During war though, most military units have the proper personal protective equipment to guard against a chemical attack. On a side note, if mixed with other agents, Chlorine has more lethal…
There are several possible types of terrorist attacks using Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), using conventional firearms and explosives, or ”other means of attack (including low-tech devices and delivery, attacks on infrastructure, and cyber terrorism)”, (FEMA, 2002, P. 9). Each type of attack or a combination of several will need its own action plan by emergency managers and emergency responders, making the identification of the type of attack and weapon used critical. If an attack occurs, one tool available to a jurisdiction is the Threat and Hazard Identification Risk Assessment (THIRA), which summarizes the “threats and hazards of concern showing how they may affect the community” (DHS, 2013, P.1). The THIRA will outline the possible risks that would be facing emergency responders after a specific disaster and what they might face (FEMA, 2002). For example, the guide describes the threat of radiation after a nuclear/radiological attack, or the threat of contamination after a chemical or biological attack.…
Building 1143 is a challenge in of itself with over 32,000 square feet of area, 25 entries and exits, 12 corridors, two auditoriums, 38 classrooms, 54 offices, large amounts of open space in four common areas, and most of the walls of the building are actual windows. A positive aspect is there are many areas, such as the classrooms, that are optimal to establish a barricade between individuals and the active shooter during lockdown procedures. Additionally, with 25 entries and exits there are plenty of options for personnel who want to escape an active shooter situation. These positive features of building 1143 are important for all individuals to know and could result in lives saved, however, the layout also presents a complex challenge to mitigate or deter an active shooter threat. Features of building 1143…
Between 2000 and 2013, an estimated 160 active shooter incidents occurred within the United States resulting in 1043 casualties, 483 of which died (DHS, 2015). No pattern or commonality exists in the selection of victims; which supports that these types of situations evolve rapidly and are very dynamic. This essay will provide a training scenario for an active shooter response. There will be a discussion of the organizational goal, adjusted procedures, and their strengths and weaknesses within the organization, with an overall emphasis on effective communication.…
The Bioethics of Bioterrorism I. Ethical Question It is universally accepted that bioterrorism, or the use of viruses and bacteria to spread disease and cause panic (“Bioterrorism”), is wrong and inhumane. However there is still a question as to whether or not research into biodefense, or the mechanisms used to battle bioterrorism (“Biodefense”), should be allowed. II. Background…
A terrorist attack could be potentially as low tech as a shoe bomb or a well thought out plan such as the hijacking of aircraft that caused the 9/11 attacks in New York. The wide spectrum of hazards for a terrorist event range from Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), explosives, and a combination of hazards (WMD with an explosion of a factory or facility with harmful chemicals). Federal and State laws have ensured that hazardous chemicals and items that are transported or produced are properly labeled and transported so as not to affect the public. In addition to labeling these hazards it is key to have First Responders and the public have a general understanding of what these labels mean and how to ensure they protect themselves from the hazards.…
As a non-governmental organization ("NGO”), our funding came from the Federation of Pharmaceutical Companies, a group of highly influential medical corporations, who wanted to distance themselves from Umbrella by condemning bioterrorism in a much more obvious way. Due to our success and the high demand for anti-B.O.W. assignments, the organization would soon be expanded greatly in numbers, with headquarters stationed around the world. One of our duties is to track down B.O.W.s and other viral weaponry developed by Umbrella that is being illegally sold on the black market to various bio-terrorists. The BSAA has advanced technology and a number of skilled people in our…
In my lifetime, international terrorism and its devastating loss of life across the world has become a norm, scenes of devastation are regularly on TV and social media. However, if you look carefully when watching those dreadful scenes, there will always be someone there to help: a nurse, a fireman, a police officer, often heading in the opposite direction of fleeing crowds. These people and their jobs inspire me to work in the public service, and especially in understanding why people commit crimes, and how to prevent them. Recently I have been reading a book called Soldier Spy, Tom Marcus was recruited by MI5 after the 7/7 tube bombings in London to conduct an undercover mission.…
Measures In an increasingly global world the domestic terrorism of the past has shifted dramatically towards international terrorism. Events like 9/11, San Bernadino, Orlando, Fort Hood, and others have been engrained in the minds of the American people. Emergency Managers reduce the vulnerability to hazards and respond to disasters that are increasingly becoming more interconnected and interdependent (Lynch, 2016). Emergency Manager’s must focus on systemic changes designed to detect, deter, and respond to terrorism.…
Discuss and list the relative merits and disadvantages of law enforcement’s shifting priorities and focus after the 9/11 attacks. The terrorist attack on September 11 gave a wake-up call to America regarding threats. It also created numerous challenges for the government and law enforcement that proved greater than any natural disaster from previous years. In the aftermath, several agencies shifted resources, developed counter-terrorism capabilities, increased spending to improve security, and worked to improve readiness. It generated and changed responsibilities throughout all law enforcement agencies.…
Chemical and biological warfare: A comprehensive survey for the concerned citizen. New York: Copernicus. Ganesan, K., Raza, S. K., & Vijayaraghavan, R. (2010). Chemical warfare agents. Classification of CW Agents, 1.…
1972 Munich Olympics Law enforcement professionals should be ready to learn from their mistakes. The 1972 Munich Olympics became one of the greatest human tragedies in the history of counter terrorism. The paper reviews the principal aspects of the security response to the Munich massacre in 1972. Some of the issues considered include Germany's response to the incident, pre-attack warnings, the level of security preparedness during the Olympics, as well as the role of fusion centers in counter-terrorist operations. The lessons learned from the 1972 Munich Olympics provide effective guidance for the development of comprehensive security and counter-terrorism strategies in the future.…
Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure The events of September 11, 2001, highlighted significant gaps in the country’s emergency preparedness and more specifically, its ability to identify threats and protect against terrorist attacks. The resulting analyses of the incident and the response efforts stressed the need for an overarching program that would coordinate the efforts of a multitude of government agencies with competing goals and requirements. A program that would improve the transfer of critical intelligence and maximize response efforts.…
As frustrations continued to rise, tensions started to build in the American team. What started as a conflict between upper-level management and the two teams has resulted in conflict within each individual team. In response to the mounting frustrations, lack of communication, and high tension, Lance Paulson, the Drug Safety Director and highest ranking official in this operation, sent an email to the entire staff addressing the conflict present (Dominick, 2008). This may have been the breaking point, as people that didn’t know what was happening were now…
From a public health perspective, this film revealed how quickly a highly contagious virus could spread, the danger of bioterrorism and the importance of public health. The debatable aspects was how quickly the military resolved to using operation clean sweep their reluctance to help in tracing or looking for the…