WMD/Terrorism Awareness for Emergency Responders)
Course
AWR-160
Question 1:
Q: Which of the following agents is classified as a chemical warfare agent?
A) Anthrax
B) Sarin
C) Smallpox
D) Plague
Answer: B) Sarin
Rationale: Sarin is a nerve agent, which is a type of chemical warfare agent. Anthrax and
plague are biological agents, while smallpox is a viral agent.
Question 2:
Q: What is the primary purpose of the Incident Command System (ICS)?
A) To establish a unified approach to managing incidents
B) To replace local responders with federal teams
C) To allocate national guard resources
D) To develop military-style operations
Answer: A) To establish a unified approach to managing incidents
Rationale: ICS is designed to provide a standardized, on-scene, all-hazard incident
management approach. It helps ensure a coordinated response and efficient resource
allocation.
Question 3:
Q: In a WMD event, which of the following is the primary concern for first responders?
A) Securing evidence for investigations
B) Protecting themselves and the public from harm
C) Making immediate arrests of suspects
D) Conducting decontamination of suspects
Answer: B) Protecting themselves and the public from harm
Rationale: Safety is the top priority for first responders. They must protect themselves and
the public to prevent further injuries or casualties.
Question 4:
,Q: Which biological agent has a high mortality rate and is commonly considered a
potential weapon of bioterrorism?
A) Ebola virus
B) Influenza
C) Botulinum toxin
D) Ricin
Answer: A) Ebola virus
Rationale: Ebola virus has a high mortality rate and can cause severe hemorrhagic fever,
making it a concern in bioterrorism scenarios. Ricin is a toxin, while botulinum toxin can also
be lethal, but Ebola is notable for its contagious nature.
Question 5:
Q: What is the best initial action when arriving at a suspected chemical attack scene?
A) Begin evacuating people from the area
B) Approach from upwind and establish control zones
C) Enter the hot zone to assess the situation
D) Wait for specialized HazMat teams to arrive
Answer: B) Approach from upwind and establish control zones
Rationale: Approaching from upwind reduces exposure risk, and establishing control zones
helps to contain the hazard and control the movement of people around the area.
Question 6:
Q: Which of the following is considered a primary effect of a radiological dispersal
device (RDD)?
A) Infection
B) Contamination
C) Explosion
D) Decontamination
Answer: B) Contamination
Rationale: RDDs disperse radioactive material, leading to environmental and personal
contamination. While an explosion can occur, contamination is the primary intended effect.
Question 7:
Q: Which federal agency typically leads the coordination of federal resources in
response to a WMD incident?
A) FEMA
B) FBI
C) CDC
D) EPA
,Answer: B) FBI
Rationale: The FBI is usually the lead agency in a WMD incident, particularly when
terrorism is suspected, due to its jurisdiction over domestic threats.
Question 8:
Q: In terms of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), which level provides the highest
respiratory and skin protection?
A) Level A
B) Level B
C) Level C
D) Level D
Answer: A) Level A
Rationale: Level A provides the highest level of both respiratory and skin protection and
includes a fully encapsulated suit with an SCBA.
Question 9:
Q: Which of the following is a characteristic of a biological agent used in WMD
incidents?
A) High vapor pressure
B) Long incubation period
C) Instant symptom onset
D) Lack of contagiousness
Answer: B) Long incubation period
Rationale: Biological agents often have an incubation period before symptoms appear, which
can delay detection and containment of the threat.
Question 10:
Q: What is the purpose of decontamination in a WMD event?
A) To neutralize all pathogens immediately
B) To remove or reduce hazardous substances
C) To clean up the entire incident site
D) To disinfect the area for investigation
Answer: B) To remove or reduce hazardous substances
Rationale: Decontamination reduces or removes hazardous materials from individuals,
equipment, and the environment, minimizing the risk of further contamination and exposure.
Question 11:
Q: What is the primary purpose of setting up hot, warm, and cold zones at a hazardous
materials incident?
, A) To prioritize medical treatment
B) To organize decontamination efforts
C) To control access and protect responders
D) To identify areas for evidence collection
Answer: C) To control access and protect responders
Rationale: Hot, warm, and cold zones help establish boundaries that control access and
minimize exposure, thereby protecting responders and others at the scene.
Question 12:
Q: Which WMD category does anthrax fall under?
A) Chemical
B) Biological
C) Radiological
D) Explosive
Answer: B) Biological
Rationale: Anthrax is a bacterium and is classified as a biological agent. It is known to cause
severe respiratory issues if inhaled.
Question 13:
Q: In the event of a suspected radiological attack, what should first responders avoid
doing to prevent contamination?
A) Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in the contaminated area
B) Avoid establishing control zones
C) Avoid using PPE
D) Avoid communicating with others
Answer: A) Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in the contaminated area
Rationale: Avoiding these actions prevents ingestion or inhalation of radioactive particles
and helps limit contamination.
Question 14:
Q: Which personal protective equipment (PPE) level is required when the type of
airborne contaminants is unknown, and high protection is needed?
A) Level D
B) Level C
C) Level B