With Americans increasingly concerned about the threat of a new terrorist attack, one lawmaker has produced a self-help guide that gives them step-by-step advice to prepare in advance and cope with the aftermath.
The 24-page booklet, available atPrepareNow.com, is meant to complement other such guides put out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Red Cross and some state governments, saidRep. Robert Pittenger.
“I wanted to produce something that got the attention of people,” said the North Carolina Republican, chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare.”We have to understand reality — that we need to be prepared.”
The risk of terrorism remains relatively low compared to other dangers, such as auto accidents, though polls show Americans increasingly perceive it to be higher than it actually is. An ABC News-Washington Post poll in January found that 76 percent of respondents were either very worried or somewhat worried about the possibility of a major terrorist attack in the United States — an increase of 5 percentage points from October.
Though still low, the risk also is increasing. Last year isshaping up to be the deadliest year for terrorist attacks on record, and law enforcement and intelligence officials say the flow of foreign fighters coming in and out of Iraq and Syria, along with the Islamic State’s propaganda skills, are creating heightened concern about new attacks in the United States.
“I have homegrown violent extremist investigations in every state,” said FBI Director James Comey, in a Feb. 25 speech to the National Association of Attorneys General winter meeting in Washington. “We have investigations of people in various stages of radicalizing in all 50 states.”
The guide includes an explanation of possible types of attacks, including nuclear, biological, chemical and cyber attacks, and describes what to do in case of each. It also includes a list of what should be included in a “ready bag” that can be stored at home to use in an evacuation.
Pittenger, who saidhe’s seen 55 classified documents about attack plots that recently have been thwarted, 12 of which were in the United States, rejects the idea that such a guide might play into what some critics say are irrational fears of terrorism.
“You can have that perspective if you like,” he said, but added:”This is another measure that we feel is appropriate because the threat of terrorism is on the minds of all Americans.”
“We don’t want to be alarmist at all,” he said, but “we want the public to pay attention.”
