ECOMM IN POST 9/11 Pt7

During an emergency, it is vital that your complete focus be on any task at hand. Before you should even consider becoming involved in emergency response, or if your business takes you away from where you live, you must make sure that your family can function at home without you. If this is not the case, if your family can not be comfortable without your support, you might be more concerned about your family's welfare back at home and this worry might cause undue stress if you are away on business or it might effect your ability to properly carry out your emergency duties.. The term "family first" is very important.

First, in order to allow greater security you must develop for your family what I call a "home bag". A "home bag" is a collection of items that your family might need to help them through an emergency situation while you are away. It will also make things easier when you are home with them. You must always bear in mind that a small, local event, such as a wildfire or river flooding, might easily expand and encompass a greater area lasting for a longer period of time. If you are away on an assignment, or just out of town, and your family has the proper supplies, information and family training, it will make your absence less stressful because you know they will be better prepared.

duct tape , at least two rolls. Duct tape has many uses from sealing things you wish to protect to preventing windows from shattering during a violent storm. You should tape a large "X" on each large window pane. Obtain several flashlights to use just for your homebag. (Nothing is worse than a flashlight with dead batteries because you used the light for everyday use.) I like using portable (camping) fluorescent lights because they use less energy for the amount of light they produce so their batteries will last longer. There is also an LED-type flashlight that recharges when you shake it. You can get either of these in the sporting goods department of any large store. Be sure to include several changes of batteries for each flashlight. (Buy them fresh, keep them stored in plastic bags in the event they leak. That stuff about freezing batteries so they'll last a lot longer is nonsense because the moisture condensation on the refrigerated batteries will form a small discharge circuit between the terminals) You will also need enough bottled water for at least 5 days, a battery-operated AM/FM radio with extra batteries, a roll of heavy plastic sheathing that you can cut and apply to any window area that does break, a heavy-duty staple gun with extra staples, canned or jarred food that needs no heating such as canned fruits, powdered milk, other non-perishable food such as "power bars", candles (use with extreme care and never unattended), a lighter and several boxes or books of matches, a disposable rain poncho for each family member (brightly colored so you can be seen in the dark by on-coming cars if your vehicle breaks down and you have to walk), basic hand tools such as a hammer, cutters etc, prescription and non-prescription medication (enough for 5-7 days), cash, in case your family needs to buy additional supplies and ATMs are defunct, a decent first-aid kit, a note pad (large spiral type), pens and markers, a battery powered digital clock , three rolls of 1000 sheet single ply toilet tissue and any supplies/food and food bowl/leashes for your pet.

Review the items you have collected with your family. There may be other items they might wish to include that will make them feel more secure. Perhaps a deck of cards or some games should be included in the event they have to evacuate to a shelter. The time spent in a shelter can be long and boring. They might need a book or cards to take their minds off what they think might be transpiring back at home. We call these things "comfort items" and they can go a long way in relieving some of the stress your family might experience.A list of contact phone numbers of other family members or friends. A local area and state map.

Each member of your family should also have on them at all times a list of phone numbers of friends, relatives and phone numbers of your local Red Cross, Salvation Army, and fire, police and rescue numbers along with quarters to use a pay phone. Develop a sequential list of places to stay (shelter) if the need should arise that they have to evacuate from your home. Also, you should plan an additional place to meet if an emergency develops in your area and you are located elsewhere and are unable to get home. This might be a relative's home or a friend who lives nearby, but not in your area. In the event of possible flooding, such as may be the case during a hurricane, severe spring thaw or a series of intense storms, make sure that each location you choose is above any flood range and can be reached without having to drive through any low-lying areas. Plan such a route and practice driving it. Make sure that your family's vehicle always has at least a half tank of gas AND that all adult members of your family know how to change a flat tire. Always keep a can of heavy-duty "flat fixer" in the trunk of your vehicle. Store both a local area and state map in the glove compartment and in your "home bag" so your family can locate any shelter, or home, if their own evacuation needs to take place. Buy and keep in your car a decent set of jumper cables and teach your family how to properly use them.

