Terrorism Response Strategy - Essay Example

 Terrorism response is not a static response, like every other crime response. Crime always changes; as a result response must also change. It always changes according to the type of situation and there is no correct way to handle a situation. It also depends on the country, training of personnel, etc. However, guidelines for terrorism response exist. The first steps for a successful operation is always the preparatory steps. Here one deliver the situation to his/her teams. The leader delivers the aim and the goals of their next missions while using his/her leadership skills to give courage and hope to the team. The second preparatory step can be conducted or at the base or on the vehicle when going the bomb site, i.e. taking idea of the geographic surroundings of the bomb site on a map. This affects the exertion of the squad. The squad has always to work in favor of the wind. When the preparatory actions are completed, the squad is ready for action. Since the toxins are unknown, the squad must wear the proper protection, i.e. PPE (personal protective equipment) lv.1 or A. This is the maximum level of protection. PPE can be used for site surveys, for emergency rescue, hazardous mitigation, and decontamination and for monitoring or supervising situations. There various levels of PPE depending on the situation. Level A PPE consists of vapor protective suit with pressure demand, full-face mask, inner chemical-resistant gloves and chemical resistant safety boots. This provides the best protection for eyes, skin and lungs from solid, liquid and gaseous material. Since there are bio-toxins involved, one has to add oxygen tanks to the suit, to avoid inhale outer air. Here now begins the scouting in the bomb site. The first objective of the scouting is not to find injured persons or forensic evidence, but to find a secondary exit point. This is very important if there is secondary explosion, or another disaster like a building falling, etc. Sampling is a very important step to determine what type of toxins if present. The step is to determine is the air is free from chemicals, by taking preliminary tests. The protocol is fast and easy to perform. A sample is first collected on two chemically treated swabs provided with the kit then each swab is immersed in a solution that produces a color change within five minutes only if the agent being tested for is present. Then one has a sheet to compare the results and see what type of toxins is present in the air. Simple triage identifies which persons need advanced medical care. In the field, triage also sets priorities for evacuation to hospitals. Deceased are left where they fell, covered if necessary; note that in S.T.A.R.T. a person is not triaged "deceased" unless they are not breathing and an effort to reposition their airway has been unsuccessful. Immediate or Priority 1 (red) evacuation by MEDEVAC if available or ambulance as they need advanced medical care at once or within 1 hour. These people are in critical condition and would die without immediate assistance. Delayed or Priority 2 (yellow) can have their medical evacuation delayed until all immediate persons have been transported. These people are in stable condition but require medical assistance. Minor or Priority 3 (green) are not evacuated until all immediate and delayed persons have been evacuated. Continue to re-triage in case their condition worsens. A popular Triage Tag is the Smart Tag with its unique folded design means that effective triage is quick and simple, but most importantly it allows casualties to be re-triaged without having to replace the tag. Here one can instruct green tagged person to help in the operation or help other persons are injured. After several radio communications, etc, the decontamination zone will be completed. Basic decontamination procedures are described below. These steps may be utilized for most oil spill incidents. Basic decontamination steps and procedures include the following: 􀂉 Establish and clearly identify the Decontamination Corridor. The best location for a decon station would be uphill from the hot zone, and upwind so that airborne contaminants blow back toward the hot zone. If the wind changes, the decon station may have to be relocated. 􀂉 Close proximity to vital services (running water, electricity) is extremely beneficial for decontamination operations. 􀂉 The Decontamination Zone should be accessible to emergency medical units. 􀂉 Cover the entire Decontamination Corridor with plastic sheeting or tarps. Sorbents rolls should be used to line the decontamination corridor to reduce slippage. 􀂉 Clearly identify the Decontamination Corridor using barrier tape, delineator posts and traffic cones. Place the delineator posts and traffic cones on the top of the plastic sheeting or tarps, and then attach barrier tape to these units to clearly mark the decontamination Corridor. 􀂉 Establish and clearly identify the point of entry from the Hot Zone into the Warm Zone and the exit corridor into the Cold zone. 􀂉 Clearly identify, using barrier tape, delineator posts and traffic cones a clean (uphill) side and a dirty (downhill) side of the Decontamination Corridor. The clean side should be used to pass uncontaminated supplies and equipment into the Warm Zone, while the dirty side contains all of the contaminated equipment and supplies used or removed during decontaminationoperations. Security and control is the last issue that is with concern the first responder team since when the team is ready from triage, etc, other teams will take control of security and control of the area. Meanwhile the first responder team can continue to help the injured persons and/or collect forensic evidence before they disintegrate. As one can see terrorism response can be a very complicated operation. Here the topic was just skimmed through, one can find various S.O.P.’s (Standard Operating Procedures) on how to conduct terrorism operations but every situation is on its own, one has to adapt to it. Reference: http://www.tsgassociates.co.uk/English/Civilian/products/smart_tag.htm (last accessed 20/10/07) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Deconference-pipeline123MW-idraw.png (last accessed 21/10/07) National Institute of Justice (2002): Guide for the Selection of Personal Protective Equipment for Emergency First Responders National Institute of Justice (2002): Guide for the Selection of Personal Protective Equipment for Emergency First Responders (Percutaneous Protection—Apparel) National Institute of Justice (2002): Guide for the Selection of Personal Protective Equipment for Emergency First Responders (Percutaneous Protection—Garments) Read More