Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
attack as soon as first responders recognize the occurrence of symptoms that are highly
unusual or of an unknown cause. Consequently, state and local emergency responders
must be able to assess the situation and request assistance as quickly as possible.
Emergency Operations Plan: Assumptions
Although situations may vary, planning assumptions remain the same.
◾
The first responder or health or medical personnel will, in most cases, initially
detect and evaluate the potential or actual incident, assess casualties, and
determine whether assistance is required. If so, state support will be requested
and provided. This assessment will be based on warning or notification of
a WMD incident that may be received from law enforcement, emergency
response agencies, or the public.
◾
The incident may require federal support. To ensure that there is only one
overall lead federal agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) is authorized to support the Department of Justice (DOJ). In addi-
tion, FEMA is designated as the lead agency for consequence management
within the United States and its territories. FEMA retains authority and
responsibility to act as the lead agency for consequence management through-
out the federal response. In this capacity, FEMA will coordinate federal assis-
tance requested through state authorities using normal FRP mechanisms.
◾
Federal response will include experts in the identification, containment, and
recovery of WMD (chemical, biological, nuclear/radiological, or explosive).
◾
Jurisdictional areas of responsibility and working perimeters defined by local,
state, and federal departments and agencies may overlap. Perimeters may be
used to control access to the affected area, target public information mes-
sages, assign operational sectors among responding organizations, and assess
potential effects on the population and the environment. Control of these
perimeters may be enforced by different authorities, which will impede the
overall response if adequate coordination is not established.
◾
Response activities may continue for an extended period of day or weeks.
Early emergency responders may be pushed beyond their capabilities, and
regional and federal resources may be needed. The incident will be covered
extensively by the media. There may be many volunteer responders and dona-
tions of food and material that will require management.
Emergency Operations Plan: Concept of Operations
Your terrorism annex should include a concept of operations section to explain the
jurisdiction's overall concept for responding to a WMD incident. Topics should
