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5.2.9 Terrorist Attack

Weapon of Mass Destruction

A Weapon of Mass Destruction includes biological, chemical, nuclear, incendiary or highly explosive material and any combination thereof.

General Guidelines

Emergency action steps will depend upon the type of device and/or agent used and whether it is used on-campus, in a campus building, or off-campus. The College has developed plans to respond to such situations and has established lines of communication with appropriate civil authorities to obtain current information.

Action Steps

  1. Notify Security at 409-670-0789, who will:
    • Call 911 to dispatch police/bomb-squad and fire/HAZMAT
    • Contact the Incident Commander
    • Contact the FBI
    • Contact the Local/Regional Office of Emergency Management
    • Contact the Local Health Department
  2. In most cases authorities will set up an Incident Command Center upwind of the hazard.
  3. Avoid contamination:
    • At the point of the release
    • By exposed individuals
    • Limit access in the area to those responsible for rescue or material/device analysis
  4. Do not touch or move any suspicious object:
    • Do not use radios, cell phones, etc. that may trigger detonation
    • Evacuate the area
  5. If an unknown material has been released:
    • Facilities will shut down ventilation systems
    • If the release is internal, secure the affected area and evacuate
    • Affected individuals should quarantine themselves at a safe location
    • If the release is external, secure the perimeter and execute a Shelter-in-Place
  6. If a hazardous release occurs off-campus:
    • And contamination is expected to affect the campus, you will be given instructions to remain indoors
    • And contamination is not expected to affect the campus, you will be given instructions on avoiding any contaminated areas

Terrorist Activity – On Campus

Bomb Detonation, Chemical, Radiation or Biological Release (Inside a Building)

Expected Impact

  • General panic.
  • Additional detonations or releases possible.
  • Immediate fatalities and/or fatal exposures possible.
  • Injuries or sickness.
  • Psychological trauma.
  • Physical damage.
  • Utility interruption.
  • Environmental contamination.

Expected Consequences

  • College activities suspended until the situation stabilizes.
  • Government authorities assume incident command & may commandeer College resources.
  • Increased scrutiny from regulatory agencies.

Suggested Action Steps

  • EMBCP activated
  • IRT contacted
  • EMT notified
  • Activate the EOC
  • Eliminate hoax as a possibility
  • Affected buildings evacuated
  • Consider a campus-wide evacuation
  • All entrances closed
  • Ventilation systems in affected building(s) shutdown
  • Personnel from affected building(s) are quarantined
  • Most Critical Plans / Resources:
    • Security
    • Facilities
    • Public Relations
    • EH&S
    • Student Health Services

Bomb Detonation, Chemical, Radiation or Biological Release (Outside on Campus)

Expected Impact

  • General panic.
  • Additional detonations or releases possible.
  • Immediate fatalities and/or fatal exposures possible.
  • Injuries or sickness.
  • Psychological trauma.
  • Physical damage.
  • Utility interruption.
  • Environmental contamination.

Expected Consequences

  • College activities suspended until the situation stabilizes.
  • Government authorities assume incident command & may commandeer College resources.
  • Increased scrutiny from regulatory agencies.

Suggested Action Steps

  • EMBCP activated
  • IRT contacted
  • EMT notified
  • Activate the EOC
  • Eliminate hoax as a possibility
  • Campus not evacuated / everyone remains indoors
  • All ventilation systems shut down
  • Personnel in affected areas are quarantined
  • All entrances closed
  • Most Critical Plans / Resources:
    • Security
    • Facilities
    • Public Relations
    • EH&S
    • Nearly all resources critical

Terrorist Activity – Off Campus (In the General Area)

Bomb Detonation

Expected Impact

  • High anxiety levels.
  • Possible panic.
  • College activities probably not directly affected.
  • Indirect impact such as the loss of utility services is possible.

Expected Consequences

  • Once the situation becomes known it will be difficult to concentrate on normal activities.
  • College effectively paralyzed.
  • Government authorities may commandeer College resources.

Suggested Action Steps

  • EMBCP activated
  • IRT contacted
  • EMT notified
  • Activate the EOC
  • Eliminate hoax as a possibility
  • All entrances & exits closed
  • Most Critical Plans / Resources:
    • Security
    • Public Relations
    • EH&S

Chemical, Biological or Radiation Release

Expected Impact

  • High anxiety levels.
  • Probable panic.
  • College activities probably not directly affected.
  • Indirect impact such as the loss of utility services is possible.

Expected Consequences

  • Once the situation becomes known it will be difficult to concentrate on normal activities.
  • College effectively paralyzed.
  • Government authorities may commandeer College resources.

Suggested Action Steps

  • EMBCP activated
  • IRT contacted
  • EMT notified
  • Activate the EOC
  • Eliminate hoax as a possibility
  • All entrances & exits closed
  • All individuals are instructed to leave the grounds and to seek shelter inside buildings
  • Shut down all ventilation systems
  • Most Critical Plans / Resources:
    • Security
    • Public Relations
    • EH&S

Notes on Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD):

  • There are important differences between radiation, biological, and chemical releases. These guidelines assume that a biological or radiation release is detected at the time of release, and that may not always be the case. If a biological or radiation release remains undetected for a period of time, all opportunities for initial action steps will be lost. A biological or radiation release could impact the entire region, whereas a chemical release will likely impact a more limited area due to a required mass.
  • These guidelines do not address a technology attack. Although important college activities could be disabled, it is unlikely that there would be life-threatening situations. The response will have to be handled by the technology department; there would be very little that anyone else could do.
  • Since a bomb detonation or chemical release will likely impact a limited area, individuals can be routed out of harm’s way. A shutdown of College operations will likely be of a short duration.
  • For a chemical release it may be necessary for individuals on lower floors to move to upper floors, conducting a “vertical evacuation.”
  • A biological or radiation release may directly impact the campus even if the point of release is off-campus.
  • Longer-term considerations include the possible relocation of resident students and the evaluation of the personal lives of displaced employees.

Bomb Threat

  • Since this is only a threat, there are assumed to be no injuries or damages.
  • Contact Security.
  • Evacuate building(s) if the threat is real.
  • Prosecute all hoaxes.

Anthrax

  • Take all instances seriously.
  • Isolate the area.
  • Quarantine any affected individuals.
  • Contact a qualified HAZMAT service to address the situation.

Next Steps

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