Questions of Readiness: 6 Professionals Share Their Thoughts on the Challenges Facing First Responders

• NCJ Number: 199009
• Journal: Homeland First Response Dated: January-March 2003 Pages: 22-25
• Author(s): Paul Maniscalco; Bruce Clements; Robert Delorenzo; Chris Bausch; Bryan Morgan; Matt Begert
• Date Published: January 2003
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article presents the responses of six professionals to five questions that pertain to the state of first-response readiness for a terrorist attack in America.

Abstract

The first question asked is as follows: "What is the single biggest challenge first responders face in regard to terrorism?" The second question pertains to the ways cross-agency communications can be improved; and the third question queries the professionals about what can be accomplished in the short-term and long-term to prepare first responders for terrorist attacks. The fourth question is in two parts; first, "How can we encourage community leaders to become more involved in preparedness?" and "Whose job is it to educate them on the risks their communities face?" The fifth question asks "How can community leaders inspire citizens to get involved?" Among the comments offered by the experts is the advice that the incorporation of a response to terrorism into the daily routine of first-responder operations is essential. Another terrorism expert notes that the only way to improve the terrorism response is to begin now to place agencies that traditionally seldom work together in situations where they must work together. Another professional cautions that most localities, unable to afford an upgrade in disaster preparedness, only pay "lip service" to a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan. Other comments by the terrorism experts are that change requires organizations to challenge their perceptions of their mission and responsibilities; community leaders must recognize that the survivability of their communities is a top priority; and integrated agency operations require common vocabularies for technical and tactical operations, as well as a common joint-operational objective. The common thread of the comments of the six professionals is that much remains to be done to prepare first responders for the variety of possible incidents and impacts of a terrorist attack.