Andrew Langstaff
Liberty University
HLSC 610 Understanding Terrorism and Homeland Security
Discussion Board 7
Professor Richards
What would be your immediate first steps involving the recovery process from a terrorist
attack?
Using the textbook and National Response Framework as a guide, the immediate steps in
the recovery process from a terrorist attack would be a damage Assessment, so that we can
understand the severity of the situation. The damage assessment would include an evaluation of
physical destruction, economic losses, loss of life, social disruption, and assets needed for
recovery purposes (McEntire, 2019). Without a damage assessment the community or nation
affected from a terrorist attack would not be able to effectively and efficiently recover. In regard
to a specific damage assessment, a rapid assessment would first be conducted so that an
understanding or “paint the picture” can be conveyed to the authorities so that immediate needs
are met. This can then lead to more detailed assessments such as a preliminary and technical
assessments, and deciding if declaring a disaster is necessary.
What are some of the key issues you might face and have to address?
Key issues that might arise are mass fatality management, debris management and
emotional issues. Mass fatality, or mass casualty means that there are more deaths or injuries that
are greater than the amount of personal that are able to treat, collect, identify, and bury. Debris
management is another issue that is often neglected but important so that recovery operations can
effectively and efficiently succeed. This includes search and rescue operations, evidence in the
crime, and preventing further casualties. Emotional issues include crisis counseling, critical
incident stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In recovery, whether it’s civilians, first
responders, or other authorities, may be emotionally affected by the attack which can hinder their
abilities from moving on, and fulfilling obligations of their job. For first responders and other
authorities still in the recovery after the attack could cause more harm then good.
What role could or should faith and faith-based organizations play?
Faith-based organizations can play a remarkable role in recovery operations after a terrorist
attack. Through coordination, this can come in forms of defusing and debriefing individuals
affected by attack and helping them cope with stress or depression. Or by volunteers and
donations collected to help support in cleaning up, rebuilding, or by providing food, water,
shelter, and clothing to those affected.
What does the Bible tell us that may help?
Psalm 107:13-16 says, “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them
from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and burst their
bonds apart. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the
children of man! For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.” In relation
to traumatic experiences such as a terrorist attack, this verse explains that from hardships,
struggles or situations that seem to just get worse and that we can’t seem to escape, there is hope
in it all. As long as we see a new day, still living, breathing, use the experience to strengthen
oneself. Be grateful! Through faith, healing and good can be found in the end.
References
McEntire, D. A. (2019). Introduction to homeland security: understanding terrorism prevention
and emergency management (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
National Response Framework (2019). (4th ed.). Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/media-
library/assets/documents/117791.
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