Terrorism

Plan & Prepare

Photo of the World Trade Center on September 11th

New Jerseyans experienced terrorism first hand on September 11, 2001. Those devastating acts and subsequent threats have left many people concerned about the possibility of future incidents here, and their potential impact.

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, directed by the Governor and in partnership with the State Police, the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of Counter-Terrorism, the State Department of Health and Senior Services, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and other federal, state, and local partners, prepares for all hazards including the many possible forms of terrorism that could threaten New Jersey.

There are also things you can do to prepare for the unexpected and reduce the stress you may feel should another emergency arise. Taking action now, before a crisis takes place, can reassure you and your children that you can exert a measure of control even in the face of such events.

Many of these steps are the same ones you would take to prepare for hurricanes, nor’easters or any other emergency. Being ready now means you are ready for virtually any disaster or crisis that may affect New Jersey.

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Basic Preparedness

  • Prepare yourself and your family by creating an Emergency Supply Kit and a Family Disaster Plan. See our Basic Preparedness page for more details.
    • Your Kit includes items that will help you stay self-sufficient for up to three days, if needed.
    • Your Plan includes evacuation plans, a place to reunite with loved ones, and an out-of-state contact person.

Things to Expect

Health Risks: Terrorist events involving biological, radiological, chemical or other agents may create unique health risks.

  • You should be prepared to listen for official instructions from Public Safety officials, about health risks and the possible availability of emergency treatment.
  • Find fact sheets and other information on emergency health risks at the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Emergency Preparedness Page.

Other Factors: As we learned from the events of September 11, 2001, the following things can happen after a terrorist attack:

  • There may be significant numbers of casualties and / or damage to buildings and infrastructure.
    • Your employer will need up-to-date information about any medical needs you may have, and on how to contact your designated beneficiaries.
  • Heavy law enforcement involvement at local, state and federal levels follows a terrorist attack due to the event’s criminal nature.
  • Health and mental health resources in the affected communities can be strained to their limits, perhaps even overwhelmed.
  • Extensive media coverage, strong public fear and international implications and consequences can continue for a prolonged period.
  • Workplaces and schools may be closed. There may be restrictions on domestic and international travel.
  • You and your family may have to evacuate an area, avoiding roads blocked for your safety.
  • Clean-up may take many months.

National Terrorism Advisory System

In 2011, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) replaced the color-coded alerts of the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) with the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS), designed to more effectively communicate information about terrorist threats by providing timely, detailed information to the American public.

It recognizes that Americans all share responsibility for the nation's security, and should always be aware of the heightened risk of terrorist attack in the United States and what they should do.

For more information please visit http://www.dhs.gov/national-terrorism-advisory-system

  • Remain calm and be patient.
  • Follow the advice of local emergency officials.
  • Listen to your radio or television for news and instructions.
  • Be prepared to:

An act of terrorism may have wide-spread and devastating results. You should be prepared for the following things after an attack:

  • There can be significant numbers of casualties and/or damage to buildings and the infrastructure. So employers need up-to-date information about any medical needs you may have and on how to contact your designated beneficiaries.
  • Heavy law enforcement involvement at local, state and federal levels follows a terrorist attack due to the event's criminal nature.
  • Health and mental health resources in the affected communities can be strained to their limits, maybe even overwhelmed.
  • Extensive media coverage, strong public fear and international implications and consequences can continue for a prolonged period.
  • Workplaces and schools may be closed, and there may be restrictions on domestic and international travel.
  • You and your family or household may have to evacuate an area, avoiding roads blocked for your safety.

Additional Positive Steps You Can Take

Raw, unedited footage of terrorism events and people's reaction to those events can be very upsetting, especially to children.

Please keep this in mind when considering whether your children should watch television news reports, especially if the news reports show images over and over again about the same incident. Young children do not realize it is repeated footage, and may think the event is happening again and again.

Adults may also need to give themselves a break from watching disturbing footage.

However, listening to local radio and television reports will provide you with the most accurate information from responsible governmental authorities on what is happening and what actions you should take. A battery-powered radio is a vital part of your Emergency Kit.

You may therefore want to make arrangements to take turns listening to the news with other adult members of your household.


First Aid and CERT Training

Another very useful preparation comes fromlearning basic first aid, or from CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) or Citizen Corps training.

CERT training is directed by the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, and includes 20 hours of instruction over an eight-week period. Training is available to everyone, regardless of their age or level of physical ability.

CERT members are ordinary New Jersey residents who provide critical support to first responders and to their fellow residents during emergencies. Undergoing CERT training is a great way to feel empowered in the event of virtually any emergency. The CERT course includes:

  • Basic disaster preparedness
  • Disaster fire suppression
  • Disaster medical operations, including patient assessment, triage and treatment strategies for various conditions and injuries
  • Light search and rescue operations
  • Disaster psychology
  • An overview of terrorism
  • A disaster simulation exercise appropriate to your community.

To learn more about CERT or Citizen Corps follow or call (609) 538-6060.

Decontamination and Other Instructions:

People who may have come in contact with a biological or chemical agent may need to go through a decontamination procedure.

Listen to the advice of local officials on the radio or television to determine what steps you will need to take to protect yourself and your family.

Examples of Terrorist Hazards including what to do Before, During and After, can be found on the FEMA Ready.Gov web site: