(CTM) Counterterrorism Module Overview

Counterterrorism Module Overview

US National Counterterrorism Center Seal ImageIn the previous units you have learned how to respond to disasters of all kinds. In this unit you will learn how to apply this knowledge to terrorism. Terrorism has become a part of our lives since 9/11. While we may not be able to predict where a terrorist may attack, we can prepare as best we can so we can mitigate the impact and save lives.

 

Essential Questions

  • What is terrorism?
  • What are the terrorist weapons?
  • What are the signs of terrorism?
  • How do you respond to a possible terroristic attack?
  • How do you "shelter in place?"?

 

Key Words

  1. Terrorism - the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives
  2. CBRNE - an acronym that stands for "Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive". The term was developed to describe the different type of weapon systems that may be used in a criminal or terrorist event
  3. Cyberterrorism - deliberate, large-scale disruption of computer networks
  4. Chemical agent - solid, liquid, or gaseous substance that produces an effect on a living organism by acting on the body tissue, or in an environment by interacting with air, water, and/or soil
  5. Blister agents - cause blisters, burns, and other tissue damage
  6. Blood agents - are absorbed into the bloodstream and deprive blood cells of oxygen
  7. Choking agents - following exposure through inhalation, the lungs fill with fluid, which prevents oxygen from being absorbed by, and carbon dioxide from being removed from, the blood
  8. Nerve agents - affect the central nervous system
  9. Riot-control agents - cause respiratory distress and tearing and are designed to incapacitate rather than kill
  10. Biological weapons - a weapon of mass destruction that uses a biological agent or pathogen such as bacteria or a virus that is harmful to living beings and vegetation
  11. Radiation dispersal devices - may be improvised explosive devices, also called "dirty bombs," but can include non-explosive devices that could be used to spread radioactive material as well
  12. Nuclear weapons - an explosive device whose destructive potential derives from the release of energy that accompanies the splitting or combining of atomic nuclei
  13. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs)- any device that is created in an improvised manner, incorporating explosives or other materials designed to destroy, disfigure, distract, or harass
  14. Contagious - spread from one person or organism to another by direct or indirect contact
  15. Elicitation - a technique used to discreetly gather information. It is a conversation with a specific purpose: collect information that is not readily available and do so without raising suspicion that specific facts are being sought

 

Key Words Review

After reviewing your key words for this module, complete the review activity below:

 

 

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