NCJ Number
201251
Date Published
2001
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This paper explains how risk-management principles can be applied to protect a major event from explosives and related hazards, with the Sydney Olympics and Paralympics (Australia) used as an example.
Abstract
The Australian and New Zealand Risk Management Standard was used to underpin the security of the Olympic Games. The use of this methodology, along with its benefits and some of the concerns, are discussed in this paper. The methodology provides a structure against which disparate risks can be assessed and presented by using a common framework and terminology. The aim should be to provide the event managers and operational commanders with accurate assessments and options in a rated system that enable them to assign priorities and resources. The security planning team for the event should include those with expertise in the risk-management aspects of bomb security. A comprehensive operating environment for the event and the types of explosive risks that may be faced must be combined if a complete and relevant bomb security process is to be developed. The risk-management methodology recommended in the Australian/New Zealand Standard 4360/1999 requires reviewing the setting within which the event is to be held, rating the likelihood and consequences of each identified risk, and assigning each risk a relative risk rating. The latter is the key to the risk-management system, since it enables the operational commanders and event managers to allocate priorities and resources. The recommended risk-management methodology also involves identifying, detailing, and proposing measures to reduce the likelihood and/or consequences of a bombing incident. Further, these measures should be monitored to ensure they are reducing the risks as planned; the event's environment should also be monitored to identify any risks that may have changed.