What to do in case of Anthrax Emergency
EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT BEFORE AN ATTACK DURING AN ATTACK AFTER AN ATTACK PROTECTIVE ACTIONS ANTHRAX EXPOSURE INFORMATION DOMESTIC TERRORISM PREPAREDNESS EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT Maintaining an emergency supply kit is a good idea for any emergency. Individuals and organizations should be prepared to be without assistance for a minimum of 72 hours.
- Battery-powered radio, flashlights and batteries
- Whistle
- First aid kit and manual
- Protective eye goggles, gloves and face mask
- Hard hats
- Duct tape
- Fluorescent tape to rope off dangerous areas
- Water
- Food (canned, no-cook, packaged snacks)
- Manual can opener
- Cash and credit cards
- Change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Fire extinguisher (A-B-C) type
- Infant and feminine hygiene supplies
- Essential medicines and eyeglasses
- Names, addresses and telephone numbers of doctors and pharmacist
- Food and water for pets
- Large plastic bags for trash, waste and water protection
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Charcoal grill or camp stove for outdoor cooking
Don’t forget that the front of the White Pages of your telephone directory contains a handy First Aid and Survival Guide (Section B).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
on preparing for an emergency please contact:
Office of Emergency Management
310.253-5900
back to top BEFORE AN ATTACK Prepare for the possibility of a terrorist incident in your area. Learn about the nature of terrorism:
- Terrorists look for visible targets where they can avoid detection before or after an attack such as international airports, large cities, major international events, resorts and high-profile landmarks.
- Report any suspicious activities to the Police Department.
Adopt, as appropriate, the same techniques used to prepare for earthquakes, fires and other emergencies.
- Be prepared and observe your environment. Terrorists most often strike with little or no warning.
- Use caution when you travel. Observe and report unusual activity. Keep your packages with you at all times. Do not accept packages from strangers.
- Locate stairways and emergency exits and develop plans for evacuating buildings, subways and crowded public areas.
If you live or work in multi-level buildings:
- Identify the location of fire exits and review emergency evacuation procedures. Locate and maintain fire extinguishers in working order. Train responsible personnel on how to use them.
- Obtain training in first aid and CPR.
- Practice emergency procedures.
Assemble and maintain an emergency supply kit for each floor that includes those items listed on the back of this brochure. Also compile essential emergency preparedness items in backpacks for emergency response team members.
back to top DURING AN ATTACK Prepare for the possibility of a terrorist incident in your area. If there’s an explosion:
Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause a person to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
back to top
PROTECTIVE ACTIONS
Protective actions are actions we take to safeguard our family members and ourselves from harm. The most common emergency protective actions are evacuation and shelter-in-place.
- Evacuation means to leave the area of actual or potential hazard.
- Shelter-in-place means to stay indoors. This includes additional precautions such as turning off air-conditioning, ventilation systems, and fireplace vents, and closing all windows and doors.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
- Remain calm. Be aware of your surroundings.
- Have a Family Preparedness Plan.
- Stay informed.
- If an evacuation is ordered, follow the instructions of local officials regarding evacuation routes and the location of shelters.
- If shelter-in-place is recommended, local officials will provide instructions on necessary actions.
Do not leave your sheltered location or return to the evacuated area until it is deemed safe to do so by local officials.
back to top ANTHRAX EXPOSURE INFORMATION Current events have caused much concern over the possibility of Anthrax contamination or exposure. The Culver City Fire Department would like residents to be informed and aware. It’s important to remain calm if a possible threat should occur. The following is a guideline for immediate procedures you must take following your exposure to suspected Anthrax!
A common mode of dispersing Anthrax has been via mail delivery. Recognition of suspicious letters or packages is therefore, vital.
The following may be indications of suspicious letters or packages:
- Have any powdery substance on the outside
- Unexpected mail or mail unfamiliar to you (foreign mail, air mail and special delivery)
- Restrictive markings such as Confidential, Personal, etc.
- Excessive postage on the mail or package
- Hand written or poorly typed addresses
- Incorrect titles
- Title but no names
- Misspellings of common words
- Oily stains or discolorations
- No return address
- Excessive weight
- Rigid envelope
- Lopsided or uneven envelope
- Protruding wires or tinfoil
- Excessive securing material
- Visual distractions
If you receive a letter or package that appears suspicious:
DO NOT OPEN, SHAKE OR BUMP IT!
CALL THE CULVER CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
- Remain calm
- Do not let anyone touch, taste or smell it
- Isolate the powder immediately
- Isolate the area
- Avoid further exposure and inhalation of any airborne particles
- Wash your hands immediately with soap and water
- Close the door to the room, turn off air conditioning or heating systems
- Keep plastic bags in your office to help isolate the letter
Call the Culver City Police Department (911)
back to top DOMESTIC TERRORISM PREPAREDNESS Images of airliners used as missiles in terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as bombing attacks on the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City and the Olympic Centennial Park in Atlanta, are hard to forget.
These terrorist events caused thousands of deaths and injuries and billions of dollars in property losses. They have also inflicted a huge emotional toll within the impacted communities as well as throughout the world.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines terrorism as “the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.” A significant terrorism threat, we face today, is that of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and these consist of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) weapons.
Although bombing has been the most popular method used in terrorist incidents in the United States, terrorism can occur in several forms. In recent years, terrorists throughout the world have used arson, hostile takeovers and shootings to attain their political and social goals.
Terrorists could use chemical or biological agents. Because the impact of exposure to some organisms, toxins and other biological agents may not cause an immediate illness or reaction, it may take some time for government officials to determine that such an attack has occurred.
In the event of an attack, government officials will instruct residents on what actions they are taking and what actions the public should take. It’s important that you remain calm, cooperate fully with local officials and do not try to be a hero. Failure to follow instructions from local officials could cost you and others their lives.
In the event of a chemical or biological attack, instructions will be provided by local public health and safety officials on personal protection, decontamination and health warnings via the Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcast over radio and television as well as print media.
back to top COMBATING TERRORISM To combat the threat or terrorism, emergency services officials representing all levels of government are working together to develop and implement effective strategies for deterring, preventing and responding to incidents. Along with the City of Culver City, these agencies have provided information about terrorism and what to do to prepare for and cope with emergencies.