Ready Philadelphia − An Emergency Preparedness Program for the City of Philadelphia -> Explosions/Terrorism and Explosive Threats

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Explosions/Terrorism and Explosive Threats

	Not every explosion has a terrorism connection. Transformers and generators sometimes explode due to age or wear. The following are basic guidelines if you are near an explosion of any type. ON THE STREET: Regain your bearings. Determine if you are injured, and where the blast occurred. Move immediately in the opposite direction of the blast. Do not walk close to buildings, as glass and debris may still be falling. Once you are out of the danger area (at least three blocks), try to remember and write down any information you can about the event. Anything you can remember may be helpful later on. IN A BUILDING: Regain your bearings. Determine if you are injured, and note structural damage. Quickly note secondary hazards – fire, smoke, toxic fumes and the smell of gas. Determine whether you should evacuate or shelter in place. Once clear of the danger area, record all information. ON A TRAIN: Regain your bearings. Determine if you are injured and note structural damage. Quickly note secondary hazards – fire, smoke, toxic fumes. Both the tunnel and the train will be dark – move as slowly as is practical. Upon exiting the train, be careful to avoid the charged rail. Move as a group away from the train. IF THERE IS A FIRE: Fires often occur after a building explosion. Exit the building quickly and quietly. Crawl low if there is smoke. Use a wet cloth, if possible, to cover your nose and mouth. Use the back of your hand to feel the upper, lower, and middle parts of closed doors. If the door is not hot, brace yourself against it and open it slowly. If the door is hot, do not open it. Look for another way out. Do not use elevators. If your clothes catch on fire, do not run. STOP where you are, DROP to the ground, and ROLL over and over to smother the flames. If you are at home, go to your previously designated meeting place. Account for your family members and carefully supervise small children. Never go back into a burning building. IF YOU ARE TRAPPED BY DEBRIS: Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth or clothing. Move around as little as possible to avoid kicking up dust, which is harmful to inhale. If possible, use a flashlight so that you can see your surroundings. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can hear where you are. Use a whistle if you have one. Shout only as a last resort, as shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust. Terrorism/Explosive Threats Globally, the use of explosives and bombs continues to be the mainstay of terrorist groups. The City of Philadelphia uses highly trained explosives specialists to rapidly assess, mitigate and render safe any and all explosive threats found within our City. How can you prevent someone from using explosives? Be vigilant. Be aware of suspicious behaviors or out-of-place activities around you. Examples of things to notice may include: People - Look for strange behavioral traits-not appearance, because a terrorist can come from any ethnic group or walk of life. Places - Targeted buildings or infrastructure are often checked out before an actual attack. Pay attention t Someone wearing clothing that is not consistent with the season or the surroundings A person with a tightly clenched grip onto a bag, suitcase or backpack Wires or switches sticking out from carried bag or items Someone looking unusually anxious or calm Individuals taking significant interest in the outside of a building, delivery gates, doors and entrances Individuals taking significant interest in security cameras and controlled areas Individuals taking photos and notes of building security measures A person attempting to disguise their identity, such as wearing a motorcycle helmet, a hood, etc. Vehicles parked outside a building for long periods of time The same vehicle with different drivers returning to a building on several occasions Activity inconsistent with the location Unusual activity by contractor vehicles In today's environment, a backpack left on a train filled with commuters is taken much more seriously than one found in an empty park. Err on the side of caution. If you think something is suspicious, treat it as such until experts have determined that it is harmless. Suspicious objects may include: Large container-type items (such as suitcases, backpacks, bags, etc.) left in areas with a high volume of pedestrian traffic or an area/building of symbolic nature Parcels or packages shipped with strange indicators such as misspellings, incorrect titles, no return address, or instructions for a specific person to open, etc. Cars or trucks parked in a busy location exhibiting smoke coming from inside the vehicle; a heavy load on the suspension; wires in uncommon areas; and odd electronic equipment such as cell phones wired to other items. Storage Facilities and other private spaces– things to notice may include: Cash paid for short term rental of housing or storage facility Computers, fans, and an abundance of pots, containers and cookware moved into housing, but little personal belongings Odd smells coming from property By being alert, you can stop an attack at the most crucial time: before it starts. If you observe a terrorist threat or criminal activity, call 9-1-1.
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