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| Since the bombing of the World Trade Center in
1993, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995 and most
recently the events of 09/11/01, the threat of terrorism in
the United States has become an ever increasing concern.
United States citizens as well as emergency responders can no
longer take our safety for granted. The University of Illinois
Police Department recognizes the terrorist threat and believes
all members of the community must work in partnership to
ensure everyone’s safety. The University of Illinois Police
Department has always engaged in the planning for natural
disasters, now we have to add terrorism to our
vocabulary.
Working in partnership to protect students,
staff, faculty and the learning environment on our campus
requires vigilance and the sharing of information. All members
of the campus community must constantly remain vigilant. If
you see anything that looks suspicious or out of place, call
the University of Illinois Police Department at #333-1216. A
member of our department will answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. There are also emergency phones located in all campus
building, parking garages and illuminated kiosks throughout
campus which connect directly to the University of Illinois
Police Department. |
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It should be noted that no intelligence
to date indicates that the University of Illinois or its
components are a particular terrorist target, however we must
be diligent in our efforts to protect our safety. The
University of Illinois has been working in partnership with
local, state and federal government to update emergency
response plans. In the event of a terrorist attack, the
University of Illinois Police Department would notify the
campus community and provide additional
information. |
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Preparing for Terrorism /
Natural Disaster |
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A terrorist attack will likely come without any
warning. The best way to prepare for a terrorist attack or any
other emergency is to have an emergency plan in place. Your
emergency plan should be based on the most updated information
regarding the types of threats which the Department of
Homeland Security has identified. Remember, the threat of
terrorism does not mean you have to change everything in your
life, just be prepared. It is
suggested that each person on campus have an emergency
readiness kit. It should include at least a three day supply
of food and water, clothing, toilet paper, a battery radio
tuned to 1400 AM WDWS, a first aid kit and a blanket. Plastic
sheeting and duct tape to secure a residence is also
recommended. |
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Before, During, and After a Terrorist
Incident |
| Before |
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Be alert and
aware of your surroundings. Report anything
suspicious.
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Visit the
aforementioned websites for emergency preparedness
plans.
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Know the
emergency exits of your residence halls and place of
employment.
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Keep your
emergency response kit(s) at your residence, vehicle
and place of employment.
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Do not open
mail which looks suspicious (i.e. excessive postage,
unknown origin, overseas return address).
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| During |
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Never rush into
a suspected terrorist event. You probably will not
know what agent has been released. Do not become a
victim!
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Decrease your
time, increase distance and shielding from the
suspected incident.
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If you are
exposed to an agent, do not flee the scene, you may
expose others.
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If an emergency
responder (police/fire/ambulance) directs you to do
something, do it
immediately. |
| After |
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- If you are a victim of a
terrorist incident, expect to undergo decontamination
on scene. This will probably involve the fire
department using water to wash you
down.
- Do not try to enter the scene
from a safe location to help affected individuals. You
may become a victim yourself. Report any suspicious
activity to law enforcement.
- Remember, some of the victims may
actually be suspects.
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Remember, it may be necessary
to “shelter in place” if a weapons of mass destruction
incident occurs. “Shelter in place” is a term which
refers to staying where you are at (such as inside a
building or other place of shelter) in order to avoid
being contaminated with whatever agent may have been
dispersed. With many types of agents, the best way to
protect yourself is by staying indoors and not leaving
until authorities have deemed it safe to do so. If a
full evacuation is necessary, authorities will notify
the community immediately and will provide information
regarding locations of
safety. | |
| Information on and
Descriptions of Terrorists
Threats |
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Chemical
Threats |
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A Chemical attack is the deliberate release
of a toxic gas, liquid or solid that can poison people and
the environment.
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Quickly try to define
the area which was affected and seek “clean air.”
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Stay upwind, uphill
and upstream from any suspected contaminated
areas.
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Signs and symptoms of
individuals who have been affected by chemical agents
include convulsions, difficulty breathing, loss of
consciousness, nausea, vomiting, and severe coughing.
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Certain chemical
agents like mustard gas will redden the skin and cause
severe skin and eye irritation.
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Remove all clothing
and other items in contact with the body. Cut off
contaminated clothing to avoid contact with eyes, nose and
mouth.
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Decontaminate exposed
skin with soap and water.
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Flush eyes with lots
of water.
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Seek immediate
medical assistance. |
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Biological
Threats |
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Biological attacks
are the deliberate release of germs or other biological
substances that can make you sick.
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Biological agents are
dangerous because they can be spread by natural convection
or air currents. Ventilation systems in buildings or
transportation facilities may actually become part of the
dissemination system.
