive suspicious mail?
A: Follow these steps:
- Don't touch the suspicious item, if you haven't already.
- Don't open a suspicious envelope or package. Don't shake or empty the contents of a package or envelope.
- Alert those around you of the suspicious package.
- Leave the room and close the door or close off the area to prevent others from entering.
- Report suspicious mail or packages to local law enforcement officials and building management if applicable.
Medical response
Q: It appears an explosion of some sort has happened in town. I'm on the scene calling from my cell phone. 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 explosion. Do not enter the scene until appropriate precautions are taken and local authorities have determined it is safe. Meanwhile you can:
- Call for medical assistance.
- Tune in to your local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio or television station for information.
If you are advised that it is safe to remain in the area, check victims for unconsciousness and life-threatening situations. Someone who has a life-threatening condition such as not breathing or severe bleeding requires immediate care by trained responders.
Seek medical assistance or ask if someone is trained in first aid procedure. If trained help is not available and you provide assistance, remember to protect yourself while administering first aid.
Avoid direct contact with blood and other body fluids. If possible, use protective equipment, such as disposable gloves.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after giving care.
You should:
- Call for medical assistance.
- Listen to your local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio or television station for information and instruction.
When you are advised that it is safe to remain in the area, check victims for unconsciousness and life-threatening situations. Someone who has a life-threatening condition such as not breathing or severe bleeding requires immediate care by trained responders.
- Seek medical assistance or ask if someone is trained in first aid procedure.
If trained help is not available and you provide assistance, remember to protect yourself while administering first aid.
- Avoid direct contact with blood and other body fluids. If possible, use protective equipment, such as disposable gloves.
- Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water immediately after giving care.
Basic first aid steps, recommended by the Red Cross:
- Control bleeding
- Cover the wound with a dressing, and press firmly against the wound (direct pressure).
- Elevate injured areas above the level of the heart, if you do not suspect that the victim has a broken bone.
- Cover the dressing with a roller bandage.
- If the bleeding does not stop apply additional dressings and bandages and using a pressure point squeeze the artery against the bone.
- Care for shock:
- Keep the victim from getting chilled or overheated.
- Elevate the legs about 12 inches (if broken bones are not suspected).
- Do not give food or drink to the victim.
- Tend burns:
- Stop the burning by cooling the burn with large amounts of water.
- Cover the burn with dry, clean dressing or cloth.
- Care for injuries to muscles, bones and joints:
- Rest the injured part.
- Avoid any movement or activity that causes pain.
- If you must move the victim because the scene is becoming unsafe, try to immobilize the injured part to keep it from moving.
- Administer CPR:
- If you have training, administer CPR to someone who stops breathing and has no pulse, or locate someone else who can administer CPR.
Protective actions
Q: What can I do to protect myself against incendiary devices?
A: Always be aware of your surroundings. As with normal fire precautions, particularly inside buildings, note escape routes. Note suspicious individuals and report them to authorities.
Q: If an incendiary attack occurs, what should I do?
A: Treat the incident as a major fire. Get as far away from the detonation site as possible. If you are indoors, use normal emergency evacuation procedures. Get out of the structure as quickly as you can, safely. A major fire can spread easily.
In a building explosion:
- Locate the emergency exit and get out of the building quickly.
- Stay low to the floor and cover nose and mouth with a wet cloth.
- When approaching a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the lower, middle and upper parts of the door. If it is not hot, brace yourself against the door and open it slowly. If it is hot to the touch, DO NOT open the door – seek an alternate escape route.
- Stay below the smoke at all times. Smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling.
If you are trapped in debris:
- If you can walk, try to find an escape route. Some walls are thin enough to be punched through with items such as chairs. Often, ceiling panels can be removed, providing access to adjacent rooms.
- Tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where you are. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort—shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
- Use a flashlight if needed. Do not turn on light switches or light a match or candle.
If you are in the immediate area, yet not incapacitated by the explosion you should:
- Seek medical assistance for seriously injured people.
- Wait for emergency personnel to arrive. Do not enter damaged buildings. Do not attempt to rescue people who are inside a collapsed building unless you are trained to do so.
- Follow the advice of local emergency officials. Listen to your local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio or television station for information and instruction.
- Check for damage using a flashlight. Do not light matches or candles or turn on electrical switches. Check for fire, fire hazards and other household hazards. Sniff for gas leaks. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly. Shut off any other damaged utilities.
- Confine or secure your pets.
- Call a pre-determined family contact if possible. Do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
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 site 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.
Evacuation
Q: If I'm asked to evacuate, what should I do?
A: Authorities may decide to evacuate an area for your protection. If you are asked to evacuate, listen to your Emergency Alert System (EAS) station for detailed information.
- Make sure the evacuation order applies to you.
- Find out if you need to evacuate immediately or if you have time to pack some essentials.
- Find out where you need to go and what route to take.
- Do not use your telephone, as the lines should be kept open for life-threatening situations.
Q: If I'm told to leave my home or office immediately? What should I take with me?
A: If you are told to evacuate immediately:
- Check on neighbors to make sure they have been notified, and offer help to those with disabilities or other special needs. If you need a ride, as a neighbor. If no neighbor is available to help you, listen to your local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio or television station for further instructions.
- Locate and keep your disaster supplies kit with you. (See also workplace disaster supplies kit.) Make sure you have an adequate supply of water. Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy shoes, hats, gloves and eyeglasses.
- Use travel routes specified by local authorities. Don't use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
- Continue to listen to you local EAS station for information and instruction.
You can do the following, only if you are sure you have extra time:
- Call your family contact to tell them where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
- Provide for your pets. Pets are not permitted in public shelters.
