CBRN and Hazmat Incidents at Major Public Events: Planning and Response

SCENARIO G

Industrial HAZMAT Accidents

BACKGROUND

A high percentage of major events occur in and around cities. Since we live in a technological society, modern urban areas can have many facilities that produce, use, or store HAZMAT for a variety of reasons. Some of the substances routinely in use in modern industry are as dangerous as any chemical weapon, given the right combination of circumstances. Therefore, the presence of commercial and industrial HAZMAT in and around major events may be difficult to avoid. Planning efforts must account for HAZMAT accidents.

Accidents are not the only mechanism for dispersal of industrial HAZMAT. Deliberate acts, such as the use of explosives and sabotage, may end up causing dispersal of dangerous materials in a way that is not materially different from an accident. Indeed, suspicious accidents should be investigated to rule out sabotage or other deliberate acts.

SCENARIO

An international summit meeting is being hosted to discuss development issues around the world. Thirty different countries are sending government delegations to this fourday meeting. Hundreds of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), such as aid groups and special-interest groups, are also attending. A total of over 2000 delegates is expected to attend. Some groups and individuals are protesting and conducting demonstrations at various locations around the city. Other than the expected demonstrations, no particular security threats have been noted. Intelligence agencies point ...