A EmergencyNet Special Report
By Paul Anderson, ERRI Correspondent
CHICAGO -- On May 22, 1995, ERRI first asked the question that may be even more pertinent today than it was when it was first asked...Chemical Attack, Are We Prepared? The article was written in the wake of a major chemical attack in a subway system in Tokyo, Japan.
Now, almost nine years later, the time has come for a reevaluation of this still very relevant question. This time the question is brought up in the wake of an alleged plot in Jordan to use 20 tons of chemicals and explosives to attack the very heart of one of America’s prime allies in the Middle-East.
For those who have been studying, analyzing, and reporting on these issues for the entire period between the Tokyo attack and now -- the question remains essentially the same -- one would hope, however, that the answer to this query would have changed.
Most Americans would surely hope that the millions and billions of dollars spent on training, equipment, and research would have accomplished the goal of preparing the United States for a major attack by terrorists using what are now called “Weapons of Mass Destruction.” But, long time veterans in the “first responder” field still question whether or not we are really ready to respond to and successfully mitigate an attack of the type being described in Jordan...as this threat draws closer.
Sure, we have the new Deptartment of Homeland Security and the organizational charts in Washington have been rearranged, but very basic questions still remain about whether or not the men and women in the town where you live are actually ready to manage a multiple-casualty incident involving chemical, biological, nuclear, or radiological materials.
As ERRI CEO Clark Staten has said on many occasions, “Every disaster is a local one...until the first responders decide otherwise.” In other words, every incident happens in some town, village or city...a place where your local emergency responders will be “holding the bag” of responsibility until other resources can be mobilized elsewhere to come and help...and then, only after the local jurisdiction has made a decision that the situation exceeds their ability to respond to it and has asked for help (mutual aid).
Please know that regardless of what takes place inside the beltway (DC), it is the men and women of your local Fire, Police, EMS and medical agencies who must first respond to and and attempt to manage any kind of an terrorist attack...including those involving potentially toxic materials. And, the truth is...all of the resources, knowledge, and management skills coming from Washington (or elsewhere in the country), will not be there during the first critical hours of an attack. People will certainly live or die, based on the training, equipment and experience of those who work in your town...not in Washington.
Which brings us back to the important question that began this discussion...and one every citizen must ask their elected and appointed officials...where you live...Are We Prepared?
Source: http://www.emergency.com/ennday.htm
Reference:
http://www.emergency.com/chemattk.htm
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