Department of Public Safety
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 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is terrorism? Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the United States for purposes of intimidation, coercion or ransom. Terrorists often use threats to create fear among the public, to try to convince citizens that their government is powerless to prevent terrorism, and to get immediate publicity for their causes. What are the types of terrorism in the United States? Domestic terrorism involves groups or individuals whose terrorist activities are directed at elements of our government or population without foreign direction. International terrorism involves groups or individuals whose terrorist activities are foreign based and/or directed by countries or groups outside the United States or whose activities transcend national boundaries. What are the most common terrorist methods used in the United States? Most attacks in the U.S. have been bombing attacks, involving detonated and non-detonated devices, tear gas and pipe and firebombs. A terrorist attack can take several forms, depending on the technological means available to the terrorist, the nature of the political issue motivating the attack, and the points of weakness of the terrorist's target. What are the effects of terrorism? The effects of terrorism can vary significantly from loss of life and injuries to property damage and disruptions in services such as electricity, water supply, public transportation and communications. Are we prepared in Vermont for a terrorist incident? Vermont officials are confident that we are better prepared today to handle a terrorist incident than we have ever been before. We will never be able to say that today is the day that we are totally prepared. Rather, our preparations will be a continual ongoing process.
Is Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant safe? Safety is the top priority of the utility that operates Vermont Yankee. The plant has contingency plans and support agreements with state/local law enforcement and Vermont Emergency Management in the unlikely event of a terrorist attack. This includes evacuation plans for the surrounding areas. These plans are updated regularly and exercised several times a year. The State of Vermont, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) monitor Vermont Yankee's existing security practices and provide feedback for future security and operational planning. What is being done to protect these plants? The plants are guarded 24 hours by armed security personnel. On September 11th, the utility companies increased the security at all power facilities including nuclear plants. Nuclear plants are designed with multiple levels of security and are among the most secure facilities in the United States. The chance that a terrorist attack on a nuclear facility would result in a large release of radioactive material is extremely low. Can nuclear plants withstand a commercial jet liner crash? Nuclear plants can not be guaranteed to withstand every form of attack that is imaginable. The concrete containment structures, coupled with redundant safety and plant shutdown systems, are designed to withstand most natural disasters and potential terrorist threats. Is our water safe? Contamination of reservoirs is unlikely because dilution of the agent would render it ineffective. Terrorists would need to disperse tons of an agent into the water to have an effect. This would require truckloads of chemical or biological agents that are difficult to produce and relatively easy to detect. In addition the purification processes and tests of the water would provide some protection against biological agents. What is biological terrorism? Bioterrorism is the use or threatened use of bacteria, viruses, or toxins as weapons. How easy would it be for terrorists to conduct a biological attack? This has been a topic of hot debate for the last several years and there continues to be concern about the possible use of these weapons. However, terrorists can not count on just filling the delivery system with an agent, pointing the device and flipping the switch to activate it. Biological agents are extremely sensitive to sunlight, humidity, pollutants in the atmosphere, and temperature. Exposure to any or all of these will render the biological agent ineffective. What diseases can be used as biological weapons? Although there are a number of diseases that could be used as weapons, those of most concern are anthrax, smallpox, botulism and plague. Each of these diseases has a variety of symptoms, treatments and outcomes. Should I buy a gas mask or keep my own supply of antibiotics? No! While there has been a great deal of media attention on biological terrorism the threat remains low. For complete protection, a gas mask it would need to be worn all day every day. Failure to properly maintain a gas mask or improper wearing of the mask may actually result in a greater exposure to harmful agents. There is no justification in taking or keeping your own supply of antibiotics. Antibiotics can cause side effects and should only be taken with medical supervision. Keeping a supply on hand can also pose a problem due to their limited shelf life before they lose their strength. In the event of a bioterrorist attack, health authorities and law enforcement would conduct a rapid investigation, attempt to determine the place and time of the release, and identify individuals who need antibiotics. In the event of a bioterrorist attack, the Federal government would coordinate with the Vermont Department of Health Department for the large scale distribution of antibiotics. What is a chemical emergency? A major chemical emergency can release a dangerous amount of chemicals into the environment. These accidents sometimes result in a fire or explosion, but many times you can not see or smell anything unusual. Some chemicals that are safe, and even helpful in small amounts, can be harmful in larger quantities or under certain conditions. Chemical accidents happen on a daily basis both at home and in the community. You can be exposed to chemicals in a variety of ways; breathing the chemical, swallowing contaminated food, water or medication, or touching the chemical or coming into contact with clothing or things that have touched the chemical. How will I be notified of a chemical emergency? In the event of a major chemical emergency, you will be notified by authorities. To get your attention, a siren could sound, you may be called by telephone, or emergency personnel may drive by and give instructions over a loudspeaker. Officials could even come to your door. Listen carefully to radio or television emergency alert stations (EAS) and strictly follow instructions. Do not call the telephone company, EMS, 911 or the operator for information. Dial these numbers only for a possible life threatening emergency. What types of protective actions could be used? One of the basic instructions you may be given in a chemical emergency is to "shelter in place". This is a precaution to keep you and your family safe while remaining in your home. If you are told to shelter in place:
Authorities may decide to evacuate an area for your protection. Again, it is important to stay calm, listen carefully and follow all instructions. If you are told to evacuate, listen to your radio to make sure that the evacuation order applies to you and to determine if you are to evacuate immediately or if you have time to pack some essentials. Do not use your telephone. If you are told to evacuate immediately, move quickly and calmly and take the following with you:
Check on neighbors to make sure they have been notified, and offer to help those with disabilities or special needs. If you need a ride, ask a neighbor. If no neighbor is available to help you, listen to the emergency broadcast station for further instructions. Take only one car to the evacuation site. Close your car windows and air vents and turn off the heater or air conditioner. Do not take shortcuts because a shortcut may put you in the path of danger. For your safety follow the exact route you are told to take. What are we doing in Vermont today to prevent a terrorist attack? State and local law enforcement are working closely with federal agencies to deter, detect and stop possible terrorist activity in Vermont. Would Vermont be a likely terrorist target? No community is immune to attack. Historically (and as we have recently witnessed) terrorists target symbols of American political, economic or military power. As security is tightened around the more visible communities (NYC, Washington, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles) terrorists may be encouraged to seek less secure targets. That is why our ongoing efforts to enhance security and prepare to respond are so important. Has security been strengthened at the Canadian border? Yes, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs, U.S Immigration and Naturalization , Vermont National Guard, VT State Police, sheriff's departments and local police are working together to ensure that Vermont's border with Canada is as safe and secure as possible. Increased security measures include deployment of Vermont National Guard, detailed vehicle inspections, and aggressive commercial vehicle inspections as well as in depth checking of personal identification. |