IF THE NEED TO EVACUATE SHOULD OCCUR, MAKE SURE THAT YOUR FAMILY KNOWS TO TAKE THEIR "HOME BAG" WITH THEM. They will need it. If they have to leave, make sure they lock up their house as tightly as they can and leave at least one light and a radio on (if you have power). Make sure they leave a note, IN A CONCEALED LOCATION that only family members know, so if any of your family returns home they know where the other family members are located. By keeping it in a concealed location, it will reduce the risk of any robbers spending a longer amount of time ransacking your home. If they think you are just down the street, when they hear a radio on, they might pass your house by. If they know you are in an evacuation center by reading some note you left on the fridge.... it's "Christmas time" for them. There are, I am sad to say, people out there who prey upon families during disasters. Not to sound commercial, but GE sells a good, self-contained motion sensing alarm system that is keypad controlled. It uses 4 "AA" batteries so no need to worry about power outages when you aren't home. It emits a VERY loud siren that will chase anyone out of your empty home. It sells for about 25 dollars and is well worth it. (GE "SmartHome" Keypad Controlled Motion Sensing Alarm) Mount the alarm eye-level on the first floor in a major "traffic area" such as the living room or hallway. Test it once a month.

During an emergency, teach your family that no matter how frightened they might become not to fall for "srories" that might be told to them by strangers. There have been cases where people try to persuade family members to give their home address so they can "drive by" and make sure your house is intact. What they really intend on doing is to rob your home, knowing that no one is there. Never give your keys, address or phone number out to anyone. The only exception is giving your name to verified emergency personnel at the shelter. And even then, use common sense. The Red Cross is covered by law and will NOT give any information to anyone, even the police. If your family does go to a shelter make sure that even their "small talk" with strangers doesn't lead a path back to harm them or their property. Also tell them never to give another person at a shelter medication, not even an aspirin. That is called "dispensing medication" and only a registered nurse or doctor can do that. Don't open yourself up for a lawsuit. If you do decide to go to a shelter, keep an eye on your children. It usually is a public place, such as a school, so they eventually will have to use the public restrooms. Make sure they don't go alone. Escort them AFTER asking a shelter worker to watch your personal items. Keep your valuables and keys with you at all times.

We are fortunate to live in a country that quickly rebounds from disaster so most of the time things will quickly return to normal. If there are children in your family it might be a good idea if the adult of the family group that is evacuating tries to make it appear as if it's either an "adventure" or a mini-vacation. In doing so it will help keep the children calm. Make time before you evacuate to have your children pick out their favorite toy or stuffed animal to bring with them. Some children feel more secure if they sleep on their own pillow, so bring them. Make sure you also bring changes of clothing, packed in a suitcase. This will lend to the illusion that you are going on a "vacation" and your children will be less stressed. (Don't forget the coloring books and crayons! And by the way, you might find coloring as good therapy for yourself.)

You might also want to do some simple training with your family, such as taking them through the steps of covering a window with plastic sheathing and stapling it in place. Show them how to reload more staples in the gun. It's better they learn how to do this on a sunny day, so they will be better equipped to do the real thing under stress during a storm. Remind them that the safe way to use candles is by keeping them far away from anything that they might ignite, such as drapes, and use sturdy bases to hold them. NEVER leave a lit candle unattended. This includes keeping them away from snooping pets. I have large candles that are encased in heavy glass. They are the same type as those inexpensive glass encased religious candles that you might have seen, only the glass is clear. These candles last longer and are safer to use than thin "dinner mood" candles. I am not a big fan of using candles but there may be an extended period of time where the loss of power to your home may force you to use candles when your battery operated lights have been depleted. All of the items that are listed above can be stored in a large plastic bin with a snap-on cover. These storage bins can be purchased at any "Walmart", "K-Mart" or any hardware or discount store. Keep your family's "home bag" in a dry, cool location. Every year replace all the batteries and food/bottled water in your "home bag". It's a small price to pay for peace of mind.

If your family is remaining at home (also called "Sheltering In"), make sure they know enough to always keep doors and windows on the first floor locked. Never allow anyone entrance into your home unless it is a uniformed police or fire official, they show ID and they drive up in an official car. Never allow a child to answer the door. There have been cases where robbers will try to force their way into your home under the guise of being an emergency official. Do not fall for that trick. If there are any elderly people living in your neighborhood, advise them of the same. At night if you have power, keep some sort of light on so it shows that there is some activity in your home.

