600-41 Weapons of Mass Destruction Flashcards
(40 cards)
All chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive (CBRNE) incidents, real or hoax, shall be treated as _____
The ____ is located on the department’s Intranet Portal.
1) significant events.
2) ERP (Emergency Response Plan)
CBRNE.
The five categories of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) materials including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive.
Biotoxin.
Poisonous substance produced by a living organism.
Consequence Management.
Activity performed primarily by the Houston Fire Department (HFD) after a CBRNE attack that may include isolating the hazard area, caring for victims,performing decontamination, administering emergency medical treatment, and recovery.
Emergency Decontamination.
Rapid but methodical decontamination of individuals near the scene of the incident that is designed to save lives by removing the contaminating agent from the victim. This activity is performed primarily by HFD utilizing large amounts of water and is accomplished in the warm zone.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Personnel.
HFD paramedics and other medical personnel, including doctors and nurses, at the scene of large-scale disasters.
HAZMAT.
Hazardous material.
HAZMAT Personnel.
HFD personnel who deal with any solid, liquid, or gas that has the capability of producing adverse effects on the health and safety of people or other living organisms.
Hot Zone.
The area immediately surrounding the CBRNE material, extending far enough to prevent the spread of adverse effects to persons outside this designated zone. Hot zone is also referred to as the restricted zone, exclusion zone, danger zone, or kill zone.
Inner Perimeter.
The area designated as a control line surrounding the warm zone. A line between the outside edge of the warm zone and the cold zone.
Mass Decontamination.
Rapid decontamination of several persons simultaneously that is designed to quickly reduce the effects of the contaminant and limit the spread of the CBRNE agent. This activity is performed primarily by HFD utilizing large amounts of water and may occur in the hot zone before victims are allowed to go to individual decontamination stations in the warm zone.
Outer Perimeter.
The area designated as a crowd control line surrounding the incident. A line between the general public and the outside edge of the cold zone.
Pathogen.
Disease causing agent.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Protective equipment worn by individuals and designed to provide protection from the hazard present. PPE can range from something as simple as a long-sleeved shirt to cover unprotected skin to a completely encapsulated gas-tight suit with self-contained breathing apparatus.
The purpose of the department issued first responder PPE (Blue Bag) is to allow the officer to avoid some types of contamination, minimize risk, and escape the threat; it is not for work within the threat area. The PPE in the Blue Bag does not protect officers against all threats and the suits are not rated for splash and gas vapors.
Warm Zone.
The area between the hot zone and cold zone where personnel and equipment decontamination occur. It includes control points for access to the hot zone. This area may also be referred to as the “contamination reduction zone.”
Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD)
a. Any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas: bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces (113 grams), missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce (7 grams}, mine, or device similar to the above.
b. Any weapon involving toxic or poisonous chemicals.
c. Any weapon involving a biological agent or disease organism.
d. Any weapon that is designed to release radiation at a level dangerous to human life.
Response to a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) incident is very similar to the response to a hazardous material incident as described in General Order 200-10, Emergency Management.
The following are three primary differences between a WMD incident and a hazardous material incident:
a. A WMD incident is more likely to involve_____. Therefore, the required response is commensurately larger and more complicated.
b. A WMD incident is always a crime because _____. Therefore, the scene of a WMD attack shall be processed as a crime scene.
c. A reported WMD incident may be a hoax perpetrated by someone with the intent of creating fear and chaos. Reporting a hoax WMD threat is a criminal act. Therefore, every WMD incident, real or hoax, shall be _____
1) material with greater toxicity and more severe consequences
2) the purpose is to kill or seriously injure people
3) investigated by the Homicide Division.
SAFETY GUIDELINES
Safety of first responders is critically important. If the first responders become contaminated, ill, or incapacitated, then they become part of the problem and cannot effectively rescue victims or initiate other critical actions that could serve to mitigate the situation and prevent other persons from becoming victims. Officers shall utilize _____
time, distance, and shielding as protective actions.
SAFETY GUIDELINES
Officers responding to a WMD incident shall adhere to the following guidelines:
a. _____ before doing anything. Officers shall not rush in and risk becoming victims.
b. Focus on the hazard and _____. Officers shall not taste, eat, intentionally smell, or touch anything at the scene of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive (CBRNE) incident.
c. Remain vigilant for _____ and hamper the initial response.
d. Immediately _____ what is seen and heard, if there is any distinct odor noticed upon arrival at the scene, what the wind direction is, and what actions are necessary.
1) Assess the situation
2) how to avoid it
3) any additional devices designed specifically to injure first responders
4) notify the dispatcher
METHODS OF CBRNE ATTACK
Chemical Attack
A chemical attack is the _____. The toxicity of chemicals varies greatly. Some are acutely toxic (i.e., cause immediate symptoms); others are not. Chemicals in liquid or vapor form generally lead to greater exposures than chemicals in solid form.
Many variables affect the concentration of a chemical including wind and the volatility of the chemical. The release of toxic chemicals in closed spaces (e.g., tunnels, airports, financial centers) could deliver doses high enough to injure or kill a large number of people. In an open area, a _____ and would have to be released in large quantities to produce mass casualties.
1) spreading of toxic chemicals with the intent to do harm
2) toxic chemical cloud (plume) would become less concentrated as it spreads
METHODS OF CBRNE ATTACK
Chemical Attack
Dissemination methods used for a chemical attack include the following:
a. _____ systems of a building.
b. Misting, aerosolizing devices, or _____.
c. _____release (e.g., container of chemical left open).
d. Bombs, mines, or other explosive devices that contain chemicals other than _____.
e. Improvised chemical devices that combine readily available chemicals to _____
f. Sabotage of buildings or vehicles containing _____.
g. Introduction of toxins in the ____.
1) Ventilation
2) sprayers
3) Passive
4) those used to create the explosion
5) produce a dangerous chemical.
6) chemicals
7) food or water supply
Biological Attack
A biological attack is the intentional release of a _____ against humans, plants, or animals.
pathogen or biotoxin
Biological Attack
Dissemination methods used for a biological attack include the following:
a. _____ dispersal of an agent in the air from sprayers or other devices.
b. Intentionally contaminating _____
c. Human carriers as transmitting agents by _____
d. Contact with infected _____
e. ____ naturally spread some agents such as plague bacteria (vector-borne illnesses) and potentially could be used in an attack.
f. Physically distributed through a _____ or other means.
1) Aerosol
2) water or a food supply.
3) coughing, through body fluids, or by contaminating surfaces.
4) animals or contaminated animal products.
5) Insects
6) mail carrier service
Radiological Attack
A radiological attack is _____. This attack could deliver radiation doses high enough to cause immediate health effects or fatalities in a large number of people or may not be immediately identified.
Due to potentially lethal levels of radiation emitted from medical or industrial sources, this type of attack can be performed _____ or _____.
1) the use or spreading of radioactive material with the intent to do harm
2) covertly (i.e., no dissemination needed)
3) overtly (e.g., sprayed, scattered, explosion)