1. Hazardous Materials for
First Responders
4th Edition
Chapter 7 — Terrorist Attacks, Criminal
Activities and Disasters

2. Terrorism
“the unlawful use of force against
persons or property to intimidate or
coerce a government, the civilian
population, or any segment thereof, in
the furtherance of political or social
objectives
7–2

3. Terrorism
“the unlawful or threatened use of force
or violence against individuals or property
to coerce and intimidate governments or
societies, often to achieve political,
religious, or ideological objectives
Haz Mat for First Responders
6–3

4. Three elements make up the U.S.
Federal Bureau of Investigation’s
(FBI) definition of terrorism.
(Continued)
7–4

5. Terrorism is designed to cause
disruption, fear, and panic.
Courtesy of U.S. Department of Defense
7–5

6. There are several key differences
between routine emergencies and
a terrorist attack.
7–6

7. Terrorist tactics traditionally
involve conventional weapons but
now include WMDs.
7–7

8. The different types of terrorist
attacks typically involve WMDs.
7–8

9. Explosive Attacks
• Most likely greatest WMD threat
7–9

10. Explosive devices are designed to
kill, maim, or destroy.
7–10

11. An explosion results in a shock
front and a two phase blast-
pressure wave.
7–11

12. Explosives are classified in two main
ways important to first responders.
7–12

13. There are a variety of types
of explosives a first
responder may encounter.
7–13

14. Homemade/improvised explosive
materials are typically made by
combining an oxidizer with a fuel.
7–14

15. Improvised explosive devices
(IEDs) are usually constructed
for a specific target.
7–15

16. IEDs are typically categorized by
their container type.
(Continued)
7–16

17. IEDs are typically categorized by
their container type.
Courtesy of August Vernon
Courtesy of August Vernon
7–17

18. Mail, package, or letter bombs
carry common indicators.
7–18

19. Other types of IEDs take various
unusual and typical forms.
7–19

20. Identification of IEDs means
that responders should be
cautious of out-of-the-ordinary
items.
7–20

21. Person-borne devices can be
identified by several indicators.
Courtesy of August Vernon
7–21

22. PBD Indicators
• Fear and Nervousness
- profuse sweating
- hands in pockets
- repeated or nervous handling of clothing
- slow paced walking while constantly shifting eyes
- major attempts to stay away from security personnel
• Bulky suicide vests or belts (contours may be visible prior to
detonation)
• Unseasonable attire
• Wires or other exposed material around body
• Carrying or wearing items that can conceal a bomb i.e.
briefcase , luggage, backpacks
Haz Mat for First Responders
6–22

23. Indicators
• Obvious or awkward attempts to blend in with crowd
• Obvious disguising of appearance
• Dyed or short cut hair
• Actions indicating a strong determination to get to a
target
• Repeated visits to a location
• Anything that seems out of place, unusual, abnormal,
or arouses curiosity
• Any combination of the above
Haz Mat for First Responders
6–23

24. Vehicle bombs (VBIEDs) can be
identified by several indicators.
7–24

25. Response to explosive/IED events
must be conducted within an ICS.
(Continued)
7–25

26. Response to explosive/IED events
must be conducted within an ICS.
7–26

27. Stand-off Distances
Haz Mat for First Responders
6–27

28. Stand-off Distances

29. Chemical Attacks
Deliberate release of toxic gas, liquid, or solid that can
poison people and the environment.
Two main types
•Chemical agents or Chemical Warfare Agents –
chemical substances intended for use in warfare with
the intention to kill
•Toxic Industrial Material (TIMs)- chemical substances
normally used for industrial purposes
7–29

30. Chemical Agents
• 6 categories of agents
- Nerve
- Blister (vesicants)
- Blood (cyanide agents)
- Choking (pulmonary or lung-damaging agents)
- Riot control (irritants)
- Toxic industrial materials
Haz Mat for First Responders
6–30

31. Nerve agents attack the nervous
system by affecting the
transmission of impulses.
7–31

32. Nerve Agents
• Tabun, Sarin, Soman VX
– Greatest concern from chemical family -
pesticides for humans
– Tabun, Sarin, Soman can easily be
aerosolized and disseminated, VX is
consistency of motor oil
– Nerve agents interfere with normal body
chemistry
– Death would normally occur from
cardiopulmonary failure
30.32

