If there is a possibility of a terrorist threat, which hazards might be involved?

• A. Toxic agents
• B. Bomb threat
• C. Either a or b
• D. Neither a nor b

Answer: (C)

When a terrorist threat is possible, the hazards you must be prepared for can include toxic agents as well as explosive devices. A threat could involve chemical or biological contaminants to harm people, a bomb or explosive device, or both in combination (for example, a device that also disperses toxic material). That’s why the option that covers either possibility is the best choice.

Choosing only toxic agents misses the potential for an explosion, while choosing only a bomb threat misses the risk of toxic exposure. Dismissal of both would ignore real hazards that responders must plan for. In practice, emergency planning addresses multiple hazards, with procedures for detection, protection, evacuation or sheltering, and decontamination as needed.