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Terrorism

Terrorism in America, Today

The Department of Homeland Security continues to face a diverse and challenging environment of potential threats. These threats include those posed by individuals and/or small groups engaged in violence, including domestic violent extremists and those inspired or motivated by foreign terrorists and other malign foreign influences.

 

Foreign terrorist organizations and domestic violent extremists continue to attempt to inspire potential followers to conduct attacks in the United States, including by exploiting recent events in Afghanistan.

Domestic & International Attacks

Domestically, these attacks could occur through a variety of different methods including infrastructure attacks like drinking water tanks or electric power generating stations, or through large gathering and popular locations. Internationally, terrorism attacks have taken place at coffee shops and nightclubs as well as subways and government buildings.

 

Orange County residents can best cope with potential terrorism and other crisis situations by preparing in advance. Preparedness begins with each individual and extends to their families, friends and co-workers. While there is no way to predict terrorism, or where you will be if it happens, advance planning will help protect you and your loved ones.

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Image by Jusdevoyage
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Terrorist cells have been known to record and monitor activities, taking pictures and making drawings. Be alert to those individuals you see at emergency scenes on a repeat basis. Being observant supports homeland security and fire prevention efforts.

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Be aware of individuals attempting to gain information about your operations, staffing and security protocols that appear to be more than just typical curiosity.
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Suspicious transactions involving large cash payments, deposits, withdrawals, or transfers of money; bulk cash smuggling; suspected financial fraud; sale of counterfeit goods; or misleading charities.

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Be alert to any attempts to measure reaction times to entering restricted areas. Be alert to who is in and around your station. Emergency vehicles and uniforms have been stolen in an attempt to use them during acts of terrorism.

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 Through your full-time or part-time employment be alert to those attempting to obtain explosives, weapons, uniforms, badges, credentials, etc. Amassing large quantities of equipment should send up a red flag if the individual acquiring those materials has no business doing so.
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This may include people who are in places they should not be, as well as people who do not fit into the daily routine of surroundings or the emergency scene.

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 Be alert to people that just look out of place or you have seen at multiple emergency scenes as they could be part of a dry run exercise for illegal activity. Be alert to multiple false alarms to the same location, especially areas considered critical infrastructure such as government buildings and schools.

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Beware of what looks like people and supplies getting into position to commit an act of violence. Remember scene safety, if you spot something or get information on the way to a call that suggests you and your crew would be in danger consider staging at a safe distance and follow your department's scene safety protocols.

National See Something, Say Something® Campaign

In July 2010, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched a national "If You See Something, Say Something™" public awareness campaign. This is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness of indicators of terrorism and violent crime, and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper state and local law enforcement authorities. Homeland security begins with hometown security, where an alert public that practices common sense can play a critical role in keeping our community safe.

 

Local Resources for Preparing Against a Terrorist Attack:

 

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