NCJ Number
224841
Date Published
2007
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses the concept of “terrorism emergency management” as a new form of public-sector management.
Abstract
Over the years, societies have created various emergency management systems in order to deal with various types of disasters. In the past, the emergency management field has only addressed natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, and floods; however, a new and persistent type of disaster has reached global dimensions. Globalization and associated interactions of diverse cultures/ethnicities, along with technological advances in communications and weaponry have spawned clashes of religious and cultural values that have erupted into persistent patterns of violence on a global scale. Terrorism is a serious threat to life and property on a scale that can match the destruction of natural disasters. Terrorism has become a priority issue for emergency management systems in most countries. This paper advocates that terrorist disasters become part of the emergency management field worldwide. Effective preparedness and response to terrorist events require cooperation and coordination among multiple organizations with the personnel, equipment, and expertise needed to address the tactics and weaponry that may be used by terrorists now and in the future. The creation of terrorism emergency management systems will enable more focused and effective planning, training, and multipronged service delivery than would be possible by including terrorist attacks under current systems designed primarily for natural disasters. The effective and efficient development of terrorism emergency management systems worldwide requires further research in this field as well as international cooperation. 16 references