Item 26 - Adoption of the City of Santa Ana Emergency Operations Plan

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City of Santa Ana Emergency Operations Plan Part I Basic Plan equipment and have been trained to use it properly, the presence of a radiation hazard may not be discovered until people begin experiencing symptoms of radiation poisoning. Nuclear devices are explosive devices that derive their destructive force from a nuclear reaction. Nuclear devices cause deadly effects when exploded, including blinding light, intense heat, blast damage, nuclear radiation, intense fires, and widespread radioactive fallout that contaminates air, water and soil for miles. A nuclear device can range from an intercontinental ballistic missile launched by a hostile nation or terrorist organization, to a small portable device transported by an individual in a vehicle, suitcase or other large package. A terrorist attack with a nuclear weapon would impact a much larger area than a conventional explosion, would cause intense radiation sickness to those not killed in the explosion but exposed to contamination, and would create long term health effects to humans, animals and food and water supplies. However, the ability to obtain enriched nuclear materials, to design a successful nuclear explosion and to deliver the device to a target is much more difficult and expensive to carry out than other terrorist tactics, making a nuclear attack much less likely. Conventional Explosive devices are used to kill, seriously injure, or incapacitate people through physical injury and to destroy structures. Conventional explosives are easily obtained and constructed and are by far the weapon of choice for terrorists. The components are readily available, as are detailed instructions on constructing such a device. They are easily hidden or deployed and can cause extensive damage. These devices may be constructed from military grade bombs or weapons captured or abandoned in war zones, but can also be easily constructed as improvised explosive devices (IED's). IED's can be assembled from readily available materials, including commercially available fertilizer and petroleum products, blasting products used in construction or demolition industries, or products available to any consumer like fireworks, gasoline, diesel fuel or propane tanks. Secondary explosive devices may also be used as weapons against police and medical responders arriving in response to the explosion of a primary device. Alternative Weapons or Tactics — Terrorist tactics change as prevention and protection efforts improve against previously used tactics. Alternative weapons and tactics are often low cost, using easily available items and can be carried out almost spontaneously with little planning or preparation. (See Targeted Act of Violence Assessment Section 2.4.9) These include: • Active Shooters —Utilizing high -capacity firearms to shoot as many persons as possible in crowded venues before intervention by law enforcement or other resistance. • Vehicles as Weapons — Driving a car or truck into a crowded pedestrian plaza, shopping market or other public gathering. • Combined Coordinated Attacks — Multiple active shooters attacking multiple public gathering spots simultaneously, which can also be combined with conventional explosive devices to increase injuries and panic, to impede evacuation or escape, or to slow or impair the response of police or medical responders. Cyber-Terrorism - Cyber-attacks and intrusions can be used by criminals, terrorists, insiders, and hostile foreign nations to mask other attacks, shake citizens' confidence in the government, damage the economy or disrupt delivery of essential services. As this threat continues to grow and evolve, concerns about the potentially severe consequences of an effective cyber-attack against critical infrastructure facilities and systems increases. Cyber threats result in the denial or disruption of essential services, including utilities, public health, finance, or law enforcement networks. A variety of attacks can by conducted by skilled cyber actors intent on harming municipal interests. Cyber threats range from stealing organizational data, interrupting operational efforts, or sabotaging or destroying physical technological infrastructure. In the past, cyber actors have targeted multiple Orange County entities. Common tactics have included the use of ransom -ware, website defacements, distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, or doxing (releasing hacked documents which reveal personal or confidential information about individuals, businesses or government functions). 55