Terrorism

Instead of the color-coded advisory system that's been in place since 2002, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will now issue detailed alerts for credible threats of terrorist attacks in the United States.

Threats will be classified as "Elevated" if there's no specific information about timing or location, or Imminent if the threat is believed to be occurring very soon.

• Overview of the New System
• Sample of New Alert (PDF) 
• Frequently Asked Questions 
           

• Hospital Bomb Threat Self-Assessment      
• Surge Capacity for Terrorist Bombings (Homeland Security)
• Blast Injury Fact Sheets (CDC)
• Bomb Threat Checklist (FBI)
• Preparedness & Response to a Mass Casualty Event Resulting from Terrorist Use of Explosives (CDC)

This Burn Resource Manual has been created as a tool for use by the Emergency Departments in all Los Angeles County Hospitals. The materials were developed and/or selected from the burn literature by a Burn Task Force. This Burn Task Force was created by the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency. This multi-disciplinary group included the Medical Directors and Administrative Nurses from the three burn centers in Los Angeles County, one center in Orange County and one center in San Bernardino county and representatives of the Emergency Medical Services Agency.

• Download the Los Angeles County Burn Resource Manual

The California State Terrorism Threat Assessment System is an Information Sharing partnership of Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies throughout California. The System connects Suspicious Activity Reporting of incidents that have a possible Terrorism or Homeland Security nexus with law enforcement statewide through a network of interconnected Regional Terrorism Threat Assessment Centers (RTTACs) in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento.

These Regional Centers are directly connected to the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and provide regional analysis and assessment of events, including patterns and trends, to deter, detect and prevent terrorism in California. Additionally, the State Terrorism Threat Assessment Center (STTAC), also in Sacramento, is a partnership of the California Highway Patrol and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, whose focus is statewide analysis of incidents, trends and patterns to help identify larger threats and protect key and critical infrastructure.

• View Office of Homeland Security Letter on Suspicious Activity Reporting for California Hospitals

CDC has developed "Radiological Terrorism: A Tool Kit for Emergency Services" through audience research, significant gaps in knowledge and skills among clinicians regarding their ability to respond to a radiological emergency, particularly one related to terrorism and involving mass casualties. This is a critical need since clinicians in hospital emergency departments would serve as the first receivers of casualties, and other clinicians would present to the emergency department in order to assist. There are numerous issues related to disaster and mass casualty management that are unique to dealing with radiation exposure and contamination, and CDC understands the need to provide education and information to help clinicians better manage such an event.

The tool kit includes several items that may be useful for emergency services clinicians.

• "Radiological Terrorism: A Tool Kit for Emergency Services Clinicians" 

This Information Bulletin contains information gained from federal, state and local public safety sources with expertise in explosives and response to explosives incidents. As with any public safety issue, local agencies must determine local policies and procedures. Note that a subsequent Information Bulletin will be issued, to include information for use when responding to a suspected bomber, if the call is received prior to an actual detonation.

• Response Guidelines: Suicide/Homicide Bombing Scene