Most communities have emergency plans, but most were designed
to deal with natural disasters. Many other kinds of emergencies-- including
terrorism, school shootings, or major transportation accidents--need proactive
planning to address the needs of communities, the environment, agriculture,
business, families, and individuals. We have the people, knowledge, systems,
and ability to be prepared to prevent disaster, and to be ready to respond when
necessary.
Extension serves as an educational resource and facilitator,
partnering with local, regional, and state organizations, governments, and public
health agencies. On this website, you will find links that will help you better
understand the depth and complexity of these issues, provide some basic facts,
and begin to connect you with University and other resources that will help
your communities and families take control of your safety and security.
University
of Minnesota Extension Service
Bioterrorism and Agroterrorism -- The events of September
11th, 2001 and the subsequent U.S. illnesses and deaths resulting from anthrax
exposure have heightened the world’s awareness and concern regarding several
forms of potential terrorism. Among the scenarios widely discussed are various
forms of bioterrorism and agroterrorism.
Bioterrorism is defined by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service as the use of biological agents to intentionally produce
disease or intoxication in susceptible populations to meet terrorist goals.
Agroterrorism has been defined as the act of any person knowingly
or maliciously using biological agents as weapons against the agricultural
industry and the food supply. (Definition from Steve Cain, Purdue Extension
Specialist)
These are big topics, and are impossible to describe fully in a single web
page. Understanding, preventing, preparing for, or responding to a potential
bio- or agroterrorism event is a complicated and multi-faceted issue. Governmental
entities at all levels (international, national, state, county, and local),
health professionals, veterinarians, scientists, educators, and a host of others
must be involved. One of the biggest hurdles that federal and state governments
are working hard to overcome is the issue of communication and coordination
among the various parties involved. If a larger-scale bio- or agroterrorism
event were to occur in the United States, one of the most important factors
that would determine the ultimate impact would be the rapid detection of the
hazardous agents. Other crucial factors would include: diagnosis of human, animal,
or environmental symptoms as well as a quick and appropriate response and medical
care involving multiple levels of our healthcare and scientific communities.
University of Minnesota Extension Service
University of Minnesota Resources
Other Extension Resources
Other Recommended Resources
- Anti-Terrorism
Efforts from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture -- Information
for farmers, dairy processors, food processors, and persons who handle, transport,
or store chemicals/pesticides.
- Bioterrorism
Information for the General Public -- from the Minnesota Department
of Health, including well-organized fact sheets, photos, and a list of related
hoaxes and rumors. Also, fact sheets written in Hmong, Spanish, Somali, and
Russian.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) -- The lead federal agency on health related issues related to human
exposures to biological and chemical agents, and also serves as a key source
of knowledge for local healthcare and public health personnel.
University of Minnesota Extension Service
- Facilitation
Resources – Any community emergency response plan will need citizen
involvement to collect relevant information, address issues with intelligence,
and initiate public meetings, as well as the coordination of a variety of
organizations and resources. This series of publications includes: Understanding
Facilitation; Contracting and Handling Logistics; Getting Focused: Vision/Mission/Goals;
Managing Group Interaction; Making Group Decisions; Dealing With Group Conflict;
Utilizing Diversity Power, and Ethics; and Designing a Volunteer Facilitation
Program.
- Restoring
Hope in the Wake of Terrorism -- Resources for parents, teachers and
other educators who work with children, adolescents, families, and communities,
as they reacted to the terrorism of September 11th.
Other Extension Resources
- Response to
September 11: Community Development Tools -- from the University of
Missouri-Columbia Community Development Extension Program. State and regional
community development specialists began considering ways to individually and
collectively lend assistance to Missouri communities.
- The Disaster Handbook
for Extension Agents -- Contains chapters and detailed information
on a range of disaster-related concerns including floods, fires, drought,
winter storms, and tornadoes. Includes a section on community and family issues.
Other Recommended Resources
University of Minnesota Extension Service
- Getting Through
Tough Times -- College of Human Ecology Outreach resources for families
and communities as we face challenging circumstances in these uncertain economic
and political times.
- Let
Your Children Know it's Okay to Talk About War and Peace -- Extension
news release
- Restoring
Hope in the Wake of Terrorism -- Resources for parents, teachers,
and other educators who work with children, adolescents, families, and communities,
as they reacted to the terrorism of September 11th.
- Change:
Loss, Opportunity, and Resilience -- Describes the stages that people
go through when they experience life changes. Presents ways to cope with change,
and to possibly see change as an opportunity.
- Adjusting
to Suddenly Reduced Income -- Helps people who have sudden income
loss by taking into account both emotional and financial aspects.
- Living
Resourcefully With Reduced Income -- Strategies to help deal with
an unexpected drop in income. Information on bill paying priorities, bankruptcy,
and community resources for food, housing, financial, and medical help.
- Communicating
with Children -- Rural MN Life, from the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment
Station, the College of Human Ecology, and the University of Minnesota Extension
Service.
- Farm Alarm
– Coping with Stress -- A unique collection of educational information,
publications, and programs to help farm families and rural communities deal
with unresolved stress.
University of Minnesota Resources
Other Extension Resources
Other Recommended Resources
Credits
Content:
- John Shutske
Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Specialist, Department of Biosystems
& Agricultural Engineering, and University of Minnesota Extension Service
- Jodi Dworkin
Family Development Specialist, Department of Family Social Science, Family
Resource Management
- Rodney Hamer
Extension Organization and Program Development Specialist, University of Minnesota
Extension Service
- Marian Anderson
Association of Minnesota Counties Extension Fellow, External Relations, University
of Minnesota Extension Service
- Dean Herzfeld
Coordinator, Health, Environment and Pest Safety Specialist, Department of
Plant Pathology and University of Minnesota Extension Service
- Trudy Dunham
CYFERnet Coordinator, Center for 4-H Youth Development
Web Development:
- Karen Lilley
Product Manager, Extension Communication Specialist, Communication and Educational
Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension Service
- Jim Lind
Student Website Developer, Communication and Educational Technology Services,
University of Minnesota Extension Service
- Matthew James Buell
Student Website Developer, Communication and Educational Technology Services,
University of Minnesota Extension Service
Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of
Minnesota Extension.
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