I now have an understandin of how triggered effects work in conjunction with a Reponse or Phase action on a card.

There are other similar cards – i.e. the plot car Burning Bridges

Players cannot trigger abilities on character, location, and attachment cards in play. what does it mean by abilities as opposed to effects or this one and the same ?

thanks

My understanding is that a "triggered ability" is simply a triggered effect on a card that is already in play.