Terrorist Incident
Terrorists use violence or threats of violence for political purposes. They create fear among the public, convince citizens that their government is powerless, or take action to gain immediate publicity. The September 11th attack on the World Trade Center was certainly a devastating, highly publicized act of terrorism; however, terrorism comes in many forms. Among these are acts or threats of assassination, kidnappings, hijackings, bombs, cyber attacks and weapons (chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological).
In 1995, four men were convicted in Alexandria, Minnesota of violating the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act (BWAT) by conspiring to use poison to assassinate local police officers and federal officers. These men manufactured ricin, a highly toxic substance made from castor beans, to use as a biological weapon. The amount manufactured was enough to kill over 100 people.
Be prepared for a terrorist attack. The type of incident will dictate if you should evacuate or stay and shelter-in-place.
- Go to Get Prepared and create a family communication plan that includes a Stay Plan and a Go Plan, and build a 3-day emergency supply kit to be ready for a terrorist attack.
- Print the Terrorist Attack Checklist (PDF) and discuss this information with your family.
Terrorist Incident Resources
- Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM)
Terrorism FAQ (PDF) (external link)
Alert Status (external link) - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Terrorism (external link) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Preparation and Planning for Bioterrorism Emergencies (external link)