Preparing for WMD Events in San Jose

• NCJ Number: 189830
• Journal: The Beacon Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: January 2001 Pages: 1-4
• Author(s): Frances E. Winslow Ph.D.
• Date Published: January 2001
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: News/Media
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Because of several threat elements, San Jose, California was selected as one of the first cities in the Domestic Preparedness program.

Abstract

San Jose is the eleventh largest city in the United States and the number one dollar value exporter. Other threat elements include a heterogeneous population, with many groups having their roots in other countries with civil unrest and political strife. Because San Jose is heavily invested in high tech and biotechnology commerce, materials for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) activities are readily available locally. Toxic gases and industrial hazardous materials are used throughout the industrial areas of the Silicon Valley. The Domestic Preparedness program required the creation of a response plan specific to a WMD event. A committee that represented all the professions needed to create and staff the Metropolitan Medical Task Force (MMTF) was assembled. The committee’s first task was to write a mission statement and concept of operations for the task force. A list of pharmaceuticals, equipment, and supplies, was developed and acquired, and a plan was developed for their custody and deployment. The MMTF Committee developed a plan based on the Incident Command System and the Standardized Emergency Management System. Following weeklong training classes, the committee selected the suite of supplies and equipment needed to augment existing materials for response to an event. The response plan development effort was assisted by the development of two user groups: the MMTF Cities Group, which includes State health and emergency medical services, National Guard, and Army Reserve members; and the Bay Area Terrorism Working Group, representing fire, law, and emergency services. The major problems encountered in plan development were related to implementation, such as training time that was very expensive and maintaining the interest of City Council members.