City Terrorism Preparedness

In preparation for possible emergency situations due to the war in Iraq, the following information is being provided as a community resource.

• City Operations to Ensure Public Safety
• General Information
• Local Assistance
• Office of Homeland Security, Emergency Preparedness

City Operations

The City has long maintained a high level of readiness to respond to emergencies of any kind, in cooperation with other local, state, and federal agencies. Terrorist attacks require the same kind of planning. City staff members are in regular communication with other local, state, and federal agencies exchanging information and refining response plans. City staff has and continues to participate in training and exercises involving combating acts of terrorism.

Current Status

Fortunately, there is no known intelligence from security agencies indicating any credible threat against any agency or facility within the City. The City will work closely with the County and other local, state, and federal agencies in determining activation levels on a day-to-day basis.

Other Local Security Measures

San Diego International Airport: To learn about current security procedures, rules and regulations at San Diego International Airport and other airports, the Federal Aviation Administration provides aviation information at www.faa.gov. Contact airlines directly for flight information.

U.S./Mexico Border Crossing: For more information, contact the U.S. Border Patrol at 619-216-4182.

San Diego Bay: To find out the current status on boat launches in San Diego Bay, contact the Port of San Diego at 619-686-6272. For the latest news about security rules and regulations, contact the U.S. Coast Guard at 1-800-854-9834.

General Information

General Preparedness

• First and foremost, citizens need to continue living their daily lives. Terrorism is only successful when it disrupts the lives of the citizens of those governments that are targeted.
• Prepare as you would for any natural emergency, such as an earthquake or a flood by having a 3-5 day supply of water and canned or dried food, blankets, flashlights, matches, and other items that are part of any standard emergency kits.
• Have a plan for your family or business that dictates where family members or employees should go under various scenarios. Know what to do if you are in a high-rise building or a car.
• There are a number of good sources of information, including the web sites prepared by the federal government’s READY.GOV program (www.ready.gov) and the San Diego Chapter of the Red Cross (www.sdarc.org).

Where to Obtain Anthrax Information

Anthrax, a biological agent, has caused a great deal of national concern. The way to move forward confidently in your day-to-day activities is to become informed about anthrax. The following, and other, sources can provide that information:

County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency: Bioterrrorism Preparedness and Response

Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Q&A About Anthrax Prevention and Treatment

Smallpox Information

Preparing for a chemical or biological attack

How to Handle Suspicious Mail

Many people have asked questions about how to identify and handle suspicious mail. It is important to make a distinction between explosive device threats versus detecting or suspecting an unknown powder or anthrax. Several common-sense steps have been developed and distributed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They include:

Identifying Suspicious Mail

The following are some characteristics of a suspicious package:

1. Excessive postage
2. Handwritten or poorly typed address
3. Incorrect titles
4. Title, but no name
5. Misspelling of common words
6. Oily stains, discoloration or odor
7. No return address
8. Excessive weight
9. Lopsided or uneven
10. Protruding wires or aluminum foil
11. Excessive security material such as masking tape, string, etc.
12. Visual distractions
13. Unusual sounds

Handling Suspicious Mail

If you suspect a package or letter is a bomb, leave it alone and call the City of San Diego's Police Department immediately. If an unknown powder or anthrax is detected or suspected, the following precautions should be taken:

1. Don't panic.
2. Don't shake the contents.
3. Place the envelope in a plastic bag or cover so it will be isolated.
4. Have all personnel leave the room and close the door.
5. Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
6. Report the incident to the police. If you think it is an emergency with the immediate threat of causing harm, call 9-1-1. If you believe the mail to be merely suspicious, contact the general Police Department number at 619-531-2000. An officer will be sent to the scene to evaluate. If deemed a credible threat, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department will be notified and appropriate units will be dispatched.
7. Notify your supervisor or building security official.
8. List all the people in the room when the package was recognized.

The complete set of Center for Disease Control recommendations for handling mail can be found on that agency's web site.

The U.S. Postal Service has also compiled helpful information on its web site. The web site includes information about mail bombs.

E-Mail Hoaxes

Members of the public have also asked about e-mails regarding terrorism, public safety, anthrax or other related issues. These guidelines should help you determine what to do:

• If you feel the e-mail you receive is real or of concern, please contact the FBI at 858-565-1255, ask for Squad 19, and reference e-mail hoaxes. This will allow the information in the e-mail to be verified or discredited, and the appropriate authorities can take action to inform the public. Do not forward the e-mail to anyone else.
• If you feel the e-mail you receive is false or a hoax, do not forward the e-mail. If you forward or further distribute the e-mail, you will be contributing to unnecessarily raising the concerns of others.

Suspicious Persons or Activities

The citizens of San Diego should be vigilant and aware of their surroundings. Suspicious persons or activities that seem out of the ordinary should be reported to the FBI immediately at 858-565-1255. Confrontations should be avoided. Let the authorities address the issues. In an emergency, call 911.

How to Address Children's Fears

The following source of online information is available to help parents address children's fears:

Talking to Children about Violence

How to Support Local Assistance Efforts