Basic Level Pre-Course Reading

Chapter 3
CBRN Assessment and Incident Recognition
3. CBRN ASSESSMENT AND INCIDENT RECOGNITION
After completing this chapter, participants will be able to:
• describe the indicators of a possible CBRN incident;
• recognize unusual trends which may indicate a CBRN incident;
• describe signs and symptoms of chemical agent exposure and their onset;
• describe signs and symptoms of biological agent exposure and their onset;
• describe signs and symptoms of radiological exposure and their onset;
• recognize a potential CBRN agent dissemination device and how it may be used by terrorists;
• describe indicators that raise suspicion of a package; and,
• describe guidelines for dealing with a suspicious package incident.
The purpose of this chapter is to familiarize participants with the signs and indicators
that might lead a responder to suspect a CBRN terrorist incident. Although it may be
difficult to identify if the incident was accidental or intentional, it is important that
responders recognize the potential threat and rethink some of the normal day-to-day
operating procedures.
3.1 Indicators of a CBRN Incident
In December, 1984, mechanical failure caused an explosion at the Union Carbide
chemical plant in Bhopal, India that resulted in the release of methyl isocyanate, a
deadly gas, used in the manufacture of pesticides. The gas formed a cloud that killed
2500 people while another 50 000 – 100 000 became ill. Trees and plants in the area
became yellow and brittle. This example clearly demonstrates that signs and
symptoms, accompanied by an explosion, do not necessarily mean a terrorist incident
has occurred. If this type of accident happened today, there is little doubt that terrorism
would be suspected immediately. In some cases, there may be very subtle or even
obscure evidence of terrorist involvement that might surface only weeks, months, or
years later.
During September 9–21 st , 1984, in Dalles, Oregon, several hundred people fell ill with a
form of food poisoning called Salmonella typhimurium. The cause of the food poisoning
was attributed to bacteria in the salad bars of ten local restaurants. The fact that the
Salmonella poisoning was a deliberate attack planned and executed by a nearby cult
was only learned a year later, as the result of infighting among the cultists. This incident
clearly demonstrates that a terrorist attack can also take on the appearance of a natural
occurrence, and be overlooked.
For many first responders, this raises the question of how their response would differ.
To ensure responder safety and the safety of others, suspicious incidents should be
treated as intentional acts of terrorism until such time as they are determined otherwise.
Responses to such incidents should be exactly the same, no matter what the cause.
CBRN First Responder Training Program
16
Basic Level Course