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Signs and symptoms of
individuals who have been exposed to biological agents vary
depending on the organism. Most signs and symptoms include
flu-like symptoms (i.e. nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe
fever).
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These signs will
probably be reported by health care officials at local
hospitals.
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If you suspect your
skin or clothing has come into contact with a potentially
infectious substance, remove and bag your clothing. Wash
yourself with soapy water immediately. Put on clean clothes
and seek medical
assistance. |
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Radiological
Threats |
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Radiological attacks,
commonly referred to as “dirty bombs” are the use of
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conventional
explosives to spread radioactive materials over a targeted
area.
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While the explosion
will be obvious, the presence of radiation will
not.
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If you hear an
explosion and/or you are warned of a radiation release,
cover your nose and mouth and go inside to a place of
shelter that has not been damaged.
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Close windows and
doors, turn off air conditioners, heaters or other
ventilation systems.
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If you think you have
been exposed to radiation, take off your clothes and wash
your body as soon as possible.
- Stay where you are and check official news
as it becomes available.
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Nuclear
Threats |
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A nuclear blast is an
explosion which creates intense heat, a pressure wave and
widespread radioactive material which can poison the air,
water and ground surfaces.
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Take cover
immediately to limit the amount of radioactivity
absorbed.
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If you take shelter,
go as far underground as possible.
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Decrease your time,
increase your distance and shielding to reduce your
risks.
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Use available
information to assess the threat of radioactive exposure. If
you think you have been exposed to radiation, health care
authorities may advise you to take potassium iodide.
Potassium iodide is the same stuff added to your table salt
to make it iodized and it protects your thyroid gland which
is particularly vulnerable to radioactive poisoning.
Consider placing this in your emergency kit. Plan to speak
to your health care provider in advance for appropriate
dosage. |
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Explosive
Threats |
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If there is an
explosion, take shelter against anything sturdy.
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If the explosion is
in the building you are in, exit immediately without using
the elevators.
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If you see smoke,
crawl on the floor.
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Use a wet cloth or
anything available to cover your mouth and nose.
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Never go back into a
burning building.
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If you are trapped in
debris from a collapsed building, avoid unnecessary movement
so you don’t kick up dust. Breathing in dust can be
dangerous.
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If possible use a
flashlight or whistle to signal rescuers.
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Always assume that an
explosion is releasing some dangerous material.
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Decrease your time,
increase your distance and shielding to avoid any potential
contamination. |
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Identifying Suspicious
Packages and Envelopes
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Some
characteristics of suspicious packages and envelopes include
the following:
- Inappropriate or unusual labeling
- Excessive postage
- Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
- Misspellings of common words
- Strange return address or no return
address
- Incorrect titles or title without a
name
- Not addressed to a specific person
- Marked with restrictions, such as
Personal, Confidential, or Do Not X-ray
- Marked with any threatening language
- Postmarked from a city or state that
does not match the return address
- Appearance
- Powdery substance felt through or
appearing on the package or envelope
- Oily stains, discolorations, or odor
- Lopsided or uneven envelope
- Excessive packaging material such as
masking tape, string, etc.
- Other suspicious signs
- Excessive weight
- Ticking sound
- Protruding wires or aluminum foil
Handling of Suspicious Packages or
Envelopes
If a package
or envelope appears suspicious, DO NOT
OPEN IT.
DO NOT TOUCH IT - leave it where it
is.
Do
not sniff, touch, taste, or look closely at it
or at any contents which may have
spilled.
Alert
others in the area about the suspicious package or envelope.
Leave the area, close any doors, and take actions to prevent
other from entering the area. If possible, shut off the
ventilation system.
Wash hands with soap and
water to prevent
spreading potentially infectious material to face or skin.
Seek additional instructions for exposed or potentially
exposed persons.
If at work, call University
of Illinois Police at 9-911. If at home, contact the local law enforcement
agency.
If possible, create a list
of persons who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package
was recognized and a list of persons who also may have handled
this package or letter. Give this list to both the local
public health authorities and law enforcement officials.
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The
following is the Department of Homeland Security’s Advisory
System.
This should provide some insight as to what the
“color system” actually means. |
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Emergency and Non-Emergency Phone
Numbers
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911 (9-911 from
campus) for
all emergency calls
(police/fire/ambulance)
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333-1216 for the
University of Illinois Police Department
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265-8473 Universtity of Illinois
Critical Incident Newsline (activated only
during emergencies)
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384-2320 for the
Urbana Police Department
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351-4545 for the
Champaign Police Department
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383-3313 for Carle
Hospital
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337-2131 for Covenant
Hospital
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337-2911 for
ambulance services
Web Sites to Search for Emergency
Information
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