OSC Guardian - Safety Advice

OSC GUARDIAN - SAFETY ADVICE
www.OramSecurity.com

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Can you help fight terrorism?

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 79% of U.S. voters now think it is likely there will be another terrorist attack in the United States in the next year.

Is this really a surprise? Any time a “terrorist” attack is attempted in the United States, whether it succeeds or not, the public feels threatened. That is the goal of terrorism. To bring terror to people.
The FBI defines Terrorism as:
“The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a Government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.”

Terrorists do not think of themselves as terrorists. You may have heard the phrase “One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter”. By the definition of the FBI, some “Patriots” during the American Revolution were terrorists. We need to understand this, to help us understand where some of the attackers are coming from.

Now, if the attack is outside of the US, then our perceived level of threat is much lower yet in some ways, it should be even higher. If a terrorist attack is successful overseas, then the terrorists have found an operation that works. An operation that can now be applied inside the United States.

Due to the recent attempt by a Nigerian suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who attempted to blow up Northwest Airlines flight 253, a Delta-owned Airbus 330, as it approached Detroit on a flight from Amsterdam over Christmas, our perceived threat level has risen. We see the lines at the airport and read about how TSA and the US Government is keeping us safe and yet we still have attempts and successful breaches of our vaunted transportation security. What needs to be understood, is how many attacks have been foiled by our Intelligence agencies. The FBI inside the US and the CIA, NSA and others elsewhere.

One of the greatest assets that we have when it comes to fighting terrorism in the Unites States is YOU. Yes, you. If you keep your eyes and ears open, you might catch the one little clue that will help our Law Enforcement stop an attack. Everyone pays attention once an attack has occurred, or when a recent attack was foiled, but we need to be even more vigilant during times of calm. Listed below are 7 Signs of possible terrorist attack. They are not all the indicators, but they are the basic ones that you can be aware of on a daily basis.

1. Surveillance
The first sign is someone trying to monitor or record activities. If terrorists are targeting a specific area they will most likely be observed in that area during the planning phase of the operation. Terrorists will attempt to determine the strengths, weaknesses, and number of personnel that may respond to an incident. Routes to and from the target are usually established during the surveillance phase. It is important to note suspicious actions such as someone using cameras (still or video), drawing diagrams or annotating on maps, using vision-enhancing devices, and being in possession of floor plans or blueprints of places such as high-tech firms, financial institutions, or government/military facilities. Any of these surveillance type acts MAY be an indicator that something is not right and should be reported immediately. Nothing is too insignificant.

2. Seeking Information
The second sign is the attempt to gain information though inquiries. This includes anyone attempting to gain information about a place, person or operation. Elicitation attempts can be made by mail, fax, telephone, or in person. Examples would be someone inquiring about a critical infrastructure like a power plant, water reservoir or a maritime port. Terrorists may attempt to research bridge and tunnel usage, make unusual inquiries concerning shipments or look into how a facility such as a hospital operates. They may also attempt to place “key” people in sensitive work locations to gain intelligence.

3. Tests Of Security
Tests of security or probing are techniques terrorists would use to attempt to gather data. These are usually conducted by driving past or even penetrating the target, moving into sensitive areas, and observing security or law enforcement response. Specific areas of interest to terrorists would include how long it takes security or law enforcement to respond to an incident, number of responding personnel, or the routes taken to a specific location. Terrorists may also try to penetrate physical security barriers or test the response procedures in order to assess strengths and weaknesses. Vehicles may be parked for unusually long periods of time, sometimes in no parking areas, as a test of security.

4. Acquiring Supplies
This may be a case where someone is purchasing or stealing explosives, weapons or ammunition. It could be the unusual purchasing or storing of fertilizer or harmful chemicals. Terrorists would also find it useful to acquire law enforcement equipment and identification, military uniforms and decals, as well as flight passes, badges or even flight manuals. Terrorists often use false or stolen identification documents including passports and driver licenses. They may try to produce counterfeit identification by photocopying. Any of these items would make it easier to gain entrance to secured or usually prohibited areas. Anyone wearing a uniform should have the proper identification on them.

5. Suspicious People Who Do Not Belong
Another pre-incident indicator is observing suspicious people who just don’t belong. This includes suspicious border crossings, stowaways aboard a ship or people jumping ship in a port. It could be someone in a workplace, building, neighborhood or business establishment who does not fit in because of their demeanor or unusual questions he/she is asking, or statement they make. This does not mean we should profile individuals, but it does mean we should profile behaviors.

6. Dry Run - Trial Run
Another sign to watch is for “dry runs.” Before the execution of the final operation or plan, a practice session will be run to work out the flaws and unanticipated problems. This is especially true when planning a kidnapping but it can also pertain to bombings. A dry run may be the heart of the planning stage of a terrorist act. If you find someone monitoring a police radio frequency and recording emergency response times, you may be observing a dry run. Multiple dry runs may be conducted at or near the target to gain intelligence.

7. Deploying Assets – Getting Into Position
The seventh and final sign to look for is someone deploying assets or getting into position. This is your last chance to alert authorities before the terrorist act occurs. It is also important to remember that pre-incident indicators may come months or even years apart. Therefore, it is extremely important to document every fragment of information, no matter how insignificant it may appear, and forward this information to your state Police Department of Federal Bureau of Investigation.


As the passengers on Flight 253 did, we all need to be ready to act. Taking action could be notifying Law Enforcement if something does not seem right, it could be helping those that are hurt or it could be stepping up and stopping an attack when we see it.

Stay safe!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

When preparing for a Disaster, don't forget your pets!

Our pets are not just animals, for most of us, they are members of our families. But they are members that depend on us for both their safety and their well-being. There are things that you can do to be prepared in case of an emergency.

1. Find a safe place to take your pet.
  • The Red Cross can only accept service animals in their shelters. IE seeing eye dogs etc.
  • Check with local hotels outside your immediate area to find out their policies on accepting pets and if they will wave them during an emergency.
  • Ask friends and relatives if they will take them for the time of the emergency.
  • Prepare a list of veterinarians that may take boarding pets. Get 24 hour numbers if possible.

2. Make or buy a portable Pet Disaster kit.

You may not know how long you will be away from your home. Keep items you will need in a a sturdy container that can be easily carried. You should keep the following items in your kit.

  • Any medicines and medical records for your pet. Keep them in a water proof container.
  • A first aid kit.
  • Strong leaches, and or carriers that will allow you to transport your pet safely.
  • A current photo in case they get lost. You can use a camera phone to take the pic.
  • Food, drinking water, litter, can opener, bowl for food and water.
  • One or two small toys.
  • Info on feeding schedules, meds and behavior etc.

3. What you can do if you know a disaster is approaching.

Many times warnings are issued hours or even days in advance.

  • Start calling to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your pets.
  • Check to make sure all your supplies are ready to go.
  • Make sure that you have a strong collar with all the current tags on your pets. You can use tape to add a phone number of the shelter where they will stay or a relative outside the disaster area.

The New Oram Security Blog!

Oram Security is proud to announce our new Security and Safety Blog! We will be posting interesting articles, safety and security tips as well as information on firearms instruction!