During strong storms there will be an attraction to go to the window to look at what is going on outside. Most children, and some adults, are fascinated by this. Fight the urge to do so and remain away from any window. Windows shatter, as do eyes, from flying glass. A window can easily be replaced, eyes cannot. Keep all blinds closed as this will add to protection should something happen. The blinds will deflect most of the broken glass that might otherwise harm you. Remain on the ground floor because it will offer better protection during severe storms. You don't want to be on the second floor of a home during a storm and be struck by a falling limb that breaks through your roof. This is rare, but it can happen. During the spring, make sure to have any tree limbs that come close to your home properly trimmed by an expert. Limbs covered with heavy wet snow or coated with ice can be very dangerous if they snap during a windy storm and come crashing through a roof or window. Also make sure that they are trimmed away from your power lines, again by a professional.

Make sure that your family keeps a radio on so they can be alerted to any changing conditions of the emergency. In the case of a hurricane they can track it's path. In the case of wildfires they might be alerted if the wind direction changes and they have to evacuate. If you have a child of "middle school age", give them the responsibility of being a "reporter" by having them listen to the radio and write down any important details which may come up. This way, it will give them something they feel is useful to do and will help them pass the time with "busy work". Just make sure you also listen to the radio for the right facts, but don't let them know. Keep a special ear on any information during a wildfire. You might have to evacuate, but driving directly to a shelter might take you right into the fire's path if you don't know exactly where the fire has spread to. During a wildfire threat, mark on a map, based upon information from news sources, where the fire's coverage is so you can avoid it if evacuation needs to take place.

I hope you have learned that by properly preparing for an event it will lessen the impact it has upon you. If you are thinking that there is no need to develop a "home bag" for your family because your area is never visited by hurricanes then you are quite mistaken. There are other "like events" that can become just as threatening no matter where you live. A freak snowstorm could block the path from your home to the closest town. A mudslide might cut off your family from the rest of civilization. Tornadoes? Wildfires? Earthquakes? Spring thaw floods? Toxic chemical spills that happen on almost a weekly basis? As you can see, there are many threats above and beyond hurricanes that make it important that you build your family a home bag and keep it up to date.

Might I suggest that if you live in an area, such as Florida, any Gulf Coast Area and the Carolinas, where there are constant threats from hurricanes, that you take two preventive measures which might save you from heartache. Neither suggestion will make your home "hurricane proof" so when there is a call to evacuate GET OUT!!! It will, however, greatly improve the chances that you will have a house to come back to. (GET OUT EARLY BEFORE THE WEATHER GETS TOO BAD OR THE STREETS BECOME JAMMED WITH CARS!! IF THERE IS SEVERE WEATHER, DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH AREAS YOU KNOW FLOOD EARLY)

NUMBER ONE: In the Spring, get some 1/2 inch exterior plywood and pre-cut and label pieces which will cover each of your home's windows. On the exterior of your home install 6-8 lag screws per window perimeter that also have threaded "machine screw" ends so that when the time to secure windows arrives all you have to do is slip the pre-cut plywood (with pre-drilled holes that match up with the lag bolts) over the proper window and tighten them down with washers and wing nuts. (You can follow the same steps to protect any doors, such as glass sliding patio doors. If the door is too big, if possible, piece the plywood in horizontal sections.) This method of using lag screws into the window perimeter with machine threads on the exposed section of the hardware and washers with wingnuts makes installing and removing them easier than cutting plywood and nailing or drilling when the hurricane is bearing down on you. The boards can be stacked when not in use and can be stored just about anywhere. You may also wish to paint them with exterior paint so they last longer. By doing this, now, you won't be rushing to the lumber store just before a hurricane when plywood supplies might be depleted.

NUMBER TWO: We have all seen on television, or witnessed for ourselves, the damage a strong storm can do when it rips a roof right off a home like a sardine can being opened. In a great deal of cases this can be avoided. There are for sale galvanized brackets (also known as "hurricane straps") that when properly installed will hold the roof rafters (trusses) to the house. They cost about a buck each and the average size house will need about 80 of them. Most homes are built with the roof rafters just "toenailed" in place and the only real way the roof stays on is by it's sheer weight. Once a hurricane force wind gets the roof to lift, even a little, the momentum keeps the lifting action in force until the entire roof is ripped off. Using "primeguard"-type exterior screws (because nails tend to loosen under "storm stress") to mount these brackets in your attic, either by yourself or by a professional, the chances of your roof being ripped off will be greatly reduced. If you have a NEW home built, insist that these brackets be installed on EVERY roof rafter.

