Planning for a Terrorist Emergency

Preparing for a disaster at American Universities and Colleges has changed dramatically. Prior to September 11th higher education institutions merely planned for natural disasters. American soil in no longer as safe as it once was. In addition to preparing for tornados, preparing for hurricanes, preparing for earthquakes, and preparing for fires there is need to prepare for a terrorist attack. A natural disaster is an event of nature that takes human lives or destroys property. In contrast, a terrorist attack is a man-made event that takes human lives and destroys property. Terrorist attacks appear in many forms biological terrorism, chemical terrorism, explosive terrorism, nuclear terrorism, and radiation terrorism.

Data gathered from FEMA confirmed that the majority of terrorist attacks were explosive. In 2002 there were a total of 199 international terrorist attacks against buildings. Out the 199, 70% of the attacks were bombings (Brown & Lowe 1-16). Since actions taken to plan for explosive attacks are similar to preparing and planning for other types of attacks, explosive attack recommendations and supplies would be sufficient to handle such emergencies.

Knoy Hall on the well-regarded campus of Purdue University is emergency planning for a terrorist attack. There are many variable involved that make emergency planning for an explosive attack difficult, including the number of individuals in or around the targeted structure and the tactics used by terrorists to implement an explosive attack. The different approaches to planning will be discussed in depth later in the report. Following the implementation of the recommendations in this report Knoy Hall will be prepared for an explosive attack.

Brief Overview

Research by U.S. Home Land Security and FEMA has revealed that it's possible to implement an effective plan for a terrorist based emergency. Several avenues were researched to better prepare for the emergency. The course of action that is selected must be well thought out. Instead of preparing the entire campus, the emergency plan is for the school of technology building, Knoy Hall. There are a large number of students, a large number of Purdue faculty members, and a large number of staff that utilize Knoy Hall. Campus police and fire department may not have ample supplies to handle a large scaled attack. Therefore a number of tasks have to be completed to prepare Knoy Hall for a terrorist attack.

Ð'* Supplies must be purchased and stored.

Ð'* A storage facility for emergency items must be purchased and constructed.

Ð'* Financial support for the emergency plan has to be thought out and sought after thoroughly.

Ð'* Medical needs of persons in or around the structure as to be researched.

Ð'* Take in account of the adjoining structures and structures in close proximity.

 Michael Golden Engineering Laboratories and Shops

 Nuclear Engineering Building

Ð'* Evaluate the structural integrity of existing columns, beams, walls, and roof and floor systems.

Ð'* Renovate Knoy Hall if it's not up to code.

Ð'* Develop Knoy Emergency and Security Services whose purpose is to secure and prepare Knoy Hall.

Approaches for Planning

Insightful information was gathered from the U.S. Home Land Security and FEMA. We are taking the approach that Knoy Emergency and Security Services and government agencies can work as a team to complete task needed to prevent and respond to a terrorist attack. Based upon information gathered from FEMA's reference manual, Mitigating Potential Terrorist attacks against buildings we found that its more likely the attack would be a bombing of some kind (Brown & Lowe 1-66). FEMA stated we must first identify the possible means of bombing to better plan for a terrorist attack (Brown & Lowe 1-66). The terrorist threat could be a stationary vehicle, moving vehicle, or delivered by way of mail. In addition the explosive device could be thrown, placed or even strapped to a person's body. The detonation of the device could be remotely activated, a timed count down or explode instantaneously.

Types of terrorist explosive devices:

Ð'* car bombs

Ð'* laser guided missiles

Ð'* inexpensive aircraft armed with explosives

Ð'* dynamite

Ð'* suicide bomber

Ð'* grenades(rocket and hand propelled)

Ð'* shoulder launched missiles

Ð'* crude pipe bombs

Ð'* plastic explosives

Ð'* composite

FEMA stated that there is a possibility that terrorist could detonate more than one explosive devise. That is why it's vital that the police and fire department secure the area to minimize fatalities and injuries. Occupants of Knoy Hall should evacuate immediately and then head for designated safe zone. The designated safe zone should be Purdue's Memorial Mall, since it is an area large enough to hold well over 6000 people. If occupants cannot

reach safe zone, than we suggest heading to an area that is at least 100 feet from Knoy Hall.

Preventive Measures

Because there are various numbers of explosives that could be used in an attack; we must strive to prevent the attack from taking place. Prevention is the most logical form of protection. By limiting access to Knoy as well as constructing and placing concrete or steel columns around the perimeter could deter a terrorist attack. The more easily accessible a building is the more likely it would be a target. It is vital we renovate Knoy to prevent catastrophic outcomes similar to September 11th. The following is a list of ways an attack could be prevented:

Ð'* install surveillance cameras equipped with motion sensors

Ð'* install surveillance cameras on the interior and exterior of the building

Ð'* produce a team of security and emergency services to