This morning's breaking news that certain financial institutions in three Northeastern cities may be targeted for terrorist attacks prompts us to ask yet again, are we prepared?

Do you still have enough water for three days' use? Can you find the extra cell phone charger in the junk drawer? Has your emergency contact information changed?

It's time to revisit the list, the plan and the back-up plan. Being prepared not only allays your anxiety, it also increases your chances of survival in case a terrorist incident (or natural disaster) does take place.

First: Communication Plan

Since any kind of event often hinders local telephone communication, experts recommend that you make arrangements for family members to check in with a contact person out of state. It is also wise to select one or two meeting sites away from home in case it is impossible for everyone to get back to home base.

Second: The Kit

Another critical step is to assemble a kit with enough supplies for you, your family, and pets to last at least 72 hours.

This should include:

• written emergency contact information and health information on each member of your family
• enough water for each person to have 2 quarts of drinking water a day
• 1 gallon of washing water a day
• food for 72 hours
• first aid supplies
• a battery-powered radio or hand crank radio
• flashlights
• mechanical can opener
• a fire extinguisher
• medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter
• tools
• clothing
• bedding and towels
• duct tape and plastic sheeting for repairs or sealing off open areas
• toilet paper
• enough cash (and money in coins) for several days in case of major computer disruption
• store copies of medication prescriptions and important documents in a heavy ZipLoc bag in the freezer. Freezers are airtight and fire resistant.
• and other supplies unique to your family's needs
• stored water and food supplies should be changed out every 6 months. And check for expiration dates on all medications that you might have stored for last year's hurricane preparedness or terrorist alerts. If they have expired, throw them out and replace them.

Third: The To-Go Bag

Have a bag packed that you can throw in your car or keep packed in your office that contains:

• emergency phone numbers and personal contact information
• charged extra cell phone battery/phone charger
• flashlight and batteries
• transistor radio with batteries
• extra pair of comfortable shoes, such as tennis shoes
• change of clothing
• disposable carbon filtered clean-air masks
• prescription medications, simple first aid
• cash and money in coins
• water and packaged food, such as fruit and nut bars
• small pillow and blanket (to shelter in place)

Weapons of 'Mass Confusion'

Though terrorist attacks could conceivably involve biologic agents, chemicals and/or nuclear and radiological attacks, "Most chemical or biological weapons would not affect large numbers of people if they were used at an outdoor event," explains Richard N. Bradley, MD, clinical associate professor of emergency medicine at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. "And if you look at the recent history of terrorist attacks around the world, they do not generally involve chemical, biological or radiological weapons."

Traditional explosives could be laced with radioactive materials, making a "dirty bomb," which could spread radioactive contamination over a wide area. Although such an event would receive widespread attention, experts agree that minimal radiation to the general public would result, making this approach more a weapon of mass confusion than of destruction.

"What's being promoted is to take an all-hazards response to disasters," says Robert Emery, Dr.Ph., executive director of Environmental Health and Safety at the UT Health Science Center and associate professor of occupational health at the Center for Biosecurity and Public Health Preparedness at the UT School of Public Health.

"Although, in the coming months there might be a heightened awareness of terrorism, it might be a good time to step back and ask: 'Am I prepared to withstand any kind of disaster, manmade or intentional?'"

"Using common sense is what you want to do," says Mary Desvignes-Kendrick, MD, MPh, deputy director of the Center. "Knowing what your first five steps are going to be would be very good for people to work on. If you have a plan, then you can call or turn on the radio and then figure out the steps. If you have to start from square one, then you are going to tend to be more anxious. It's important to know what to do ahead of time."

UPDATED: 8-02-2004

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