Types of events
| Type | Example |
| Big bang | Explosion, crash, fire, single attack |
| Rising tide | Influenza, staffing crisis |
| Cloud on the horizon | Industrial accident abroad, ash cloud |
| Natural disaster | Flood, severe weather |
| Headline news | Alarm about a personal threat |
| Deliberate release of CBRN materials | Anthrax, acid attacks, polonium-210 |
| Preplanned major event | Olympics, music festival |
CBRN, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear.