NCJ Number
191569
Date Published
1999
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This chapter discusses ways in which the Defense Department can assist the United States to prepare for and respond to attacks involving weapons of mass destruction.
Abstract
In a new era in which weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are available to sub-national actors, the Department of Defense (DOD) may need to reexamine its priorities to reemphasize homeland defense. Although the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the lead agency in response to terrorism, DOD can provide additional services to defeat terrorism involving WMD. The instability of the world combined with the demand for faster Federal response requires that DOD play a larger role in providing Federal response assistance, and the Department has taken steps to reorient its former objectives, such as supporting Federal preparedness. The Stafford Act authorizes the Federal Government to respond to disasters and provide services so that lives and public health are protected. Out of the act, a Federal Response Plan was created to address the consequences of a disaster. Under the plan, DOD is responsible for locating, extricating, and providing medical treatment to victims in collapsed structures. The Department also assists the Federal Emergency Management Agency in consequence management, which strives to get services back into operating order. DOD has three goals in domestic preparedness: highlight the need for certain civilian capabilities, decrease the need and cost of an unplanned military response, and make civilian-military cooperation more effective. The National Guard assists State and local authorities before Federal agencies are authorized to respond. DOD has several response teams that deal with biological or chemical weapons. The Army's Chemical and Biological Defense Command serves as the main arm for research, remediation, and chemical operations in the Department. It develops shields and foams that neutralize explosive devices. It dismantles and disarms biological and chemical weapons. The U.S. Army Chemical School is a joint nuclear, biological and chemical training center for the services. It educates personnel in decontamination, reconnaissance, and protection. The Army's Technical Escort Unit provides worldwide escort, disposal, and neutralization response for toxic chemicals and hazardous materials. The U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command is responsible for planning and constructing medical facilities and conducts medical research. The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases develops strategies for defense of and responds to biological weapons attacks and naturally occurring infectious diseases. Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is the largest laboratory within the medical command and is the lead agency for infectious disease research. The U.S. Navy Medical Research Institute provides basic and applied research in infectious diseases. The U.S. Marine Corps Chemical/Biological Incident Response Force is a consequence management response force that responds to chemical and biological incidents. Under the National Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997, DOD was authorized $51 million to help States in their domestic preparedness programs. In carrying out the act, the Department carried out a "train the trainer" program for response agencies in larger metropolitan areas. Notes