Terrorism Response and Disaster Management

Learning objectives (14)

1. Define international terrorism and domestic terrorism; include examples of incidents that have been caused by each one — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1527); confirm wording in your course copy.
2. Define weapon of mass destruction (WMD) and weapon of mass casualty (WMC); include examples of weapons considered WMDs — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1527); confirm wording in your course copy.
3. Demonstrate the steps EMTs can take for the management of a patient exposed to a chemical agent — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1528); confirm wording in your course copy.
4. Demonstrate the steps EMTs can take to establish and reassess scene safety based on a scenario of a terrorist event — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1528); confirm wording in your course copy.
5. Demonstrate the use of the DuoDote Auto-Injector and/or the Antidote Treatment Nerve Agent Auto-Injector — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1528); confirm wording in your course copy.
6. Describe the mechanisms of injury caused by incendiary and explosive devices; include the types and severity of wounds — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1527); confirm wording in your course copy.
7. Discuss the history of chemical agents, their four main classifications, routes of exposure, and the effects on patient care — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1527); confirm wording in your course copy.
8. Discuss the history of nuclear/radiologic devices, sources of radiologic materials and dispersal devices, medical management of patients, and protective measures EMTs must take dur — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1527); confirm wording in your course copy.
9. Explain how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) relates to the actions and precautions EMTs must take while performing their daily a — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1527); confirm wording in your course copy.
10. Explain the critical response actions related to establishing and reassessing scene safety, personnel protection, notification procedures, and establishing command that EMTs must p — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1527); confirm wording in your course copy.
11. Explain the role of EMS in relation to syndromic surveillance and points of distribution (PODs) during a biologic event — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1527); confirm wording in your course copy.
12. List three categories of biologic agents, their routes of exposure, effects on the patient, and patient care — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1527); confirm wording in your course copy.
13. Name four different types of goals that commonly motivate terrorist groups to carry out terrorist attacks — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1527); confirm wording in your course copy.
14. Name the key observations EMTs must make on every call to determine the potential of a terrorist attack — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1527); confirm wording in your course copy.

Vocabulary (14)

Terrorism

The use or threat of violence to intimidate or coerce a population or government in pursuit of political, religious, or ideological goals.

CBRNE

An acronym for the categories of weapons of mass destruction — Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive.

Weapon of mass destruction (WMD)

Any weapon designed to cause widespread death, destruction, or harm — including CBRNE categories.

Decontamination

The process of removing or neutralizing harmful substances from people, equipment, or environments.

Gross decontamination

Rapid removal of contaminants — typically with copious water and clothing removal — to reduce immediate exposure before technical decon.

Technical decontamination

Controlled, thorough decontamination performed in a structured corridor with appropriately trained personnel and detergents.

Secondary device

An additional explosive or harmful device designed to detonate after first responders arrive at the initial event.

SLUDGEM

Cholinergic toxidrome from nerve agents or organophosphates — Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Defecation, GI distress, Emesis, Miosis.

Nerve agents (sarin, VX)

Organophosphate chemical weapons that inhibit acetylcholinesterase, producing the SLUDGEM toxidrome and rapid respiratory failure.

Cyanide

A cellular asphyxiant that blocks oxygen use at the mitochondrial level; presents with severe acidosis and cardiovascular collapse.

Anthrax

A biological agent caused by Bacillus anthracis — can present in cutaneous, inhalation, or gastrointestinal forms.

Smallpox

A highly contagious viral biological agent (variola) eradicated in 1980 but retained in research labs and considered a category-A bioterror threat.

Acute radiation syndrome (ARS)

Illness from a high whole-body dose of penetrating radiation, with hematologic, GI, and neurovascular phases.

Hazardous materials (HazMat)

Substances that pose an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property when released; managed by trained HazMat teams.

Sequence practice (2 puzzles on Quiz Me)

Quick fire sample (14 of 14 on Quiz Me)