33. Recognize: Nerve Agents
• Dissemination: Liquid or gas
• Types: Tabun (GA), sarin
(GB), soman (GD), VX
• Availability: Not commercially
available
• Volatility: Nonpersistent
(tabun, sarin, soman)
Persistent (VX)
30.33

34. Recognize: Nerve Agents
(continued)
• Vapor density: Heavier than air
• Odors: Slightly fruity (tabun), faintly
sweet (sarin), camphor (soman), odorless
(VX)
• Routes of entry: Inhalation or absorption
• General signs and/or symptoms:
Pinpointed pupils, respiratory arrest,
sweating, weakness, disorientation,
diarrhea, general increase in secretions
and tremors, SLUDGEM: Acronym for
salivation, lacrimation, urination,
defecation, gastric distress, emesis
30.34

35. Symptoms of Nerve Agent
Exposure
• SLUDGEM
– Salivation
– Lacrimination (tearing)
– Urination
– Defecation
– Gastrointestinal pain
– Emesis (vomiting)
- Miosis (pin point pupils)
30.35

36. Blister agents burn and blister the
skin or any other part of the body
they contact.
7–36

37. Blister Agents
• Mustard, Lewsite, and Phosgene Oxime
• Most often referred to as Mustard Agents
• Mustard freezes at 58 degrees
• Material is liquid and may be disseminated as a
spray or mist
• Mustard exposure may not show immediate
effects while Lewsite will cause immediate
burning of skin, respiratory tract, eyes
– large blisters will form on skin
30.37

38. Recognize: Blister Agents
• Types: Mustards (H), lewisite
(L), phosgene oxime (CX)
• Dissemination: Liquid
• Availability: Not commercially
available
• Volatility: Most are relatively
persistent
30.38

39. Recognize: Blister Agents
(continued)
• Vapor density: Heavier than air
• Odors: Onions, garlic, or
horseradish (H); geraniums (L);
intense and irritating (CX)
• Routes of entry: Inhalation,
ingestion, or absorption
• General signs and/or
symptoms: Mustard agent
exposure (no effects for hours)
lewisite and phosgene oxime
produce pain (effect seen
immediately) 30.39

40. Blood agents interfere with the
body’s ability to use oxygen in two
main ways.
7–40

41. There are three main types of
blood agents first responders
should be familiar with.
7–41

42. Blood Agents
• Hydrogen Cyanide & Cyanogen Chloride
• Both agents are commercially available &
used in many manufacturing processes
• Primary threat is from inhalation of material
• Blood agents affect the body by blocking
normal transfer of oxygen from blood stream
to individual body cells
– blood is rich in oxygen - blood gases
normally transferred and exhaled are
locked in blood
30.42

43. Recognize: Blood Agents
• Types: Hydrogen cyanide (AC),
cyanogen chloride (CK)
• Dissemination: Liquid or gas
• Availability: Commercially available,
used in various manufacturing
processes, such as electroplating,
metallurgy, metal cleaning, and
photography
• Volatility: Nonpersistent
30.43

44. Recognize: Blood Agents
(continued)
• Vapor density: Range from
slightly lighter than air to
significantly heavier than air
• Odor: Bitter almonds (peach
pits)
• Routes of entry: Inhalation
• General signs and/or symptoms:
Gasping for air, froth or vomit,
lose consciousness, and die,
process will occur very rapidly
30.44

45. Choking agents attack the lungs
and may be encountered during
normal haz mat incidents.
7–45

46. Choking Agents
• Phosgene and Chlorine
– Used in WWI trench warfare
– Chlorine is widely used for water treatment
– Phosgene is commonly used in industry
– Once inhaled - immediately irritate throat &
lungs
– When agent comes in contact with fluid in
lungs it hydrolyzes and makes Hydrochloric
Acid in lungs
30.46

47. Choking Agents - Cont’d
– Initial signs of coughing may be present
– Critical medical signs of exposure - two or
three hours later when lungs may start to
fill with liquid and oxygen transfer process
diminishes (gasping for breath)
30.47