The object of terrorism is to frighten people by initiating "constant chaos" thereby drastically changing their way of life. It is defeated only when people are prepared enough that they no longer fear. Terrorism rears it's ugly head in many forms. One can be terrorized by a next door neighbor or by radicals from the other side of the globe. How we deal with each act is more important than what triggered it. Armed with enough information, basic necessities and confidence there is no reason why we can't survive almost any situation. The only exception, of course, is a direct, deadly assault on ourselves.

Terrorists mean to strip away our cloak of confidence thereby empowering them with changing how we live. The key is not to allow them this power. During the dark days just following the World Trade Center and Pentagon disasters there were many who believed that there would be more attacks and this belief was just what the terrorists wanted. In making us believe this, they assumed a position of power because we allowed it. The power, though imaginary, felt very real. There were, however, people who didn't allow this assumed power to take hold. When the World Trade Center buildings fell I, and many others, were charged with the responsibility of rescue down at the area termed "Ground Zero". Not one of us were so worried about another attack that it affected our job at hand. Rather than have a fearful effect, it forced us to become focused at what we needed to do. You and your family, during a time of terrorism, must remain just as focused. Not at any rescue efforts, but at daily living in a way that will least affect you. A prime example are the people in Israel. They are constantly surrounded by the specter of terrorism, yet they have learned to live, laugh, love and prosper amid this almost daily threat. To be sure, they have had to make some adjustments in their lives, but it hasn't prevented them from basically living the way they wish and where they want. You and your family should adopt that same philosophy.

There is a saying that "Information is power". This is very true. The more proper information we have available the better equipped we will be to handle any threat to us and our families. Some of the information I will present comes from my own experiences in emergency situations, including that most devastating terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. During my work at "Ground Zero" I spoke to many people involved in that effort including police, firefighters, military, search and rescue crews, Red Cross personnel (some of whom have been involved in disasters all over the world) and other people who assisted in the relief efforts and in doing so have exchanged ideas, emotions and facts. By giving you my, and their, observations and advice it is hoped that you and your family will be better equipped to ride out any terrorist event with little effect on your daily life and with confidence in both yourselves and your country.

The term "Family Preparedness" encompasses many things. Before I delve into the subject of preparedness for terrorism, I'd like you first to read about family preparedness concerning another very important matter. This involves the preparing of your family for something which has a much greater chance of occurring than terrorism. It is about preparing and protecting both you and your family during severe weather and other natural disasters such as floods and wildfires. By reading the first part of this website you will become better acquainted with important basic details on family preparedness. Some of this information will have a direct bearing on preparing for any terrorist threat. The first section of this website is extremely important concerning developing a "HOME BAG", because this home bag will contain many of the items needed to assist you in coping during any terrorist event. I will be building on the information already presented in the first website rather than repeat things, such as basic home bag development and what to do/say (and what not to say) if your family has to evacuate to a shelter.

You have learned that by properly preparing for an event it will lessen the impact it has upon you. If you are thinking that there is no need to develop a "home bag" for your family because your area is never visited by hurricanes then you are quite mistaken. There are other "like events" that can become just as threatening no matter where you live. A freak snowstorm could block the path from your home to the closest town. A mudslide might cut off your family from the rest of civilization. Tornadoes? Wildfires? Earthquakes? Spring thaw floods? Toxic chemical spills that happen on almost a weekly basis? As you can see, there are many threats above and beyond hurricanes or terrorist events that make it important that you build your family a home bag and keep it up to date. There will be other items that I will suggest you assemble within your home bag if you are in a "high target" area or very concerned about terrorism. I will explain about what they are, and what a "high target" area is, later in this webpage.

Let's talk about your chances of being harmed by a terrorist attack. Forget about what the naysayers try to tell you. They are "media terrorists" trying to scare you and your family into buying their newspapers or listening to their television station and hiding or drastically changing your way of life. Often, they theorize the news rather than report the right conditions and facts. If it were up them, with all the baloney spewed by their so-called experts, there wouldn't be enough caves for us to hide in. The fact is that for any event that could take place our government is the best resource to stop any spread and to keep our country on an even keel. By government I am not just talking about the Federal government, but every official down to your local fire department. They ALL play critical roles in protecting us and containing any problem.

