NCJ Number
190378
Date Published
September 2000
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This document investigates ways to improve local and State agency response to terrorist incidents involving biological weapons.
Abstract
The Biological Weapons Improved Response Program (BW IRP) was developed by the Department of Defense to identify, evaluate, and demonstrate the best practical approaches to improve response to terrorist incidents involving biological weapons. The BW IRP, led by the U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, is a multiyear, multiagency effort initiated in April 1998. The program developed an integrated approach to BW emergency response, an approach summarized in the BW Response Template. The template embodies the concepts and specific activities that a State or local community might consider in evaluating their own BW terrorist or emergency preparedness plans. The BW IRP considers that the key components of an integrated BW response system are: (1) medical surveillance; (2) medical diagnosis; (3) epidemiological investigation; (4) criminal investigation; (5) mass prophylaxis; (6) residual hazard assessment and mitigation; (7) control of affected area/population; (8) Modular Emergency Medical System care of presented casualties and worried well; (9) fatality management; (10) emergency management operations; (11) logistic and resource support; (12) continuity of infrastructure; and (13) family support services. The document concludes that an organized, effective emergency response plan to deal with a large-scale BW attack would also be applicable to any catastrophic medical emergency, and would enhance overall local, State, and national emergency preparedness. Figures, resources