Surviving Terrorism; A Basic Family Guide

Table of Contents

Restoring the Balance.....1

Introduction.....3

  Framing the Issue   ·   A Basic Approach   ·   Taking Action   ·   Making It All Work

Part I   Attitudes and Action

1. 1   Beginning Assumptions.....8

     Defining Terrorism   ·   Sometimes It Works   ·   And Sometimes It Doesn't   ·   But Win Or Lose, It's Not Going Away   ·   You're On Your Own (and That's OK)   ·   Taking Control

2. 2   Perspective.....11

     A Real Danger, But Not Armageddon   ·   Don't Let It Get Personal   ·   Its All The Same To You   ·   Your Best Weapons   ·   The Goal

3. 3   Three Essential Steps.....15

     Step 1. Make a Decision   ·   Step 2. Make a Plan   ·   Step 3. Get The Necessary Supplies

4. 4   Four Supporting Actions.....19

     1. Stay Informed   ·   2. Stay Healthy   ·   3. Stay Connected   ·   4. Stay Out of Discretionary Debt

   Part II   Sheltering and Evacuation

5. 5   Sheltering.....26

     Shelters: The Common Denominator   ·   Your Shelter   ·   Sheltering Essentials   ·   Immediate Actions   ·   When It's Over   ·   Other Sheltering Situations

6. 6   Evacuation.....32

     Preparations and Actions   ·   When Its Time to Leave   ·   The Last Word

   Part III   Threats, and Protective Measures.....34

7. 7   Chemical Weapons.....38

     Some Basics   ·   Initial Actions   ·   If Exposed

8. 8   Biological Weapons.....43

     Bio Agents   ·   Protective Measures   ·   Final Thoughts

9. 9   Radiological Weapons (dirty bombs).....49

     Dirty Bombs   ·   Protective Measures   ·   Health Concerns   ·   Is the Food Safe?   ·   A Related Concern   ·   Nuclear Power Plants

10. 10   Nuclear Weapons.....54

      We Can Cope With This   ·   Blast and Fallout   ·   Mask and Shelter   ·   Communicate   ·   Medicate?   ·   After the Attack

11. 11   Explosive Weapons.....58

      If You Can See the Bomb   ·   When You Feel or Hear the Explosion   ·   After the Explosion   ·   Body Check   ·   Emergency Plan

12. 12   Cyber and Agro-terrorism.....61

      Cyber-terrorism   ·   Agro-terrorism

    Part IV   Planning

13. 13   Creating Your Plan.....66

      Get Ready to Write   ·   A Script in Three Acts

14. 14   Communication Planning.....68

      The Alert   ·   Communicating With Others   ·   Get the Numbers   ·   Copies for Everybody   ·   When Plan A Doesn't Work

15. 15   Planning to Shelter.....71

      An Alternative to Anxiety   ·   Learning From History   ·   Sheltering Supplies   ·   Shelter Checklist

16. 16   Planning For Evacuation.....78

      Where Are You Going?   ·   Gathering the Family   ·   Well-Stocked Kits   ·   The Supply List   ·   Time to Leave   ·   Your Checklists

Summary.....85

Afterword.....87

Appendix A: A Basic Family Plan, With Checklists.....90

Appendix B: Immediate Action Summary.....97

Appendix C: The Department of Homeland Security Threat Advisory system.....100

Appendix D: Informative Web Sites.....103

Index.....105