- Gather a change of clothing for each family member, personal items such as toothbrushes and eyeglasses, and items for your baby such as formula and diapers.
- Shut off water and electricity before leaving, if instructed to do so. Leave natural gas service ON, unless local officials advise otherwise. Lock your doors and windows.
Q: Are there any special precautions I should take while I'm driving to the shelter?
A: Follow these precautions:
- Don't take shortcuts because a shortcut may put you in the path of danger. For your safety, follow the exact route you are told to take.
- Take only one car to the evacuation site.
- Close your car windows and air vents and turn off the heater or air conditioner.
- If possible, continue to listen to your Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio or television station for updated information.
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.
- Do not call your child's school. You could tie up a phone line that is needed for emergency communications.
- For further information, listen to local emergency radio and TV stations to learn when and where you can pick up your children.
- You can check with your children's schools prior to an emergency to see what protective plans they have in place.
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.
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.
Sheltering in place
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. 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: If I'm told to "shelter in place" what should I do?
A: "Shelter in place" may be one of the basic instructions given during an emergency. This is a precaution aimed to keep you safe while remaining in your home or other location. If you are told to shelter in place:
- Stay in a building or other shelter. If you are outdoors, go inside immediately. If there are contaminants, you can provide a minimal amount of protection by covering your mouth and nose with a cloth or other material such as newspaper. If you have to gather up family members, protect your body as much as possible.
- If possible, bring your pets indoors, but do not put yourself at risk for your pets.
- Locate and keep your disaster supplies kit with you. Make sure your radio is working and that you have an adequate supply of fresh water.
- Close all windows. Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Close the fireplace damper.
- Go to an aboveground room (not the basement) with the fewest windows and doors. Take your family disaster supplies kit with you.
- If you are told there is danger of explosion, cover the windows with shades or blinds and stay clear of them.
- Stay in the room and listen to your Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio and television station for information and instruction or until you are told all is safe.
Awareness and notification
Q: If an incendiary 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 notify me if there is an explosion in my area?
A: Yes, in the event of a public health emergency, local and state health departments will inform the public about the actions individuals need to take.
Q: How will I be notified if there is an explosion nearby?
A: In the event of a major emergency there will be information broadcast over your local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio or television station.
Q: If I listen to the local EAS radio station what kind of information will I get about a terrorist attack?
A: Listen for information on:
- The type of health hazard.
- The area affected.
- How to protect yourself.
- Evacuation routes, if necessary.
- Shelter locations.
- Type and location of medical facilities.
- Phone numbers to call if extra help is needed.
Emergency supplies
Q: Should I stockpile food in case of an incendiary attack?
A: Some people have responded to the terrorist threat by stockpiling food and other goods. It doesn't hurt to keep a supply of nonperishable food and water on hand for emergencies.
Q: How much water should I store for emergencies and how should I store it?
A: Follow these steps:
- Store 1 gallon of water per person per day – 2 quarts for drinking, 2 quarts for food preparation.
- Keep at least a three-day (minimum) supply per person for drinking, food preparation and sanitation. A normally active person needs to drink at least 2 quarts of water daily. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that need. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need more.
- Store water in plastic containers. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.
Q: What is a disaster kit and what should be in it?
A: A disaster kit contains items that can help you endure an evacuation or home confinement. Six basics recommended for your disaster supplies kit are water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies and special items. You may already have these items in your home or workplace. (See also workplace disaster supplies kit.)
- Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy to carry container such as a large covered trash container, a camping backpack or a duffle bag.
- Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members.
- Keep a smaller version of the kit in the trunk of your car. Prepare a separate kit for your pets or add items for pet care in your kit.
- Change stored water and food every 6 months.
Tips for assembling a disaster kit:
- Water – store a three-day supply. You will need enough for each person in your household. One gallon per day per person is recommended. Change stored water every six months.
- Food – store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food, selecting foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. Remember special need foods for elderly, ill or baby. Change stored food every six months.
- First aid kit – assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. Include extra eyeglasses and prescription medicines.
- Survival tools – include an emergency preparedness manual, flashlight and extra batteries and bulbs, and a battery-operated radio with extra batteries. Tape the call letters and frequency numbers of your Emergency Alert System (EAS) station on the radio. Make sure everyone knows how to work the radio and put in fresh batteries. Include tools such as wrenches for shutting off utilities.
- Sanitation Supplies – toilet paper, Ziploc bags, garbage bags with seals, 5-gallon bucket with lid, feminine hygiene products, pre-moistened towelettes.
- Clothing and bedding – Include at least one complete change of clothing and sturdy footwear per person. Include two blankets or one sleeping bag per person.
- Special items – These are items for family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons, such as diapers and specific care items. You might also want to include a few entertainment items such as games and books.
- Important papers – Keep important documents, cash, traveler's checks and a credit card in a waterproof portable container. Include an extra set of car keys.
Community readiness
Q: Does every community have an adequate emergency response system, especially one geared for a terrorist attack? How quickly can they be implemented?
A: Emergency response systems vary based on each community's needs and resources. Some emergency system components can be implemented very quickly, while others may take longer.
Q: Are hospitals prepared to handle a sudden surge in demand for health care?
A: The preparedness level in hospitals depends on the agent used in an attack. Because a sudden surge in patients could overwhelm individual hospital resources, hospitals collaborate with other hospitals in their area to respond to terrorist attacks on a citywide or regional basis. Hospitals are required to maintain disaster response plans and to practice applying them as part of their accreditation process. In an emergency, local medical care capacity will be supplemented with federal resources.
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