Terrorism Incident Management: Strategies and Tactics (From Domestic Terrorism and Incident Management: Issues and Tactics, P 242-272, 2001, Miki Vohryzek-Bolden, Gayle Olson-Raymer, et al., -- See NCJ-193133)

• NCJ Number: 193142
• Author(s): Miki Vohryzek-Bolden; Gayle Olson-Raymer; Jeffrey O. Whamond
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 31 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Research Paper
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter illustrates the chief objectives of U.S. anti-terrorist policy, explains the components that make up the Government’s response to terrorism, and describes specific terrorist incident management strategies.

Abstract

The primary objectives of the U.S. anti-terrorism plan are to intercept the terrorists before they can carry out their plan and to aggressively prosecute in Federal courts those who succeed in a terrorist act. This involves a partnership between Federal, State, local, and private sector partnerships to protect the American infrastructure; and criminal intelligence gathering that seeks to arrest terrorists for any crimes they may commit in preparing a terrorist assault. In reference to the policies of the U.S. Government to combat terrorism, three policies are especially significant: Presidential Decision Directive (PDD) 39, which designates the FBI as the lead agency for fighting terrorism; PDD-62, which creates a systematic approach to terrorism prevention; and PDD-63, which establishes the six elements of U.S. anti-terrorism policy. The Federal response to terrorism is divided into two components: crisis management led by the Department of Defense through the FBI; and consequence management coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Because the FBI’s resources to defeat terrorism are limited, the FBI has implemented a way of assessing terrorist threats. The threat assessment has three parts: does the organization or individual have the behavioral resolve to carry out a threatened attack? Is the operation probable? And is it technically feasible? To deal effectively with both traditional terrorist attacks as well as attacks using weapons of mass destruction (WMD), government and local officials attend an extensive training program developed under the Domestic Preparedness Program (DPP). Under FEMA’s coordination and support, State, and local governments protect public health and safety and restore essential government services. FEMA also provides for emergency relief to governments, businesses, and individuals influenced by the consequences of an act of terrorism. References, list of abbreviations