Abstract
The intent of terrorist organizations is to create a catastrophic disaster that causes destruction to
innocent lives and destroy property. In order to take proactive measure government in all levels
must stress effective core competencies to be able to respond to a terrorist attack and minimize or
eliminate terrorist intent.
I. Introduction
With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) came the transformation of
government responsibilities. One of those distinctions is the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA). Emergency management under the FEMA umbrella was conceptualized under the Jimmy Carter
Administration as an individual organization and re-organized under the Homeland Security Act of 2002
to promote better coordination of emergency management such as terrorist attacks. The sole prupse of
The goal of a federal department such as DHS is to promote the core capabilities published in the
National Preparedness Goal, which is the United States’ approach to preparing for threats and hazards
that pose a threat to homeland security. The Department of Homeland Security (2011) outlines these
core capabilities as prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery. These core competencies
serve as a guiding aid for the continual assessments and identification of gaps in capability targets.
II. Mitigation
Understating the potential and catastrophic impact a terrorist attack can have on a nation, homeland
security is tasked with identified mitigatory capabilities to prevent or at minimum reduce the loss of
life and property during a terror attack. Despite a proactive approach to mitigation on the federal
level the protection and resilience of a nation is the responsibility of a shared approach consisting of
all levels of governments, communities and private enterprises. This approach, as discussed by the
Department Homeland Security in its National Preparedness Goal (2011), is to create cohesive
relationships promoting community planning and action, public health mitigation thus potentially
creating risk reduction by enhancing the ability to understand, communicate and plan during
terrorist disaster that threaten homeland security.
a. Mitigation Strategy – Structural
Under DHS, the Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) has the main focus on
national catastrophes such as terroristic assaults on home soil. As stated in Reference Manual to
Mitigate Potential Terrorist Attacks Against Buildings by Chipley (2003), the comprehensive approach to
EP&R is to protect both the citizen and critical infrastructure in order to mitigate and reduce physical
damage to building and related infrastructure. The reference manual is
Structural mitigation strategies in response to terrorism similar to any preventative response involves
structural assessment both from an infrastructure standpoint, asset value and the amount of
vulnerability and risk posed by the structural component. As Chipley (2003) concludes that both
terrorism and physical attacks on structures have increased in the decades. The mere geographical
positioning of the United States is not a blanket protection or barrier against attack. Consider the 1993
World Trade Center Bombing or the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001 in New York City and the
Pentagon in Washington D.C. The implementation of problem-oriented assessments will be to identify
and quantify hazards that exit. The premise behind an assessment is to reduce risk by denying a terrorist
threat during the execution of an attack in addition to mitigating the amount of damage produced by a
potential attack. These mitigatory assessments will prove valuable for building design configurations,
such as blast protection windows, walls and reduction impact framework. Moreover, the preventive
steps of effective dire protection systems, back-up communication and electrical systems can prove to be
invaluable in an attack.
b. Mitigations Strategy – Non-Structural
In contrast to structural mitigation strategy that requires the use of an objectively engineered structure,
non-structural mitigation is uniquely essential by promoting the reduction of risk during a terrorist attack
by promoting the modification of human action and behavior. Non-structural measures for mitigation are
promoted by implementing community awareness, educational teaching and programs and human
actions. Some of the actions can be the incorporation of zoning and structural regulations and the
creation of hazardous identifiers such as maps and diagrams.
III. Prevention
Considering the fluid dynamic an importance of any emergency management steps. Any phase of
emergency management is as critical as the next. Prevention is a key mitigating capability of a sometimes
complex and unsuspecting terrorist attack on a community. As stated by the Department of Homeland
Security (2011), prevention is a critical component in the national strategy to avoid, deter and thwart
acts of terrorism. Some of these significant core capabilities involve:
a. Planning
i. Planning prepares for the future or at least in this case prepare for potential
threats and impact an attack can have. Planning promotes the shared purpose of
goals towards critical objectives, includes a projected time management scale
and measures resources needed towards prevention
b. Public Information Warning System
i. The planned preventative step that creates critical measure to establish a
warning system is critical in relay of information. This is highlighted by the
Department of Homeland Security (2011) as the ability to provide public
information on how to identify terrorism information and disseminate
information to the proper law enforcement agencies. By including the public, it
promotes a force multiplier scope towards preventative measures against
terrorism.