48. Recognize: Choking Agents
• Vapor density: Heavier than
air, and settle into low places
• Odor: Specific odor (newly
mown hay)
• Routes of entry: Inhalation
• General signs and/or
symptoms: Airway irritation,
fluid filled lungs and
pulmonary edema (dry-land
drowning)
30.48

49. Riot control agents temporarily
make people unable to function.
7–49

50. Toxic industrial materials are toxic
in certain concentrations.
7–50

51. Chemical attack operations
differ from other incidents in
several ways.
7–51

52. Biological Attacks
An intentional release of viruses, bacteria
or their toxins for the purpose of harming
or killing citizens
7–52

53. Biological attacks are the intentional
release of viruses, bacteria, or toxins
by four main modes of transmission.
7–53

54. There are four main types of
biological agents first responders
should know.
7–54

55. Biological agents typically fall into
three categories.
7–55

56. Disease transmission occurs in one
of six ways.
(Continued)
7–56

57. Disease transmission occurs in one
of six ways.
(Continued)
7–57

58. Disease transmission occurs in one
of six ways.
7–58

59. Viral Agents - Smallpox
• This virus is a concern since general
population is no longer vaccinated
• Worlds supply of vaccines very low with
only two live sources left to make more
• Smallpox as a weapon is not readily
available. But because of its potential
to infect humans it is still a concern
30.59

60. Recognize : Viral Agents
• Type: Virus—Variola virus
(smallpox)
• Dissemination: Aerosol
• Availability: No longer
naturally occurring; only
authorized existing sources
are in Atlanta and Moscow
laboratories
• Routes of entry: Inhalation
30.60

61. Recognize: Viral Agents
(continued)
• Mortality: The majority of patients
with smallpox recover, but death
may occur in up to 30% of cases
• General signs and/or symptoms:
Begin acutely with malaise, fever,
rigors, vomiting, headache, and
backache
• Basic treatment: No proven
treatment, but research to
evaluate new antiviral agents is
ongoing
30.61

62. Viral Agents - Venezuelan
Equine Encephalitis
• Normally found in Central/South
America and SW parts of USA that have
dry & hot climates along with irrigated
farming areas
• Horses serve as major source of virus
• Bites from mosquito’s that have bitten
infected horses are major source of
infection
30.62

63. Recognize: Viral Agents
• Type: Virus—VEE
• Dissemination: Solid, liquid,
or aerosol
• Availability: Naturally
occurring; widespread usage
in labs throughout the U.S.
• Routes of entry: Inhalation;
not transmittable through
human contact; injection
30.63

64. Recognize: Viral Agents
(continued)
• General signs and/or symptoms:
Fever, severe headaches, malaise,
and extreme soreness in the legs
and lower back area. Nausea,
vomiting, cough, sore throat, and
diarrhea may follow
• Mortality: Overall rate is 0.5-1%;
in patients developing encephalitis,
rate range is 20%
• Basic treatment: No specific
medications are approved
30.64

65. Bacterial Agent - Anthrax
• Occurs normally in cattle, sheep, or other
hooved animals
• Can cause spores to form which make the
organism resilient - remain active for years
• Spores/organism can be manipulated for use
as a weapon - 1950-60 by US military
• Greatest threat is from inhalation
• No immediate signs/symptoms
• Treatment can include penicillin & others
30.65

66. Recognize: Bacterial Agents
• Type: Bacteria—Bacillus
anthracis (anthrax)
• Dissemination: Solid
• Availability: Naturally
occurring; widespread usage
in labs throughout the U.S.
• Routes of entry: Inhalation,
contact,
ingestion, or
injection
30.66

67. Recognize: Bacterial
Agents (continued)
• General signs and/or symptoms: The
early symptoms are flu-like—chills, fever,
nausea, and swelling of lymph nodes
• Mortality: Early treatment of cutaneous
anthrax is usually curative, and early
treatment of all forms is important for
recovery
• Basic treatment: Three types of
antiobiotics are approved for anthrax:
ciprofloxacin, tetracyclines (including
doxycycline), and penicillins
30.67

68. Bacterial Agent - Plague
• AKA - Black Death
• Normally transmitted to humans by flea
bites which have bitten infected rats
• Bacteria can be cultured and
aerosolized
• Symptoms, in addition to flu symptoms,
could include spitting up blood
30.68

