According to U.S. government officials and daily briefings made by President Bush, Operation Freedom is running as expected, with American and British troops in the heart of Iraq. But as the situation is intensifying overseas, the threat of chemical and biological attacks in the United States by terrorist groups is becoming a greater concern.

Chief Gordon Duncan of the Saratoga Fire District said that the city, which is considered to be a "bedroom community," is not a target of opportunity because it does not have facilities that contain heavy manufacturing or machinery capable of major data or power transmission. However, neighboring cities like San Jose or San Francisco that do have such power and areas known to have large groups are at a higher risk for attacks.

What Saratoga residents should be concerned with is the possibility of flooding or water contamination.

"Flooding is a strong possibility anywhere there are reservoirs," Duncan said.

Of main concern are the Lexington and Stevens Creek reservoirs. According to Duncan, if these reservoirs are hit, they may not only flood homes and cut electricity but also block transportation and major freeways such as Highway 17 and interstates 280 and 880.

According to Mike DiMarco from the Santa Clara Valley Water District, the reservoir may contain up to 1,129,590,000 gallons of water when full. Currently, the Lexington reservoir is approximately 73 percent full.

DiMarco said the district used to guard against earthquakes, but since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, it has started focusing on ways of improving its security systems to protect against terrorism.

In addition to extensive testing for over 300 contaminants such as trihalomethanes, crytosporidium and MTBE, which is used in oil and gasoline, the district has security guards working around the clock, monitoring all three water treatment plants in Los Gatos and San Jose. Authorized personnel conduct daily inspections of all key facilities as well. In addition, the district is spending approximately $200 million to upgrade all water treatment plants.

The district is offering water inspections for those interested in or concerned about their water. According to DiMarco, so far nobody has made such a request.

Sheriff's deputies at the Westside Station said that although they are not taking any specific immediate public action in response to the heightened alert, they are ready to take action should an attack occur.

"The city is not a target," said Capt. John Hirokawa. "But we're not letting our guard down."

According to Hirokawa, the department has a contingency plan in place that will put additional deputies on the streets, covering extra hours. Due to security reasons, sheriff's deputies are not able to disclose much information about their tactics, but Hirokawa said that the department "has everything well-covered."

However, he was able to say that the sheriff's deputies are "staying abreast of up-to-date information" and are involved in a joint terrorism task force set up by FBI agents and other law enforcement agencies. In addition, they have bomb detection dogs, bomb units, search and rescue units, and helicopters available.

Chief Duncan urged residents to "think outside the norm" when taking safety precautions.

"Start looking at methods of how to protect yourselves," he said.

Duncan said residents should keep a minimum of three days' worth of nonperishable food and water in case of an emergency, whether terrorist-related or naturally occurring, such as earthquakes. Residents should also prepare at least one week's worth of medication, in addition to flashlights with extra batteries, a portable radio, blankets, clothing and sanitation items, such as toilet paper and towels.

"Pack as if you were going on a camping trip," he said.

Though aerial or chemical attacks are unlikely, Duncan also suggested that residents have plastic and duct tape handy. Residents should find the most efficient way of sealing spaces where outside air can penetrate into the home, such as cracks in windows, doors and vents.

According to Duncan, airborne agents last up to 24 hours and can spread approximately 20 miles, depending upon the strength of the wind.

While he hopes residents are taking these safety precautions seriously, he said his staff of 24 firefighters is doing its part to keep residents safe. Duncan, who completed a week of training with an emphasis on terror alert, is training his staff on identifying and dealing with weapons of mass destruction, which include biological, chemical and nuclear agents. Firefighters are also frequently conducting simulated evacuation situations in which they rescue victims in various scenarios.

Duncan said that residents should keep in mind that a terrorist's goal is to "create chaos and to get people to think irrationally." He said residents should do the opposite—remain calm and stay off the roads if an event does occur.