NCJ Number
194372
Journal
The Beacon Volume: 3 Issue: 8 Dated: May 2001 Pages: 1-5
Date Published
May 2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This newsletter focuses on the Center for National Response (CNR); conferences on tactical emergency medical support, responding to acts of terrorism, and hospital/EMS consequence management; weapons of mass destruction (WMD); and sharing knowledge among emergency first responders.
Abstract
The CNR, located in West Virginia, is uniquely suited as a multi-purpose training facility to meet a wide range of WMD Consequence Management and Counter Terrorism training requirements of local, State, Federal, and Department of Defense organizations. The CNR serves as an asset in preparing both civilian and military response teams to meet future threats and challenges. It provides a realistic environment where emergency response teams can readily practice techniques designed to mitigate the effects of a WMD incident in an underground highway, train, or subway tunnel. It also provides an extremely supportive base for training on HazMat mitigation, underground search and rescue, counterterrorist tactics, hostage rescue, and simulated agent testing. Three scenario sets are currently available: Post Blast Rubble, Subway Train/Subway Mezzanine, and an Emergency Egress Trainer. Additional sets will consist of three Chemical/Biological labs built to reflect different levels of sophistication and a Highway tunnel accident scene involving a truck carrying HazMat materials. The TEMS 2001 Fifth International Conference on Tactical Emergency Medical Support was held in June 2001 and provided information, education, products, and techniques to enhance lifesaving skills. In dealing with WMD by terrorists, crisis management designates activities conducted prior to and hopefully preventing its use, while consequence management deals with mitigating and alleviating the effects of an event. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has the overall responsibility for consequence management. The International Summit and Training Forum on Responding to Acts of Terrorism was held in July 2001 and provided training for the emergency response community. The readiness of emergency first responders must be built on a strong foundation of domestic preparedness, especially on how to manage the challenges of terrorist attacks involving WMD. The National Symposium on Hospital/EMS Consequence Management was held in September 2001, and designed to prepare hospitals to define, recognize, and respond effectively to terrorist disaster threats.