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Lanita A. Lloyd
Deputy Director
140 North Marietta Pkwy.
Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: 770-499-4567
Fax: 770-499-4558
ema@cobbcounty.org
Cobb Emergency Management Agency (EMA)
Preparedness
Being prepared for terrorism: Tips on security
The threats of terrorism can take many forms, but you can take many simple steps to keep safe. Even during the worst scenarios, you can take action to reduce the dangers to yourself or others.
- Wherever you are, be aware of your surroundings.
- Take precautions when traveling. Be aware of conspicuous or unusual behavior. Do not accept packages from strangers. Do not leave luggage unattended.
- Report unusual behavior, suspicious packages and strange devices should be reported promptly to the police or security personnel.
- Do not be afraid to move or leave if you feel uncomfortable or if something does not seem right.
- Learn where emergency exits are located in buildings you frequent. Notice where exits are in unfamiliar buildings. Plan how to get out of a building, subway or congested public area. Note where staircases are located. Notice heavy or breakable objects that could move, fall or break in an explosion.
- Be familiar with types of fire extinguishers and how to locate them. Know the location and availability of hard hats in buildings in which you spend a lot of time.
- Assemble a disaster supplies kit at home and learn first aid. Separate the supplies you would take if you had to evacuate quickly and put them in a backpack or container, ready to go.
Cyber attacks target computer or telecommunication networks of critical infrastructures such as power systems, traffic control systems or financial systems.
Cyber attacks target information technologies in three different ways. First is a direct attack against a system through the wires, known as hacking.
Second, the attack can be a physical assault against a critical element. Third, the attack can be from the inside as a result of compromising a trusted person with system access.
- Be prepared to do without services you normally depend on that could be disrupted – electricity, telephone, natural gas, gasoline pumps, cash registers, ATM machines and internet transactions.
- Be prepared to respond to official instructions if a cyber attack triggers other hazards; for example, general evacuation, evacuation to shelter, or shelter in place, because of hazardous materials releases, nuclear power plant incidents, dam or flood control system failures.
In case of a chemical or biological weapon attack near you, authorities will instruct you on the best course of action. This may be to evacuate the area immediately, to seek shelter at a designated location or take immediate shelter where you are and seal the premises.
The best way to protect yourself is to take emergency preparedness measures ahead of time and to get medical attention as soon as possible, if needed. Have a version of your disaster supplies kit at work. If instructed to remain where you are:
- Turn off all ventilation, including furnaces, air conditioners, vents and fans.
- Seek shelter in an internal room, preferably one without windows. Seal the room with duct tape and plastic sheeting. Ten square feet of floor space per person will provide sufficient air to prevent carbon dioxide build-up for up to five hours.
- Remain in protected areas where toxic vapors are reduced or eliminated, and be sure to take your battery-operated radio with you.
- Get upwind of the contamination.
- Find shelter as quickly as possible.
- Listen to your radio for official instructions.
Immediate symptoms of exposure to chemical agents may include blurred vision, eye irritation, difficulty breathing and nausea. A person affected by a chemical or biological agent requires immediate medical attention.
If medical help is not immediately available, decontaminate yourself and others. Decontamination is needed within minutes of exposure to minimize health consequences. (You should not leave a shelter to go outdoors to help others until authorities announce it is safe.)
Use extreme caution when helping others exposed to chemicals
- Remove all clothing and other items in contact with the body. Contaminated clothing normally removed over the head should be cut off to avoid contact with the eyes, nose and mouth.
- Put the clothes in a plastic bag if possible. Decontaminate hands using soap and water. Remove eyeglasses or contacts. Put glasses in household bleach to decontaminate.
- Remove all items in contact with the body.
- Flush eyes with lots of water.
- Gently wash face and hair with soap and water; then thoroughly rinse with water.
- Decontaminate other body areas likely to have been contaminated. Blot (do not swab or scrape) with a cloth soaked in soapy water and rinse with clear water.
- Change into uncontaminated clothes. Clothing stored in drawers or closets is likely to be uncontaminated.
- If possible, go to a medical facility.
In many biological attacks, people will not know they have been exposed to an agent.
The first evidence of an attack may be when you notice symptoms of the disease caused by an agent exposure and you should seek immediate medical treatment.
In some situations, like the anthrax letters sent in 2001, people may be alerted to a potential exposure. If this is the case, pay close attention to all official warnings and instructions. Medical services for a biological event may be handled differently because of increased demand. It will be important for you to pay attention to official instructions via radio, television and emergency alert systems.
If your skin or clothing comes in contact with a visible, potentially infectious substance, you should remove and bag your clothes, personal items and wash yourself with warm soapy water immediately. Put on clean clothes and seek medical help.
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