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The City of New Orleans

Hazards

Active Threats - Terrorism

Definition

Terrorism is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations as “the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives” (28 C.F.R. Section 0.85).

There are different types of terrorism, depending on the target of an attack, which are:

Political Terrorism

Bio-Terrorism

Cyber-Terrorism

Nuclear-Terrorism

Narco-terrorism

Terrorist activities are also classified based on the motivation behind the event:

  • ideology (i.e., religious fundamentalism, national separatist movements, and social revolutionary movements).
  • Terrorism can also be random, with no ties to ideological reasoning. 

The FBI also provides clear definitions of a terrorist incident and prevention:

  • A terrorist incident is a violent act or an act dangerous to human life, in violation of the criminal laws of the United States, or of any state, to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. 
  • Terrorism prevention is a documented instance in which a violent act by a known or suspected terrorist group or individual with the means and a proven propensity for violence is successfully interdicted through investigative activity.

The Department of Homeland Security and its affiliated agencies are responsible for disseminating information regarding terrorist activities in the country. The system in place is the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS). NTAS replaced the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS), which was the color-coded system put in place after the September 11th attacks by Presidential Directive 5 and 8 in March of 2002. NTAS replaced HSAS in 2011. 

NTAS is based on a system of analyzing threat levels and providing either an imminent threat alert or an elevated threat alert. 

  • An Imminent Threat Alert warns of a credible, specific, and impending terrorist threat against the United States. 
  • An Elevated Threat Alert warns of a credible terrorist threat against the United States. 

The Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with other federal agencies, will decide whether a threat alert of one kind or the other should be issued should credible information be available. 

Each alert provides a statement summarizing the potential threat and what, if anything, should be done to ensure public safety.

The NTAS Alerts will be based on the nature of the threat: in some cases, alerts will be sent directly to law enforcement or affected areas of the private sector, while in others, alerts will be issued more broadly to the American people through both official and media channels.

An individual threat alert is issued for a specific time period and then automatically expires. It may be extended if new information becomes available or the threat evolves. The sunset provision contains a specific date when the alert expires as there will not be a constant NTAS Alert or blanket warning that there is an overreaching threat. If threat information changes for an alert, the Secretary of Homeland Security may announce an updated NTAS Alert. All changes, including the announcement that cancels an NTAS Alert, will be distributed the same way as the original alert. 

Location and Extent of the Terrorism Hazard  

The location and extent of this hazard are unknown. Terrorist attacks can vary greatly in scale and magnitude. Historically, incidents have occurred near abortion facilities, the Louis Armstrong airport, hotels, and law enforcement facilities. Special events and large public gatherings, including Mardi Gras, protests, and sporting events, create potential targets for terrorist attacks.

Severity of the Terrorism hazard

The unpredictable nature of terrorism is such that severity can range from very isolated occurrences of property damage with limited injuries to large scale events with catastrophic impacts to lives and property. 

Previous Occurrences of the Terrorism Hazard

The Planning team utilized the Global Terrorism Database, maintained by the University of Maryland and National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. This database contains information on terrorist attacks that occurred over the entire world. According to this database, there have been seven terrorist attacks in the planning area from 1970 to 2018. There have been two events reported from 2015 to 2018. Terrorism is ideologically driven, and it is almost certain that some past and current events that were terrorism have not been covered nor counted as such.

Hazard Impacts

Impact on Life and Property

The unpredictable nature of terrorism is such that impacts can range from very isolated occurrences of property damage with limited injuries to large scale events with catastrophic impacts to lives and property.

The impact of terrorism can include the destruction of community assets and cultural resources, along with the disruption of cultural events, causing significant impacts to the social fabric of the city and its people.

Vulnerability

For this hazard, we are unable to calculate the probability due to insufficient data and unclear methodologies.

Relevant Actions

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Winter Weather, Active Threats, Infrastructure Failure
Goal:
Goal 2: Reduce risk and vulnerability to the built environment including current and future structures; critical facilities; historic structures; and infrastructure, including communications infrastructure.
Status:
Timeframe:
2-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Office of Resilience & Sustainability)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time, Contract Labor
Funding source:
Homeland Security, FEMA, Health and Human Services
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 2, ESF 4, ESF 6, ESF 8, ESF 10

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Subsidence, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Infectious Disease Outbreak, Active Threats, Infrastructure Failure, Hazardous Materials, Economic Shock
Goal:
Goal 4: Maximize the involvement of individuals, businesses, and groups in risk reduction measures through education/outreach on hazard mitigation appropriate to all groups, particularly vulnerable populations.
Status:
Timeframe:
3-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time, Contract Labor
Funding source:
City capital bond funds, GOMESA, CDBG, CDBG-NDR, Sewerage and Water Board, State capital outlay, FHWA, FEMA-HMGP, US Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 1, ESF 3

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Storm Surge, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Subsidence, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Infectious Disease Outbreak, Active Threats, Infrastructure Failure, Hazardous Materials, Economic Shock
Goal:
Goal 4: Maximize the involvement of individuals, businesses, and groups in risk reduction measures through education/outreach on hazard mitigation appropriate to all groups, particularly vulnerable populations.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-5 years
Priority:
High
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Office of Resilience & Sustainability)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time
Funding source:
CNO General Fund, State and Federal Grants, Philanthropic Grants
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 15

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Subsidence, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Infectious Disease Outbreak, Active Threats, Infrastructure Failure, Hazardous Materials, Economic Shock
Goal:
Goal 4: Maximize the involvement of individuals, businesses, and groups in risk reduction measures through education/outreach on hazard mitigation appropriate to all groups, particularly vulnerable populations.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time
Funding source:
State and Federal Grants
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 5, ESF 7

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Subsidence, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Infectious Disease Outbreak, Active Threats, Infrastructure Failure, Hazardous Materials, Economic Shock
Goal:
Goal 6: To protect Orleans Parish and the surrounding region from the effects of natural and manmade hazards, ensuring community continuity in the event of such hazards.
Status:
Timeframe:
3-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Office of Resilience & Sustainability, Neighborhood Engagement Office)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time
Funding source:
CNO General Fund, State and Federal Grants, Philanthropic Grants
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 7, ESF 14

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Active Threats
Goal:
Goal 6: To protect Orleans Parish and the surrounding region from the effects of natural and manmade hazards, ensuring community continuity in the event of such hazards.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-5 years
Priority:
High
2015 Priority:
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
TBD
Funding source:
CNO General Fund, State and Federal Grants
Emergency Support Function:

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Subsidence, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Infectious Disease Outbreak, Active Threats, Infrastructure Failure, Hazardous Materials, Economic Shock
Goal:
Goal 6: To protect Orleans Parish and the surrounding region from the effects of natural and manmade hazards, ensuring community continuity in the event of such hazards.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
Lead Agencies:
HANO
Support Agencies:
Cost:
TBD
Funding source:
TBD
Emergency Support Function:

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
All
Goal:
Goal 2: Reduce risk and vulnerability to the built environment including current and future structures; critical facilities; historic structures; and infrastructure, including communications infrastructure.
Status:
Timeframe:
TBD
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
SWBNO Emergency Mgmt
Support Agencies:
Cost:
21000000
Funding source:
PDM/SWBNO
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 6

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Active Threats
Goal:

Goal 1: Reduce risk and vulnerability to the human environment including cultural resources, homeowners, renters, visitors, and transient populations.

Status:
Timeframe:
1-2 years
Priority:
2015 Priority:
Lead Agencies:
Tulane Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response/OHES
Support Agencies:
Cost:
Staff Time and Materials
Funding source:
GOHSEP; FEMA
Emergency Support Function:

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