IV. Preparedness
a. Preparedness - First responder
As discussed in Ray (2006), preparedness in the any government level is difficult as terrorist deploy
attacks for a variety of purposes, such as destabilizing nations, political targets destruction, or ideological
aim. These attacks undoubtably have a psychological effect on a community as it instills fear and panic
among the masses. After the events of September 11, 2001, state and local first responders undertook a
critical role in emergency preparedness during a terrorist attack. By some measure the important role of
a first responder was identified by the lack of training and the communication gap in incident command
during the September 11, 2001 attacks. One would have to conclude that first responders serve as
expert matters to their prospective jurisdictions and can be used a vital asset in preparing for an attack,
especially since they – the first responders, will be the first to arrive. “If lives are going to be saved from
an act of terrorism, it will be the actions of organizations that can respond within minutes, not hours or
days” (Burke, 2017, p.859). This very real notion needs to be highlighted in preparedness as the potential
hazard for first responders is much greater than others and the ability render aid should be a priority for
casualties and victims. In greater context, first responders’ responsibilities play a critical role in homeland
security and preparedness by implementing relevant training that will promote a greater chance of
saving lives and a responder’s self-protection. Moreover, first responders, as stated previously, are
intelligence assets in the community they serve, and can be beneficial in their keen ability to be vigilant
and identify hazards.
b. Preparedness Federal
The integration of federal assets towards emergency management is a beneficial force multiplier when
implemented in conjunction to the response of a local emergency. The federal government is prepared
to provide a substantial amount of diverse assistance to localities that have been impacted by disaster.
Considering the fast approach of first responders there is a potentially stark contrast to federal response,
when requested, depending on the incident location. Considering terrorist attacks can cause very
different amounts of damage they undoubtably will strain resources. Mutual air preparedness between
local, state and federal government is essential to during the management of activities. An important
element of planning as discussed by Goldfrank and Manning (2011) is recognizing the assistance in the
federal level by providing the availability of federal grants, training, resources and aid in support of the
preparation for a disaster.
V. Response
The response phase during a terrorist attack involve a multi-dimensional approach by responders to
save lives, protect property and provide human needs and necessities after an incident. More
important, the response for a terrorist attack will require direction of resources and control of
primary objectives. “As with any hazard-specific emergency, the organization for management of
local response will probably need to be tailored to address the special issues involved in managing
the consequences of a terrorist incident” (FEMA, 2002, p.31). The establishment of an emergency
operations center will serve as a venue to coordinate response during a response and act as a liaison
center to coordinate federal and local response. During the response continuity of operations is
essential to progress towards the recovery phase. Important components towards a response is the
installment of mass care locations. (2002) highlights the importance of mass care by setting up a
location, decontamination stations and mobile triage areas.
VI. Recovery
Following a terrorist attack against homeland security the recovery process is implemented in order to
commence restoration efforts while other operations are still occurring. As discussed by Bullock, Haddow
and Coppola (2007), there is a hypothetical debate as to when the recovery function begins and
response ends. This debate seems unfruitful considering both can work in harmony of each other with
the overall goal of restoration of services and return to normalcy. Considering a terrorist threat has a
significant impact on the national level there is a complex set of decisions that must be made on federal,
state and local levels. Not only will there be a framework to rebuilding homes, business and restoration
of services but there will be a criminal investigation undoubtably by federal entities. Bullock et. al. (2007)
discuss the long-lasting effects that government, businesses, leadership and individuals can have in how
the recovery progress will progress. Collaboration of all levels in all levels of resources have a resilient
impact on how a community rebuilds.
Biblical Reference
Preparedness is a principle found in the Word of God. Whether a community member, a stakeholder or
government entity we should learn from Biblical principles and not wait until the last minute to prepare
for a disaster that could potentially compromise homeland security. As Christians, we should prepare as
the bible instructs us to take precautions for the dangers that are ahead. More importantly,
preparedness for emergency management involves the faith to believe and pray that God will provide us
the knowledge and will to persevere through a catastrophic event while maintain a belief that God will
always bring order to what appears to be chaos.
References:
Burke, R. A. (2017). Counter-terrorism for emergency responders, third edition (Third ed.). Boca
Raton, FL: CRC Press
Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., & Coppola, D. P. (2017). Introduction to emergency management.
Butterworth-Heinemann.
Chipley, M. (2003). Reference Manual to Mitigate Potential Terrorist Attacks Against Buildings: Providing
Protection to People and Building. Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Department of Homeland Security. (2011). National preparedness goal.
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2002). Interim Planning Guide for State and Local
Governments. Managing the Emergency Consequences of Terrorist Incidents.
Goldfrank, L., & Manning, F. J. (2002). Preparing for Terrorism: Tools for Evaluating the Metropolitan
Medical Response System Program. National Academies Press.
Ray, P. (2006). Disaster preparedness against accidents or terrorist attack
(chemical/biological/radiological). New Age International.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
