Written by Sarah Adams and posted on X HERE.
Wave One Response: What to Do When an Attack Begins
Understanding the waves from the Hamas attack in 2023 could literally save your life. This first wave of terrorist attacks may involve IEDs, suicide bombers, vehicle rammings, coordinated attacks by trained active shooters, or the downing of airliners. Act as if the worst-case scenario is unfolding.
So, when what feels like wave one hits, what should you do?
For everyday Americans (not in a first responder role), there is only one immediate goal: Get Off the X
· Move away from the scene (or, if you are not near the initial attack, return home and go into lockdown).
· Find a secure structure or locked room.
· Assume more attackers are coming; it is likely not safe to render aid.
· Do not touch unattended items.
· Move others quickly and calmly.
· Take essentials only.
· Log off social feeds immediately and any live streams.
· Verify anyone claiming to be police.
For our Friends in Law Enforcement:
1. Assume you’re the target.
2. Have markings to identify one another. And do not post what they are under this!
3. Prior red-teaming should have identified routine law-enforcement habits visible during pre-surveillance that terrorists could exploit; change them.
4. Add multiple small movements or disturbances meant to mask larger movements.
5. Control scene density to avoid being a secondary target.
6. Check beyond the obvious; there will be IEDs, plan for it. Do not attempt render-safe unless certified.
7. Be aware of sticky bombs. If something is attached to a vehicle/door, back away and do not try to dislodge adhesives or magnets.
8. For suicide bombers: 1, 2, or 3 responders max. Control the arms, take them to the ground to limit blast radius and/or handle with lethal force to the cranium.
9. Please treat any bomb as containing caustic materials and handle initially as HAZMAT.
10. Employ a verification system for friendly arriving forces.
11. Enforce communications discipline and use predetermined phrasing to mask actions—attackers will attempt to monitor and exploit your response.
12. Medical staging and evacuation routing must be planned with contingencies for secondary and tertiary attack waves.
13. Rapid correction of misinformation must occur regarding what the public is seeing and hearing.
Godspeed,
Sarah Adams
CIA Targeter [RET]
If this information helps you, please consider a paid subscription …
