Homeland Security advises Hoosiers

In a world of conflicting cultural identities, confrontational religious doctrines, crippling economic disparities and fanatical national pride, international terrorist acts against civilian populations is on the rise. \nDealing with terrorism from a campus community perspective, IU Police Department Lt. Jerry Minger said more players are responsible for responding to terrorist attacks besides the first-response team "hands-on in the street" -- such as ambulance crews, fire and police departments, the Red Cross and government agencies. \n"In Monroe County, emergency plans were initiated years ago for weather-related disasters -- the highest probability being a tornado," Minger said. "With the Y2K scare, all the plans were revamped to include new contingencies. It's the same kind of thing from the perspective of Homeland Security. You can't plan for exact specifics; you have to plan for generalities. You deal with the specifics at the time depending on what the emergency calls for." \nUnlike many villages, towns or cities across the United States, Minger said IU could provide food, electricity and shelter for disaster victims since the University is self-contained. In addition, Minger said several locations within the campus community would serve as make-shift command centers to direct the terrorist attack relief efforts.\nHowever, the most important coping mechanisms occur on an individual level, Minger said.\nSince future terrorist strikes against the people, property and prosperity of the United States cannot be prophesied, the U.S. government has warned all citizens to be prepared for any kind of terror threat the human mind can imagine -- from the radioactive clouds of "dirty" nuclear bombs to the deployment of biological and chemical agents. Highlighted in rhetoric administered in television, radio and print advertisements, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has recommended several steps Americans can take to prepare for the unexpected harm inflicted on civilian populations during times of war. \nAccording to a special national yellow pages insert on homeland security, alphabetically filed under "Homeland Security" in the SBC SMART Yellow Pages, the likelihood of surviving a terrorist attack is similar to surviving a house fire. Tom Ridge, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said terrorism "forces" us to make the choice between being "afraid" or being "ready."\n"Just like having a working smoke detector, preparing for the unexpected makes sense," according to the Homeland Security insert. \nAdopting a "common sense framework," the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends four steps all Hoosiers should follow to be prepared for a few hypothetical terrorist scenarios -- such as attacks on the water, food and/or air the community population consumes: make an emergency supply kit, make a family communication plan, be informed and remain calm.\nAn emergency supply kit should consist of: water -- one gallon per person per day; food -- canned and dried; warm cloths -- including a sleeping bags; emergency supplies -- flashlight, battery powered radio, extra batteries, first-aid kit, toilet articles, filter masks; duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal windows and vents -- heavyweight garbage bags work as well, according to the insert.\nA family communication plan should include: a phone tree to call in case of emergency; an idea of where to "shelter-in-place," -- an interior room with as few doors and windows as possible; an idea of where to go -- several destinations in different directions; and an idea of how to proceed in an emergency situation if at school or work when the terrorists strike.\nA prepared civilian is also an informed civilian who can articulate the difference between potential terrorist threats such as biological, chemical, explosive, nuclear and radiological -- this information should determine which decision to make and action to take.\nRegardless of the terrorist attack or disastrous threat, according to the insert: "Above all, stay calm, be patient and think before you act." \n"It's not like the days back during the Red Scare of the 1950s, when people were preparing for a specific threat -- a nuclear attack," Minger said. "As we have seen by 9-11 and recent terrorist activities in other countries, you can't prepare for a specific attack. Terrorists might use an airplane, an explosive device or derail a train. There is nothing specific you can tell people other than to assess the current national security level and to take precautionary measures."\n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.