Individual Preparedness

A beat-up suitcase abandoned on a residential corner one night in New York City aroused my suspicions. Then I thought: If I were a media-savvy terrorist, would I plant a suitcase bomb at off-hours in a place devoid of symbolic landmarks? I decided I would not, and walked on. But what if the suitcase had exploded, releasing radioactive, toxic, or biological matter? If I'd survived, would I have gotten home in time to access emergency supplies? Or, if I had bought a gas mask and protective suit, would I have had them on me? What about my hand-crank radio with the solar panel? No. I was about 7 miles from home, and did not even have my pocket knife (confiscated by LaGuardia security).

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advises us to prepare for an attack that could come at any time, in any form, at any place... or not at all. What can we do? What everyone does seem to agree on is that it can't hurt to prepare for a terrorist attack or a dirty bomb in the same way we'd prepare for a natural disaster or industrial accident.

Below is a look at some ways in which people are trying to cope.

The Basics

The DHS recommended that we be prepared to seal windows, doors and air vents with duct tape and plastic sheeting. Some scientists and civil defense specialists have warned, however, that even if rooms were properly sealed in time, there'd be no assurance of protection against biological or chemical contamination for more than a few hours, at best.

Here, on the other hand, are some basic supplies that everyone recommends:

•first aid kit, including prescription medications
•flashlight
•radio
•batteries
•bottled water
•canned food (and a can opener)
•blankets, sheets
•a full tank of gas in your car (or air in your bicycle tires,or good walking shoes)

One Step Up

While New York City's police department is being briefed on identifying chemical agents (sarin smells like juicy fruit, cyanide smells like burnt almonds), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has said that they do not recommend "buying gas masks and hoarding medicine in anticipation of a possible bioterrorist or chemical attack." But if it will help your peace of mind, you might consider:

• protective suits (TYVEK-F (from www.protectivesuits.com) $40) and hoods, www.msanet.com ("Response" escape hood, $150); along with the suits, these are recommended by a concerned New York City parent, who wishes to remain anonymous. "The typical gas mask is scary looking to kids and difficult to put on quickly. The response hood is easy to don," he says.

• radiation detector, www.twotigersonline.com, and

• potassium iodide (KI) pills, www.nukepills.com , which protect the thyroid from radioactive iodine and are NOT to be taken before exposure.

Action Plan

"If there's an attack, don't panic. The first thing to do is tune in to the radio," says the New York parent, who is working on preparedness with his neighbors and his children's school. "Don't immediately rush out to get your kids—they may be safer where they are. You could go through a hot zone on your way to the school and spread contaminants. Find out what's going on: if there's a plume, which way the winds are blowing." He proposes this contingency plan:

• Provide protective gear to building staff.

• Establish a secure area in building from which to monitor the situation with radio/TV reports and a radiation meter.

• Establish one point of entry into the building (such as the basement). People coming in from the outside should dispose of their contaminated clothes (and shower, if possible). Schools should have a secure portal where parents can pick up their kids.

• In the event of a bio-agent contamination spread by mail, open all essential mail at one location (again, the basement is a good candidate). Keep protective gear available.

• Communicate. The DHS recommends choosing an out-of-state contact, with a phone number every family member carries along with coins or a prepaid phone card, should local calling systems fail.

Further Resources

• www.fema.gov/areyouready/, FEMA's Guide to Citizen Preparedness

• www.bt.cdc.gov, The CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response page.

• www.ready.gov and (800) BE READY A website and hotline sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security for instruction in the event of a national emergency.

Coming next: Societal Preparedness: Where We're At