NCJ Number
194378
Journal
The Beacon Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: November 2000 Pages: 1-8
Date Published
November 2000
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This newsletter presents a report on command and control issues at a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incident, public and private WMD planning, a chat with the Chief of the Product Development Division of the old Biological Warfare Program, and medical response to chemical warfare and terrorism.
Abstract
Command and control of a terrorist threat or incident is a critical emergency management function. Emergency response organizations at all levels may manage command and control activities differently. Management of Federal, State, and local response actions must reflect flexibility to address the entire spectrum of capabilities and resources. The challenge is to integrate the different types of management systems used by all levels of government into a comprehensive and unified response. Participants and instructors of a two-week executive level course concluded that existing Federal and State critical incident management systems each had specific purposes and could seamlessly interface at a working incident site. The Municipal Security Team of Sterling Heights (Michigan) was formed to meet for administrative planning and response to any threat of the city’s critical infrastructures that would include a terrorist act. A task force of members of public disciplines and the private sector was formed to develop a close bond for response and mitigating incidents before they happened. This partnership has developed into a proven relationship for all involved. The Chief of the Product Development Division of the old Biological Warfare Program believes that state supported terrorists developing a dry powder, such as anthrax, tularemia, or smallpox, and entering the country under the auspices of the United Nations poses the greatest bioterrorism threat to the United States. The private health community needs to be educated concerning the general principles of biowarfare. He believes that in the appropriate hands a bioweapon is feasible. Airport security is lax in knowing what biowarfare agents look like and therefore staff needs to be educated. The second annual satellite broadcast on the Medical Response to Chemical Warfare and Terrorism 2000 informed and educated health care professionals and first responders who serve in the military.