Homeland Security issues advice to businesses on terror attacks

The United States Thursday issued detailed instructions to small and medium sized businesses on how to prepare for and respond to attacks involving weapons of mass destruction.

The Homeland Security Department launched its Ready Business campaign, instructing companies on how to recognize and react to biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological attacks, as well as natural disasters and non-WMD terrorist attacks. The campaign builds on the existing, more general Ready America program.

"The current state of private-sector preparedness in an age of terrorism remains a concern," Sept. 11 commission Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton said at a Ready Business launch hosted here by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Many companies fail to see the benefit or need for preparedness, while others acknowledge the importance of planning for an incident but do not know how to do so, said Hamilton, who is also a member of President Bush's Homeland Security Advisory Council.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge officially kicked off the new campaign, telling those at the launch that the approach being promoted is "quite simple: get a kit, make a plan and be informed."

Advertising Council President Peggy Conlon presented two print advertisements promoting business preparedness, as well as a Ready Business Web site set up as a resource for companies.

Companies should be vigilant about the possibility of chemical and biological attacks via the mail and should make heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems - through which, experts fear, terrorists could deliver biological or chemical agents - as secure as possible, Homeland Security says on the Web site.

The Web site includes a wide range of advice, telling businesses, "Never use a generator inside, as it may produce deadly carbon monoxide gas," and, "Create opportunities for breaks where co-workers can talk openly about their fears and hopes."

Much of the material on the site - organized under the rubrics "Plan to Stay in Business," "Talk to Your People" and "Protect Your Investment" - is devoted to WMD preparedness and response. One section encourages companies to "be informed" about biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological threats, stressing the importance of watching television and listening to the radio during a suspected attack.

The department outlines potential signs that a WMD event may be taking place and offers criteria for deciding whether to take steps such as sheltering in place and seeking medical care. The Web site indicates that a biological attack "may or may not be immediately obvious," that dead birds or fish may indicate the presence of dangerous chemicals and that in a suspected radiological attack, workers should stay inside and turn off ventilation systems.

"During a nuclear incident, it is important to avoid radioactive material, if possible," the department says. "While experts may predict at this time that a nuclear attack is less likely than other types, terrorism by its nature is unpredictable."

The department also released a fact sheet listing the approximate costs of various actions businesses can take to prepare for an attack. Homeland Security said many steps, such as taking inventory and drawing up a list of emergency contractors, can be taken for free, while others, such as offering first-aid training to workers, can cost less than $500.

"The consequences of not taking action could be severe," Ridge said at the launch.