Nuclear Bio Terrorism Eli Dabich BP22
Purpose of Presentation Background of Threats What are these threats How to identify the threats How to prepare for the threats How do these threats fit in with Risk Management and Business Continuity Question and Answers
Purpose of Presentation World largely uneducated and, therefore, unprepared for Nuclear Bio Terrorism attack Only thing we have to fear is fear itself FDR, 1937 Knowledge about threats will result in less panic and casualties if an attack occurs Protect your organization and employees Plan for threats through organizational Risk and Vulnerability assessment and Business Continuity Planning
Background of Threats Recent National Intelligence Estimate report Terrorist threats to U. S. Homeland In 2007 prior Head of National Intelligence said al Qaeda is determined to attack the USA with either nuclear, biological or chemical weapons. al Qaeda is determined to launch a mass casualty spectacular event on U. S. soil. 2008 SAGA survey indicates nuclear terrorism is America s top fear 74% 2008 report that U.S. Military is not prepared for catastrophic attack
Background of Threats Domestic terrorism threat is increasing Ricin in Las Vegas Hotel Room 2008 Radiological Threat in NYC 2007 DC Metro Shut Down 2007 According to IAEA 15 known instances of illegal trafficking of enriched uranium or plutonium between 1993 and 2006 67% not recovered
Background of Threats Government/Non Government Interventions Extended Terrorism Reinsurance Backup Consolidation of Federal Agency Bio-surveillance Data Base 2007 law calling for voluntary certification programs for corporate readiness ERM Risk Rating for non-financial companies
What Are the Threats? The four most frequently mentioned mass casualty threats are: Nuclear Radiological Chemical Biological
Questions Which of the four potential mass casualty threats (Nuclear, Radiological, Chemical and Biological) would likely result in the most mass casualties?
Nuclear Bombs Threat Initiated by conventional explosives Need to achieve critical mass Uncontrolled chain reaction occurs Symptoms Intense heat, light, shock wave Radiation alpha, beta and gamma Emergency Preparation/Response Bunker/safe room/physical shield Location and distance from target is key Cover nose, mouth and eyes
Dirty Bombs (RDDs) - Radiological Not a nuclear bomb weapon of mass disruption Explosive wrapped in radioactive material, therefore, radiation material dispersed over immediate area Type of radiation alpha, beta and gamma Over 21,000 organizations in U. S. licensed to use radioactive material Symptoms Explosion panic Some radioactivity Emergency Preparation/Response Turn off HVAC ASAP Use mask to cover nose and mouth, don t touch material, use gloves Move upwind, go inside, bag clothes and shower
Chemical Threats Key Definitions Not true gases but aerosolized solids or liquids Volatility ability to evaporate Persistence ability to stay Six Types of Chemical Threats Blister Mustard gas Nerve Sarin Choking Chlorine, Phosgene Blood Hydrogen cyanide Incapacitating/Behavior altering QNB Riot Control Tear Gas
Chemical Threats Preparation/Symptoms Special clothing needed, upwind, protect skin, mask Dead animals/birds Lack of insect life Physical symptoms Unexplained odors Geographical illness
Biological Threat Agents Threat Agents Easy to acquire synthesize and use No reliable and immediate detection system exist Covert application Flu/Spanish Flu in 1918, 50 million died Type Agents Anthrax Plague Cholera Smallpox Ricin
Biological Threat Agents Preparation/Response Mask Upwind, cover skin Turn off HVAC Seal windows and doors Shower thoroughly Inoculation Symptoms Dead animals/birds/fish Lack of insect life Physical Symptoms Low lying clouds Unexplained odors Patterns of mass casualties, geographical»
What is Difference Between a Radiological, Nuclear Threat, Chemical, or Biological? Radiological requires days to weeks to determine Nuclear Threat explosion may be first clue Chemical rapid onset of medical systems (minutes to hours) with easily observed characteristics pungent odor, dead foliage, colored residue, dead insects/animals Biological requires days to weeks and typically has no pronounced characteristics, therefore, area of impact may be large
Back to the Original Question Which of these four potential threats would likely result in the most mass casualties?
Strategies to Survive a Mass Casualty Threat Perform a risk and vulnerability assessment At a minimum, develop a Business Continuity Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan Plan for the worse, easy to scale recovery for lesser disaster Train for reality Communicate plans in simple terms Educate, Educate, Educate!
Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Quantitative BIA Financial Operational Prioritization Downtime estimate Resource requirement Regulators Insurance Qualitative Loss of: Competitive advantage Public support Employees
Business Continuity Plan Should Include at a Minimum Scenarios and alert levels Provisions for employees and their families safety Identify Key Business Processes with ranking Recovery Time Objectives rank of Key Business Processes by RTO Alternative work sites who goes where and what processes go Emergency Communication Plans for different scenarios
Next Steps Risk and Vulnerability assessment Review your organization s Business Continuity Plan, capabilities versus recovery requirement Identify gaps in plan versus capability Update plans Train employees Test plans
Contact Synergy Associates synergyassociates.net West Jeanette T. Smith Synergyjts2@gmail.com 818-261-6658 East Eli Dabich, Jr. edabich@gmail.com 410-643-5563