NCJ Number
192373
Date Published
2001
Length
129 pages
Annotation
This document provides basic recommendations and guidelines for enhancing response and management of a chemical incident.
Abstract
The ability of an agency to respond to and effectively manage a chemical weapon of mass destruction (WMD) incident begins with the development of departmental plans, procedures, and training. Preparation should begin with modifying existing plans and procedures to consider and include WMD-specific operations. A chemical terrorist incident is different from a routine Hazardous Materials incident in that the terrorist incident is deliberate in nature, a criminal act, designed to produce a large number of casualties, expected to result in a large number of fatalities, and will require mass numbers of people to be decontaminated. The ability of a jurisdiction to contain and control the extent of damage done by a chemical terrorist event will be decided within the first hour of the incident. Effective communications is the number one priority needed for the successful command and control of any incident. Once the immediate response and lifesaving procedures are in place, a jurisdiction needs to focus on the coordinated response to manage the incident. A chemical WMD incident will result in an overwhelming amount of local, State, and Federal resources responding to the scene. Completion of the response to and recovery from a chemical incident will be an extensive and drawn out effort. The integration of Federal assets may be necessary to mitigate long-term medical care of casualties, financial and social recovery, and the ongoing criminal investigation before eventual return to local control is possible. Bibliography, annex