I think Franklin County is a great place to live. We have beautiful scenery and lots of sights to see. But, there really isn't much here that would attract a terrorist. I like to think that if a terrorist is in our county, he's probably lost.
Even though we here in Franklin County probably never will experience a weapons of mass destruction attack, there is increasing fear that other areas of the United States may one day have to face that threat.
Weapons of mass destruction include biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological devices, and range from the silent threat of a poison gas attack to a cataclysmic nuclear explosion. Those who would launch such attacks know thousands could die, of course, but their fundamental motive is to strike fear and panic in tens of millions more.
Tom Ridge, US Director of Homeland Security says, "Terrorism forces us to make a choice. We can be afraid, or we can be ready." The best way to be prepared for an emergency is to learn as much as you can, decide what applies to you, and make plans accordingly. I've compiled information from a couple of sources to help you put the threat in perspective.
Weapons of Mass Destruction Handbook
(Contains information about Biological, Chemical, Nuclear, Radiological,
and Other WMD)
A soldier's Viewpoint on Surviving
Terrorist Attacks
What can we do to help (United
for a stronger America: Citizens' Preparedness Guide)
Threat Conditions
Additional Information:
-Emergency Preparedness Checklist
-Community Emergency Response Teams
-Family Disaster Planning
-Financial Disaster Preparedness
-Disaster Supplies Kit
-Finding Food & Water in an Emergency
The Missouri Office of Homeland Security has developed a couple of websites that contain a wealth of terrorism preparedness information and links to other sources with even more.