Forget all the theories and look at some facts. Things that really did happen. During the "cold war days" there was an accident at a bioweapons plant in a place called Sverdlovsk (since re-named Ekaterinburg) in 1979. This represented a release of hundreds of millions of anthrax spores into the air. Even though the local population was not notified, out of a city of over ONE MILLION only 66 people died. And this was at a location that made the stuff, no where near a place where most of us live. Many studies show that large amounts of anthrax must be inhaled for someone to become infected. Once the anthrax spores have been released into the air they do become a threat, especially if they are in a building with a closed ventilation system. Out in the open air they follow a very narrow path in the direction the wind is blowing. Once they hit the ground they usually stay there and are no longer a threat to being inhaled.

So as a wide-scale terror weapon they fall far short of actually infecting a large population. The only risk is if you are downwind to a very large anthrax release or happen to be located in a "high profile" building with a closed ventilation system (such as a federal government structure) that becomes infected. Does that mean you shouldn't be concerned? No. But the odds of this happening are very remote. Remote enough that you don't need to run out and buy an expensive gas mask. The use of gas masks require training and a proper fit to be effective. You must also know when to put one on. Anthrax is colorless, tasteless and odorless so in the time you locate your gas mask and put it on, it probably would be too late.

Detach the anthrax events that took place following the 9/11 disasters from the WTC and Pentagon disasters because the anthrax letter attacks were committed by other people who found it convenient to enhance our fears. These sick people, in effect, came out of the woodworks to prey upon our newly affixed fears. They went away just as quickly. This is what terrorists do. They seize an opportunity to cause us anguish and spread fear. When armed with facts, we fear less. As you can see, the anthrax threat is less than that of being struck by lightening on a cloudy day. Can you get struck by lightening on a cloudy day.. yes. Does this prevent you from going out of your home on a cloudy day... no.

Another threat you might be concerned about is that of smallpox. Again, it is a small threat. Most of us, before 1970, were given shots against smallpox. Even though these shots have lost some of their effectiveness they still offer some protection. If you and your family are concerned about this threat, you should know that the government has stockpiled enough vaccine to treat the entire population of this country. If a nation-wide plan to vaccinate were to be implemented it would cause undue panic with mis-reporting and false conjectures by the media. Instead, the government's plan is not to use it on a massive level but rather to use special drop teams that will go into an area to contain any outbreak and vaccinate within the infected area. There is a limited amount of actual live smallpox virus stored worldwide so this also limits the terrorist access to it. Again, it is a minor threat that is given all too much press. Both anthrax and smallpox threats make too much front page news by too many irresponsible reporters and news agencies.

Most terrorists are either cowards, who do their dirty deeds from the shadows, or sick people who would even sacrifice themselves to harm others. With these two classifications come two methods of terrorism. The subversive and the blatant. Subversive requires opportunity. We all can be a part in reducing the opportunity for terrorism by being observant. It doesn't require special training, just common sense and a keen eye to the unusual. The public eye has been very successful in preventing crime and helping recover kidnapped children. The photos on milk cartons and the very successful "Amber Alert System" have been two very powerful tools in capturing criminals and reuniting loved ones. The same observational powers need to be used to prevent terrorism. Be wary of the actions of anyone doing something which might appear strange. For example, if you are vacationing at a state park that also has a reservoir and you note someone in a boat or at the shoreline dumping something in the water instead of fishing, report the observation to the state police or park officials as soon as possible. This might be a person with a valid reason for "chumming" the water to attract fish or he might be attempting to infect the public drinking water system. The possibility of a water supply becoming infected makes it very important that you have your "home bag" with that bottled water. One of the problems with the water supply system in our country is that there are thousands of separate systems covering millions of acres so it is difficult to "police" all of them. The good thing is that by their sheer number it also makes it impossible for terrorists to taint them all. This makes water supply systems a "high target" area. Fortunately, we have the ways and means to supply water to areas that might become tainted. However, to activate this delivery system, either by tanker trucks or interconnection of a safe system to a purged system, does take time. This makes your home bag water supply doubly valuable. If you fear terrorism, add an additional two or three days supply of bottled water to your home bag. Doing this NOW will also lessen the stress if there is a scare and people are scrambling to get bottled water.

High target sites for terrorism are those high profile places that the most physical and psychological damage can be done using the least amount of destructive energy. Using a few pounds of explosive to destroy a roadway in the desert and hardly a soul will know, nor will it attain any media attention. Our lives will not feel threatened nor will we alter our lifestyles. Take that same amount of explosive to destroy a railway bridge, which may go unnoticed until a train crashes killing many people, and the media will descend on the site like locusts, developing wild stories when they drag in "would-be experts" and create confusion and fear among the public. In doing so, it will strip away some of our inner feelings of security. The more media attention an event gets, the more fear will be induced and encourage additional terrorist actions by either the original group or by "copycat" people, who use the opportunity as a means of becoming noticed and usually are not part of any "cause".

