Emergency Preparedness and Response - Essay Example

"Emergency Preparedness and Response" is a worthy example of a paper on social and family issues. For any country, it is the responsibility of the government to make themselves prepared and ready to respond to any critical situation or emergency situation. The governments must make themselves prepared for all sorts of possible terrorist attacks and other disease breakouts. Bioterrorism is a terminology used for terrorist attacks involving some biological agents and is responsible for causing diseases and spreading toxic gases and infections. It is usually used as a strategy in warfare to provide harm to the enemy. It involves the release of some dangerous toxins, microorganisms, viruses, or harmful bacteria with wicked intentions to provide harm. It serves as a weapon in wars. Bioterrorism of different categories has been used in many wars in the past years. Bioterrorism has been reduced to much extent in the present warfare systems but still, it exists. There are different categories of bioterrorism (Trust for America's Health, 2003).

Water is the most vulnerable source for bioterrorism activities. Toxic gases and chemicals can be mixed into the water reservoirs and the entire water reservoirs can easily be contaminated. It is the responsibility of the government and the state to carry out regular water sample check in order to ensure safe water for drinking and usage. A bioterrorism Act has been passed by the government which constitutes that regular water check must be carried out, the tests conducted must be concluded into a report with a proper analysis including results from previous tests and then must be forwarded for further authentication and then the water body is declared safe for use and this entire process must be carried out over a regular time interval. The state has set up organizations and bodies which have been made responsible to look over this entire process. Even then if any mishap occurs then the bodies are held responsible and immediate actions need to be taken by these bodies (Biosecurity and bioterrorism: biodefense strategy, practice, and science, 2003). The quickest response is that the water supply is cut off to the people so that the contaminated water will not be used by the people.

Moreover, the schools and community centers of the locality must have regular seminars and discussions on the topic of possible precautionary measures that can be taken to prevent any such water safety catastrophe. The people must be given regular awareness on this issue as water safety is an extremely important issue and any carelessness can lead to severe conditions and even to death (Biosecurity and bioterrorism: biodefense strategy, practice, and science, 2003). In case when such a catastrophe breaks the supply is cut off and immediate notice to the people must be issued to stop water use and make use of other water sources in order to prevent from any sort of mishap. For satisfying the people the governmental bodies must have some alternate water resources in order to supply it to the people when the contaminated water supply is blocked. The government must immediately set up an investigation team to find the body behind this terrorist attack and take some serious and legal actions against the. The government must always remain prepared to handle any such situation (Trust for America's Health, 2003).