ALAT Chapter 3 Facility Security

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Which of the following is NOT a reason for having a disaster plan in a research animal facility?

To provide information about how to evacuate personnel and animals (correct)
To ensure the safety of people and animals during a fire
To safeguard the facility from unwarranted intrusions
To address the types of disasters that would most likely affect the facility

What is one example of a disaster that may affect a research animal facility?

Flooding near waterways (correct)
Heavy snowfall in winter
Strong winds during a thunderstorm
Heatwaves in the summer

Why is easy access to the disaster plan important during a disaster?

To provide information about evacuation routes
To ensure the safety of people and animals (correct)
To update the plan regularly
To post signs or notices in high-traffic areas

Which of the following should be included in a disaster plan for an animal facility?

A list of emergency contact information for key personnel and departments (A) Signup and view all the answers

What should be done during an emergency if evacuating animals jeopardizes staff safety?

Make arrangements for animal housing, water, and feed (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of conducting disaster drills in an animal facility?

To measure the effectiveness of institution-wide emergency systems (C) Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to maintain overall security in an animal facility?

Implement safeguards against theft and vandalism (D) Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you receive a threatening phone call, email message, or letter?

Immediately leave the area and report the incident to your supervisor or police (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of participating in staff training on disaster and security plans?

To assess and improve your response to a real incident (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of drills arranged by your institution?

To help you visualize each step you may be called upon to do (C) Signup and view all the answers

Who should be responsible for escorting visitors and vendors in the animal facility?

Anyone who can authorize their visit (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is one method used by facility infiltrators to secretly record photos or videos in high-risk facilities?

Using hidden cameras (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of facility is likely at greater risk of a security breach according to the text?

A facility housing nonhuman primates, dogs, or cats (B) Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if an unauthorized person requests access to the facility according to the text?

Politely inform them that you cannot let them in (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a threat to biomedical research facilities?

Security breaches by facility staff (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the best defense against groups opposing the use of animals in research?

Full compliance with regulations and guidelines (B) Signup and view all the answers

What should individuals do in the event of a security breach or disaster?

Follow the instructions of on-site security staff or law enforcement officials (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is a comprehensive background check required for potential new employees?

To prevent them from sabotaging research (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a responsibility of employees to help prevent security breaches?

Knowing the physical layout of the facility (A) Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you notice a stranger roaming the halls of the facility?

Notify the responsible official (B) Signup and view all the answers

Who should you contact in the event of a major disaster or accident in the facility?

The emergency response team (A) Signup and view all the answers

What questions should you be ready to answer when reporting an incident in the facility?

Are any animals injured or missing from their cages? (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the key elements that should be included in an animal facility's disaster plan?

The disaster plan should include evacuation routes, arrangements for animal housing, water, and feed during evacuation, the possibility of euthanizing animals that are not evacuated, and emergency contact information for key personnel and relevant departments. Signup and view all the answers

What role does facility management play in ensuring the safety of staff during an emergency?

Facility management is responsible for providing training on the disaster plan, ensuring the safety systems are in place, and conducting regular drills to measure the effectiveness of emergency systems. Signup and view all the answers

How can post-incident discussions contribute to improving the disaster plan and emergency procedures?

Post-incident discussions can help identify ways to improve the disaster plan and emergency procedures by evaluating the response to the incident and identifying areas for improvement. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for an animal facility to have safeguards in place to protect against theft and vandalism?

Having safeguards in place is important to maintain overall security and prevent unauthorized access or damage to the facility and its resources. Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the threats that research institutions face in recent years?

Some of the threats that research institutions face in recent years include global threats of bioterrorism and localized attacks against researchers and biomedical research facilities by animal rights groups. Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential consequences of security breaches in research facilities?

The potential consequences of security breaches in research facilities include undermining or destroying research studies, and may lead to the death of the research animals. Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in a security plan for a research institution?