Terrorists wish to instill as much fear as possible. By damaging those things we hold as symbols of our country and our way of life they hope to shatter our ideals, dreams and security. There are sites in every state that they'd wish to destroy, not so much for the loss of life, but for the loss of our dignity and faith in who we are. Here, in Texas, one of the most venerated places is the Alamo in San Antonio. It represents our resolve in the face of insurmountable odds. The Alamo stands as a monument as revered in Texas as the Statue Of Liberty is to most of America. If either were destroyed, or even seriously damaged by a terrorist attack, it could cripple our spirit. There are many such high target places in our country that even though they can be rebuilt they can never be replaced. There are many people charged with the security of these places and they have our respect for the work they do. You can help them by being observant to anyone who exhibits strange behavior. If you see someone acting odd, do not turn and walk away. Be part of that great caring that is America and report anything you see or hear to the proper authorities. This also holds true when you are on vacation. What greater damage to the spirit of America than if a place such as "Disney World" were damaged by a terrorist? What fright would be created if we felt that even an amusement park wasn't safe. To be sure, places like this have remarkable security forces that are trained in counter-terrorism, but extra sets of eyes couldn't hurt.

Oil and gas depots, refineries, major ports, and places of commerce and industry are also high risk areas. The risk level varies depending upon if an area or building were crippled or destroyed in an attack what damage would be done to our psyche and our economy. When the World Trade Centers fell, besides the saddening loss of so many innocent lives, there was a profound effect on our economy. Most of the banks and financial institutions have learned a hard lesson and now backup their records to low-target areas. In 2001, lost records created financial shockwaves that took many months to recover. The ensuing ripple effect also meant loss of jobs and further fear.

Aside from the natural threats coming from mother nature, we do need to be concerned, but not overwhelmed, about other threats, some of which can be initiated by terrorists, carelessness or just plain stupidity. Threats involving chemicals are one of these incidents that need consideration. Every day there are thousands of gallons of chemicals being transported throughout the country by rail or tanker truck. Some of these chemicals are relatively harmless in nature. There are many, however, that are extremely toxic. In most cases the liquid chemical spills which might occur during accidents can be quickly contained. It is the gaseous variety that need more attention by the public. There may be a point in time when a spill due to a tanker truck accident will release fumes or gas.

Depending upon the gas, it might either quickly raise above ground level and be quickly dissipated OR it might remain ground level as it spreads. This last type is the most dangerous as it can spread to a neighborhood and engulf it in a deadly plume. The public has been told during certain emergencies to seal all your windows and air conditioners. This may hold true when there are just irritants and particulates in the air, but since houses were built to "breathe", it offers little protection against poison gas. (If you live out in the country you'll agree that homes breathe if you've ever smelled the caustic odor of a road-killed skunk from miles away even when every window and door in your home is shut.) The best way of surviving a poison gas event is to get out of the area as fast as possible while remaining upwind of the spill. During an event like this it might be life-or-death if you fail to listen to your local news and follow the directions of local government officials. Pay special attention to what the police and fire departments have to say as they are trained in this type of spill. There are special hazardous material "HAZMAT" teams that are both equipped and trained to deal with containment. Listen to them. Do exactly what they say as you may not get a second chance. If you live in an area where there is a chemical plant, you can consider yourself in a high target area. You don't need to become overly worried, but you need to be alert. With deliveries and shipments via trucks or rail there remains a higher risk that an accident or terrorist event might take place.

With this in mind, make plans for several evacuation routes away from the plant (based upon wind direction) in the event that your family has to leave. If you are in such an area, consult with your local police and fire departments about any alert system they have in place. If there is no alert plan, get your community together by discussing the development of a plan at a town meeting. A good alert plan might be the same as those developed in areas which have a nuclear power plants. (This is another high target area. The only proper response to a problem at a nuclear power plant is to evacuate WITH your home bag.) These nuclear power plant alert systems usually involve a series of powerful signaling horns or sirens that ONLY signal in the event of a problem. An alternative alert system might involve a special series of blasts from the fire department horns.

