Disaster Teams Said Ready for Terrorism

[BEER980]

Here is some good news for a change.


By LARRY MARGASAK, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Disaster teams are ready to respond to any strike by the al-Qaida terrorist network and special equipment is monitoring the air for biological agents in some 30 cities, the Bush administration said Thursday.

Four days after the nation went to a high Code Orange status and turned up its vigilance against terrorism, the threat had not diminished. "Credible reporting suggests al-Qaida continues to desire to attack American interests," said Brian Roehrkasse, spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security.

"People have their antennas up," he said.

President Bush was spending Christmas at his mountaintop retreat at Camp David, Md., where he received updates from senior advisers and military aides, said White House spokesman Jim Morrell.

The increased threat level triggered activation of the disaster teams, composed of government experts from different agencies.


The teams would:


_Provide expert advice and support to the on-scene commander if there's a threat, or an incident involving weapons of mass destruction.


_Respond to any release of radiation with advice and air monitoring equipment.


_Provide medical personnel to assist state and local medical authorities.


Besides the contingency teams, Homeland Security officials have stepped up their vigilance in searching for evidence of a biological attack.


The agency previously modified air pollution monitoring equipment in 30 cities to pick up any biological agents and provide test results in 12-to-24 hours.


With the latest threat, officials took several dozen units from the government's inventory and installed them in some of the same cities. The cities were not identified for security reasons.

U.S. officials were conferring with other governments in an effort to prevent suspected terrorists from boarding airplanes heading to the United States.

"We're concerned about flights originating from international countries including Mexico and others," said a national security official, insisting on anonymity.

U.S. officials were closely monitoring the situation in France, where six Air France flights between Paris and Los Angeles were canceled Wednesday and Thursday.

French investigators questioned seven men pointed out by U.S. intelligence but found no evidence they planned to use a Los Angeles-bound jet to launch terror attacks against the United States, French authorities said Thursday.

U.S. intelligence officials told their French counterparts that members of al-Qaida would try to board the planes over Christmas, said a French judicial official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Source

[streetsoldier]

It's always nice to know that the FEMA crowd is "ready"...now, then, how about the population-at-large?

Having been intimately involved with disaster preparedness, SAR, etc. on the local, State and FEMA levels, I have serious doubts that "we, the people" are taking this seriously enough to MAKE preparations, much less carry them out.

I have my "kit" ready...both for "in-situation" and "traveling" if necessary, plus all contacts to be made.

How are YOU guys and gals doing?

[BEER980]

I always have my BOB in my SUV and when we go to orange alert I put in the optional stuff. I know I can make it cut off from the world for 4 days in my SUV. If your area ever goes to red you might have to shelter in place for a few days.

[Stephanie]

Bill - I honestly con't know where I would begin.

I have SEVERAL nuclear energy stations nearby - Limerick, Lower Alloway, etc. I live between NY and DC - Philadelphia could be ripe for the picking as well. NORAD is just outside of Atlantic City where I work, and ever since 9/11, I keep having these "visions" of airplanes flying into one of the many hotel towers in AC. I feel like I'm screwed no matter what.

BEER - I don't know if I'd call it "good news" - but it is nice to hear that they are prepared.

[BEER980]

Well it's a little more positive news then I usually provide. Stephanie You might want to get a nukealert to start. It is a key chain that beeps to let you know of radiation levels near your body. I plan on getting one soon. Now if you are looking to put together a BOB like I have I can give you some ideas by PM or meet in chat.

[streetsoldier]

One difference, BEER...my kits are set for three weeks survival for three people, stationary or moving w/o outside assistance, including firearms/defense measures (looters, displaced people, etc.) as I was trained to do by FEMA, but "not for dissemination to the general public".

[BEER980]

Yep that is what I have also streetsoldier. Three weeks should get you through most stuff.

[Stephanie]

Well it's a little more positive news then I usually provide. Stephanie You might want to get a nukealert to start. It is a key chain that beeps to let you know of radiation levels near your body. I plan on getting one soon. Now if you are looking to put together a BOB like I have I can give you some ideas by PM or meet in chat.

That's true BEER!!

[streetsoldier]

I employ the 21-day survival model because I live within spitting distance of the 1811-12 epicenter of the New Madrid earthquake...if it "goes off", and we survive it, we CANNOT expect any outside intervention for at least that long.

Similarly, an attack on St. Louis, with its petrochemical industries on the river, natural gas/oil lines, etc. would pollute the Mississippi River downstream for weeks...and I'm a 30 minute drive from the comfluence of the Ohio-Mississippi Rivers at Cairo.

Our military (Regulars, Reserves and National Guards) are stretched SO thin that timely SAR/relief here cannot be expected or entertained within three weeks, and FEMA, Red Cross and other agencies will be "up to their ears" in the major cities to the north and east of us.