A security plan for a research institution should describe ways to prevent and address security breaches, and should be accessible to all staff. Signup and view all the answers

What strategies can be implemented to prevent security breaches in research facilities?

Strategies to prevent security breaches in research facilities include providing basic training on standard operating procedures, ensuring compliance with facility safeguards, following instructions provided by on-site security staff or local law enforcement officials, and conducting comprehensive background checks on potential new employees. Signup and view all the answers

What are some security measures that can be used to control facility access and ensure proper identification of individuals inside the animal facility?

Some security measures that can be used to control facility access and ensure proper identification of individuals inside the animal facility include wearing visible identification badges, admitting and escorting visitors and vendors only by authorized personnel, using electronic keys and computerized systems for secure access, implementing security video cameras for monitoring, and subjecting computer access to security measures such as firewalls and password controlled log-in. Signup and view all the answers

What are some characteristics that biometric devices can use to identify individuals?

Biometric devices can use distinct characteristics such as fingerprints, voice signature, or eye structures to identify individuals. Signup and view all the answers

Why should the entry of audio and video recording devices be controlled in high-risk facilities?

The entry of audio and video recording devices should be controlled in high-risk facilities because facility infiltrators, such as animal rights activists, may use hidden cameras or cell phones to secretly record photos or videos that can be rapidly transmitted and posted on websites, creating unwanted and inaccurate publicity for the institution and potentially jeopardizing research funding support. Signup and view all the answers

What factors can determine the security risks faced by different research institutions?

The security risks faced by different research institutions can be determined by factors such as the type of research conducted (e.g., politically controversial research, nonhuman primate, dog, or cat facilities vs. rodent facilities, behavioral studies, genetic engineering, toxicology, neurobiology, or infant animal research vs. diabetes or cancer research), and the potential for security breaches or attacks. Signup and view all the answers

What should employees do if they notice a stranger roaming the halls of the facility?

Employees should recognize and report the presence of a stranger to the responsible official. Signup and view all the answers

What actions should individuals take in the event of a major disaster or accident in the facility?

Individuals should prioritize protecting human life, including their own, and then proceed to the nearest evacuation point. They should knock on doors and call out to people to exit the facility immediately if it does not put their own life at risk. Once out of danger, they should call the institution's emergency response team and provide necessary information. Signup and view all the answers

What questions should individuals be prepared to answer when reporting an incident in the facility?

When reporting an incident in the facility, individuals should be prepared to answer questions about the location of the incident, which areas are affected, whether there is a power loss, whether everyone is accounted for, whether there is damage to the facility, whether access to the facility is obstructed, and whether any animals are injured or missing from their cages. Signup and view all the answers

What actions should individuals take if they notice evidence of a break-in, power outage, or flooding in an animal room during a holiday or weekend?

Individuals should know whom to call and what actions to take. They should call the appropriate contacts and provide necessary information about the incident, such as the location, affected areas, power loss, facility damage, access obstruction, and any injured or missing animals. Signup and view all the answers

What steps can be taken to prevent security breaches in a research facility?

Some steps that can be taken to prevent security breaches in a research facility include implementing access control measures, such as key card systems or biometric authentication, conducting thorough background checks on employees, training staff on security protocols, installing surveillance cameras, and regularly reviewing and updating security procedures and policies. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for staff to participate in drills and training on disaster and security plans?

It is important for staff to participate in drills and training on disaster and security plans because it helps them assess and improve their response to real incidents. By practicing the steps they would need to take during an emergency, they can become more familiar with the procedures and ensure a quick and efficient response, which can prevent a problem from becoming more serious. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if an unauthorized person requests access to the facility?

If an unauthorized person requests access to the facility, it is important to deny them entry and report the incident to the appropriate authorities, such as a supervisor or security personnel. It is crucial to follow the facility's security protocols and not allow unauthorized individuals to enter, as they may pose a risk to the safety and security of the facility and its occupants. Signup and view all the answers