Weapons of mass destruction likely to be employed by terrorists fall into four basic categories:
- Nuclear
- Conventional
- Biological
- Chemical
Follow these procedures to protect human life:
Nuclear & Conventional
Defense against nuclear weapons depends primarily on distance from the point of detonation. If responding to the threat of an imminent conventional or nuclear blast nearby:
- Move people to specifically identified rooms. Interior hallways may be used as an alternate.
- Close all doors leading into hallways to minimize flying glass.
- All people assume the duck, cover and hold position on the ground.
- Shelter in place to protect from fall-out if attack is far enough away.
- Account for all employees - keep people inside buildings. Allow individuals (employees or guests) to leave at their own discretion once cleared to do so by police/fire, Public Safety Department, emergency management, or military authorities.
Biological
Defense against biological attacks is difficult. Awareness is usually not possible for days or weeks. The first signs may emerge as personnel notice a higher than usual incidence of various symptoms. Should a biological attack be discovered while work/classes are underway:
- Reverse-evacuate all people into site/school buildings.
- Shelter-in-place.
- Close all doors and windows.
- Seal doors, windows, and vents with plastic and duct tape.
- Keep students and employees inside buildings. Allow people to leave at their own discretion, or parents to pick up young children, once cleared to do so by police/fire, Public Safety Department, emergency management, or military authorities.
Chemical
- Reverse-evacuate all people into school buildings.
- Shelter-in-place
- Close all doors and windows.
- Seal doors, windows, and vents with plastic and duct tape.
- Be prepared to treat those who experience a reaction to chemical agent.
The decision to evacuate should be made after consulting with police/fire, Public Safety, emergency management, or military authorities.
If the site/college is the target:
- Follow evacuation procedures.
- Evacuate to a pre-determined off site location(s).