Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
with agencies and organizations to provide specialized resources and capabilities for
response to WMD incidents.
Federal Emergency Responders
Upon determination of a credible terrorist threat, or if such an incident actually
occurs, the federal government may respond through the appropriate departments
and agencies. These departments and agencies may include FEMA, the DOJ and
FBI, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the HHS, the EPA,
the Department of Agriculture, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and
possible the American Red Cross and Department of Veteran Affairs.
Administration and Logistics
There are many factors that make consequence management response to a terrorist
incident unique. Unlike some natural disasters, the administration and logistics for
response to a terrorist incident require special considerations. For example, there
may be little or no warning and because the release of a WMD may not be imme-
diately apparent, caregivers, emergency response personnel, and first responders
are in imminent danger of becoming casualties before the actual identification of
the crime can be made. Incidents could quickly escalate quickly from one scene to
multiple locations and jurisdictions.
The types of supplies needed to respond to a terrorist incident may differ from
those needed for a natural disaster or other type of technological emergency. For
example, the responders to the September 11 attacks incident needed hats, steel-
toed shoes, respirators that were appropriate for the hazards, and other PPE. These
were not stockpiled and had to be purchased.
Your planning should address administrative protocols to ensure that proper
purchasing procedures are followed and that duplicate purchases are avoided.
On September 11, and the days that immediately followed, commercial air-
lines were not allowed to operate. The shutdown delayed the arrival of supplies
and federal responders from distant locations. To avoid the inefficiencies of ad hoc
purchasing of supplies and of delays in the arrival of supplies related to air traffic
curtailments, you need to consider regional warehousing of supplies and equipment
for emergency responders, including equipment for use of US&R task forces.
One of the key logistical problems in the initial stages of emergency response to
a terrorist incident is the establishment of an Incident Command Post from which
direction of response activities can be made.
In “routine” emergency, such as fire, small hazardous materials releases, or
police actions, the Incident Command Post is established at a point that is close
enough to observe the incident, but far enough away to maintain an overview per-
spective and a safe distance from the immediate hazards.
