NCJ Number
201756
Journal
Homeland Defense Journal Volume: 1 Issue: 5 Dated: August 2003 Pages: 20-27
Date Published
August 2003
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article describes emergency preparations necessary to effectively respond to terrorist attacks within facilities.
Abstract
The article begins by underscoring the importance of emergency preparedness in safely overcoming a terrorist attack or other type of attack, such as a bomb threat. The emphasis of the article is on preparing facility managers for emergencies that may occur in their buildings. Solid preparation involving major stakeholders, such as facility staff and emergency responders, is the most important aspect involved in lowering fatalities and injuries resulting from attacks on buildings. The article describes how to begin preparations for an emergency response plan, followed by an assessment of how to categorize various emergencies. Effective emergency preparedness plans are described as simple, inclusive, and believed. Tips on reducing or mitigating threats are offered, such as developing an emergency contact list and installing emergency power systems. The article goes on to discuss the importance of properly informing emergency responders to the situation at hand, including an assessment of hazardous materials contained in the facility and the type of threat the facility is facing. Short-term and long-term recovery are explored, including general recovery, facility recovery, and administration and logistics recovery. Embedded within the article are various textboxes which offer additional information useful to facility managers who are preparing an emergency plan. One such textbox offers an assessment of the readers’ current level of emergency preparedness, while another offers a description of different types of emergencies that may be encountered in a facility.