69. Recognize: Bacterial Agents
• Type: Bacteria—Yersinia
pestis (plague)
• Dissemination: Aerosol
• Availability: Naturally
occurring; widespread usage
in labs throughout the U.S.
• Routes of entry: Inhalation,
ingestion, or
injection
30.69

70. Recognize: Bacterial Agents
(continued)
• General signs and/or symptoms:
Early symptoms are high fever,
chills, headache, spitting up of
blood, and shortness of breath
• Mortality: Without early treatment,
patients may die. About 14% (1 in
7) of all plague cases in the United
States are fatal
• Basic treatment: Early treatment of
pneumonic plague is essential. To
reduce the chance of death,
antibiotics must be given within 24
hours of first symptoms
30.70

71. Rickettsia - Q Fever
• AKA - Rickettsia
• Organism similar characteristics to other
bacteria and viruses
• Source is from cattle - same as anthrax
• Mortality rate is very low, responds well
to antibiotics
30.71

72. Toxins - Ricin
• This agent is made from Castor Beans - Nearly 5% of bean
contains protein used to manufacture Ricin
• If ingested it attaches itself to cell surfaces such as
stomach lining. Once in the blood stream it inhibits protein
synthesis
• Ricin is 2 to 3 times more toxic than VX, which is the most
deadly nerve agent
• When inhaled a small particle can produce pathologic
changes in 8 hours, respiratory failure in 36 to 72 hours
30.72

73. Recognize: Ricin
• Type: Toxin—Ricinus communis
(ricin)
• Dissemination: Solid, liquid, or
aerosol
• Availability: Commercially
available; naturally occurring
• (Ex. ricin)
• Routes of entry: Inhalation,
ingestion, or injection
30.73

74. Recognize: Ricin (continued)
• weakness, dizziness, dry mouth and
throat, blurred vision, and General
signs and/or symptoms: Will vary, but
may include the following:
generalized respiratory failure
• Mortality: Death from ricin poisoning
could take place within 36 to 72
hours of exposure
• Basic treatment: No antidote exists
for ricin. Ricin poisoning is treated by
giving victims supportive medical care
to minimize the effects of the
poisoning
30.74

75. Toxins - Botulinum
• Agent produced by the bacteria
Colstridum botulinum
• Bacteria principally found in soil and can
not grow in presence of oxygen
• Toxin often found in closed food
containers such as improperly preserved
canned foods
• This toxin is among the most potent
biological toxins
30.75

76. Staphylococcus Enterotoxins
AKA - SEB (Food Poisoning)
• Staphylococcus aureous is the bacteria
that produces Enterotoxin B toxin (food
poisoning)
– Toxin poisoning can be caused after
ingesting contaminated food that looks and
smells ok.
• In 1984 an incident in Oregon saw 751
people poisoned from food at salad bars
after 2 cult members cultivated
Salmonella
30.76

77. Biological attack incident
operations require both training
and equipment for safe response.
(Continued)
7–77

78. Additional precautions should be
used once the agent is identified.
(Continued)
7–78

79. Radiological and Nuclear Attacks
7–79

80. Radiological devices are commonly
categorized in three ways.
7–80

81. There are several factors that
impede a nuclear attack, however
there are exceptions.
7–81

82. Sabotage of nuclear facilities can
target any of the following.
7–82

83. Operations during radiological and
nuclear attacks are accomplished
through ICS and use specific tactics.
7–83

84. Illegal Dump Sites
Identify hazards of illegal haz mat
dumps.
7–84

85. Illegal haz mat dumps happen for a
variety of reasons and present
unique hazards and problems.
7–85

86. Evidence Preservation
7–86

87. First responders should not collect
evidence but can take steps to help
preserve it for law enforcement.
(Continued)
7–87

88. First responders should not collect
evidence but can take steps to help
preserve it for law enforcement.
7–88

89. Haz Mat and Disasters
7–89

90. Disasters can create haz mat
incidents in a variety of ways.
Containers can
wash away and/
or release
contents.
Courtesy of Rich Mahaney
7–90

91. Summary
• By using IMS, responders can focus on
the problem-solving process.
• The IC must determine the strategic
goals and tactical objectives that will
begin to stabilize the incident and bring
it to a successful conclusion with the
least amount of harm and damage.
7–91