Level 1 Antiterrorism Awareness Training: Protect Yourself and Others

Introduction

Terrorism is a serious threat to our safety and security. In the United States, there were over 7,000 terrorist incidents in 2017, resulting in over 500 deaths. The vast majority of these incidents were carried out by lone wolves or small groups of individuals.

While terrorism is a complex and evolving threat, there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself and others. This Level 1 Antiterrorism Awareness Training will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to identify and report suspicious activities.

Objectives

Upon completing this training, you will be able to:

• Define terrorism and identify different types of terrorist threats
• Describe the signs and indicators of suspicious activity
• Report suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities
• Take steps to protect yourself and others from terrorist attacks

What is Terrorism?

Terrorism is the use of violence or the threat of violence to achieve political or ideological goals. Terrorism can take many forms, including:

• Bombings
• Shootings
• Kidnappings
• Arson
• Cyberattacks

Terrorism is often carried out by groups or individuals who feel that they have been marginalized or oppressed. They may use terrorism to try to change government policies, gain attention for their cause, or intimidate their opponents.

Types of Terrorist Threats

There are many different types of terrorist threats, including:

• Domestic terrorism: Terrorism carried out by individuals or groups within the United States.
• International terrorism: Terrorism carried out by individuals or groups outside the United States.
• Lone wolf terrorism: Terrorism carried out by individuals who are not affiliated with any terrorist organization.
• State-sponsored terrorism: Terrorism carried out by a government or its agents.

Signs and Indicators of Suspicious Activity

There are many signs and indicators of suspicious activity that could be related to terrorism. These include:

• Unusual behavior: People who are acting nervously or suspiciously, such as avoiding eye contact, fidgeting, or sweating excessively.
• Surveillance: People who are watching or following you or your property for an extended period of time.
• Unusual items: Objects that are out of place or seem to be dangerous, such as backpacks, suitcases, or boxes that are left unattended.
• Suspicious activity: People who are engaging in activities that are not normal for the area, such as taking pictures of sensitive locations or asking strange questions.

Reporting Suspicious Activity

If you see something suspicious, it is important to report it to the authorities immediately. You can do this by calling 911 or your local law enforcement agency.

When reporting suspicious activity, be sure to provide as much information as possible, including:

• What you saw
• Where you saw it
• When you saw it
• Who you saw
• Any other details that you think are important

Protecting Yourself and Others from Terrorist Attacks

There are many things you can do to protect yourself and others from terrorist attacks, including:

• Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to the people and things around you, and be aware of anything that seems out of place.
• Trust your instincts: If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
• Report suspicious activity: If you see something suspicious, report it to the authorities immediately.
• Prepare an emergency plan: Have a plan in place for what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. This plan should include a place to meet, a way to contact each other, and a way to evacuate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When reporting suspicious activity, it is important to avoid making common mistakes, such as:

• Overreacting: Not everything that is suspicious is a terrorist threat. If you are not sure whether or not something is suspicious, it is better to err on the side of caution and report it to the authorities.
• Underreacting: Do not ignore suspicious activity because you think it is not important. Even the smallest piece of information could be helpful in preventing a terrorist attack.
• Reporting false information: Only report information that you believe is true. Reporting false information can waste the time and resources of law enforcement agencies.

Conclusion

Terrorism is a serious threat, but it is one that we can overcome by working together. By being aware of the signs and indicators of suspicious activity, reporting suspicious activity to the authorities, and taking steps to protect ourselves and others, we can help to keep our communities safe.