The only drawback to this second choice is that we have become acclimated to it's sound so many might ignore it or confuse it's signal with that of a fire call out. A re-education of the public and a few test drills would be needed. Either way, make sure your community has an alert system in place if you reside in an area that has a chemical plant. Also check to see that your fire department and police department have the proper training and plans to cope with a chemical HAZMAT emergency. If you see a chemical spill remain as far away from it as possible and report it to the proper authorities. Armed with this additional planning, you become better prepared in the event such an occurrence takes place.

Remember that a "one-point" terrorist act might also evolve into a "multidimensional event". These are disasters that trigger or combine with weaknesses within an area that will result in a "super event". An example of a super event that might occur is if due to a terrorist attack a plane crashes during an emergency landing at San Antonio Airport. Depending upon it's direction and altitude, during such a crash it might clip or hit the chemical tanker cars that Union Pacific routinely has parked on it's tracks that parallel along Wetmore Avenue and are adjacent to the airport. I have read some of the contents of these tankers... very scary. Let's say the plane attempts a landing but crashes into these tankers releasing their contents. The plane, as it crashes, continues another 300 feet. At that point it might hit the aviation fuel stored in large tanks at the outer perimeter of the airport where other planes (delivery services, etc.) are also parked. So, in this one crash event the plane ruptures dangerous chemicals from the tanker cars, hits the volatile aviation fuel and sparks a tremendous fireball that ejects toxic fumes from the chemicals into the air. This "super event" would mean the evacuation of tens of thousands of nearby residents and businesses. Since the major wind direction in this area of Texas can change on an hourly basis, coming from the Gulf, Mexico or from the North, as a precaution the evacuation would have to cover all residences/businesses within a 360 degree area for many miles. This would also force the closings of two very major highways: Rt 410 and 281. If you are in the emergency "business", you'd better plan for this type of thing to happen. This is why you need to make several evacuation routes from your home or business and several other places to shelter. Planning is very important. Take the time. Make plans. Discuss these plans with family members and neighbors.

Shortly after the World Trade Center Disaster, I began thinking that terrorists would be seeking other "cost effective" and "simplistic" methods to strike at the core of America. One of the most chilling plans that I came up with would be if they were to encapsulate, in wax, ebloa or anthrax spores. This encapsulation is the same method for time-releasing certain medications. They could then sprinkle this "death deployment" on animals at petting zoos or places that supply these animals to petting zoos. When children visit the zoos and pet the animals the spores are released and passed from child to child to adult. Thousands could be infected. If you've heard on the news, this type of event, on a lower scale, just took place with E.Coli. Was this an accident or a testing of this form of delivery system? This I cannot answer, nor should you be alarmed and hide in a cave. It's just another example of how, using simple yet effective methods, a terrorist can cause havoc.

Our government is doing what it can to protect us. Even down to the local level there has been increased training and drills. Some you may know about. Other training and preparedness are kept secret for a good reason. The less the terrorists know, the less they can circumvent systems in place to protect us. The more we train and know about them, the less of an impact they will have in our daily life. Our country is not as fragile as "sensational news sources" would lead you to believe.

People feel the most vulnerable when there is a sudden loss of power, even though probably nothing further will happen. The terrorist has disrupted lives. And that is his purpose. (but if you have that "home bag" with it's lights and candles the temporary loss of power is just an inconvenience) Make a list of what you would consider to be "high target" areas that surround your home, workplace and school. If, by reading the "high target" resource website you diagnose yourself as living in such an area, plan alternate travel routes should the need arise for evacuation from any one of these places. Have alternate places to "shelter in". Make sure each member of your family has some simple training in the event they are separated from each other and need to stay elsewhere. This includes a list of phone numbers and safe places to stay. Keep that home bag as complete and as up to date as possible.

I hope that by reading this you will make the effort to become better prepared and have developed your family plans so in the event that another terrorist strike takes place on our soil your family will remain safe and less fearful. Think of terrorism as one man, with a sick mind, who has only 2 bullets in his gun. Would he actually use one on you? The answer is: No. With his limited resources, he must make those few bullets count. But by shooting a person of stature, and making a display of it, he will create fear in all of us. Unless we understand his limits and are educated in a way that offers us the best protection, we will wear that fear like a heavy chain around our necks. But, if we understand the odds and limits and are prepared and observant, that man with the 2 bullets is reduced to that of a mosquito buzzing around with very little sting.