Preparedness And Response To Biological And Chemical Terrorism - Research Paper Example

Preparedness And Response To Biological And Chemical Terrorism Abstract Of late, the malevolent attacks of the terrorists have left the world panic-stricken. Among the range weapons used by the atrocious terrorists, biological and chemical weapons have become deep-rooted for mass destruction. These weapons of terrorism are used fundamentally to destroy human life, animals, or property by their harmful reactions. Popular biological agents include variola major (small pox), Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), Yersinia pestis (plague), while the most common chemical agents include nerve agents (tabun, sarin), blood agents (hydrogen cyanide), blister agents (lewisite, phosgene oxime), etc. An important instance was the attack in October 2001 when congressmen and other citizens received mails containing anthrax. To deal with such a scenario the Critical Incidence Management becomes inevitable which involves in-scene support, demobilization for emergency responders, defusing, and debriefing. Terrorism (Bio-Chemical Attack) and Critical Incident Management Planning Issues Introduction . According to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the weapons adopted by the terrorists with the objective of mass destruction are mainly categorized into five groups using the acronym – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (“Emergency Information”, 2008). Off late the increasing number of terrorist attacks, biological, explosive or chemical, such as the one in USA (2001), Madrid (2004) and London (2005) has grossly increased the tensions of the government, organizations and policymakers. These catastrophic events have challenged the emergency respond and raised eyebrows on the capability of the critical incident management plan of the nation and its responsible institutions. Biological & Chemical Terrorism According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, bioterrorism has been defined as, “the use of force or violence against people or property to create fear and to get publicity for political causes” (FEMA, n.d). The section of terrorism which targets to kill or injure people, livestock or crops by the implementation of biological weapons like organisms (bacteria or viruses) or toxins is considered as bioterrorism (Baggerly, 2005). Some critical agents of biological terrorism include variola major (small pox), Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), Yersinia pestis (plague), etc. (Khan et al. 2000). Poisonous gases, liquids or solids having toxic impacts on human beings, animals or plants are known as chemical agents. (“Emergency Information”, 2008). “Chemical terrorism acts are likely to be overt because the effects of chemical agents absorbed through inhalation or by absorption through the skin or mucous membranes are usually immediate and obvious.” Some critical agents of biological terrorism include variola major (small pox), Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), Yersinia pestis (plague), etc. (Khan et al. 2000). Some critical agents of chemical terrorism include nerve agents (tabun, sarin), blood agents (hydrogen cyanide), blister agents (lewisite, phosgene oxime), heavy metals (arsenic, lead), volatile toxins (benzene, chloroform), etc. (Khan et al. 2000). Ranging anywhere from dissemination of aerosolized anthrax spores to food product contamination, biological or chemical terrorism requires super-attention particularly in view of the last ten years disasters such as the sarin gas attack in Tokyo subway, the discovery of military biowepens programs in Iraq and the former Soviet Union (Khan et al. 2000). The past incidents of biological and chemical terrorisms included bacterial pathogens, nerve gas, lethal plant toxin, arsenals, etc. (Khan et al. 2000). Popular instances of Bio-Chemical Terrorism The catapulting of dead horses by soldiers at a castle in Northern France in 1340 is believed to be the most ancient incident of bioterrorism followed by the throwing of plague—infected corpses by Tartars over a city in Italy in1346 (Baggerly, 2005). The next bioterrorism incident is marked in 1760s when British soldiers spread smallpox in Boston and Quebec by distributing blankets with smallpox cabs to the Native Americans (Baggerly, 2005). A significant case of bioterrorism can be traced from World War II when almost 10,000 Chinese people were killed by the usage of anthrax and plague by Japanese soldiers (Baggerly, 2005). The latest bioterrorism attack was in October 2001 when congressmen and other citizens received mails containing anthrax (Baggerly, 2005). Other instances include the sarin gas attack in Tokyo subway and the discovery of military biowepens programs in Iraq and the former Soviet Union (Khan et al. 2000). Critical Incident Management Joe Gasparich defines Critical Incident as, “any natural or manmade event, civil disturbances, or any other occurrence of unusual or severe nature that threatens to cause or causes the loss of fire or injury to citizens and/or severe damage to property.” (Gasparich, 2002) The management of such critical incidents is the directing of all actions at the incident scene (Gasparich, 2002). The strategies of World War II laid the foundation of Critical Incident Management which encompass, “common terminology, modular organization, integrated communications, a unified command structure, consolidated action plans, a manageable span of control, designated incident facilities, and comprehensive resource management” (Gasparich, 2002). A typical Critical Incident Management encompasses emergency medicine personnel and mental health experts and offers aids through various phases of counseling such as the in-scene support, the demobilization for emergency responders, offering regular updates on their endeavors at the spot, the defusing, evaluating the requirements of those who face discharge from their duties for medical health or other services, the debriefing, meeting with groups, weeks or months following the disaster to assess the requirement for additional counseling for over-stressed individuals (“Existing Bioterrorism Programs”, n.d.). The debriefing phase of Critical Incident Management initiated as a group method, deserves a special mention as it plays a vital role in lessening the chances of developing post-traumatic stress disorder of the emergency personnel (Alexander & Klein, 2003). “Its popularity resulted in it being widely used for civilians as a single-session intervention following traumatic experiences, a development far removed from the original model.” (Alexander & Klein, 2003). Critical incident management for treating bio-chemical terrorism demands sufficient and instant availability of antibiotics and vaccines to deal with the addressed biological agents (“Emergency Information”, 2008). There should be a proper plan for mobilizing regional resources (“Emergency Information”, 2008). It is advisable to keep a battery-operated radio or TV ready to acquire information on what to do in case of such emergencies (“Emergency Information”, 2008). In general, all citizens are suggested to be alert and well acquainted with Family Disaster Plan suggested by the American Red Cross and the evacuation plan for being prepared to deal with any such sudden attacks (“Emergency Information”, 2008). Some of the significant action plans are: (“Emergency Information”, 2008). Move If stuck inside, it is best to move to the highest or most interior of a house. In case one is attacked outdoors moving laterally and unwinding thus staying away form any smoke or aerosol cloud is suggested. Shelter Finding shelter in a building or covered roof and putting off the engine, air conditioner, heater is advisable if trapped in a vehicle. Evacuation As per the situation one might have to be ready with evacuating the house with certain necessary items mentioned by the Family Disaster Plan. Decontaminate It is best suggested to restrict contact with all outside surfaces, part away with the clothes and jewelry which has been contaminated putting in a separate, sealed plastic bags and wash the exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water along with proper shampooing of hair. Action Plans of various Organizations University of Pittsburg Medical Center The University of Pittsburg Medical Center (UPMC) has constructed the UPMC Bioterrorism Preparedness Group with the view to ensure that there is no compromise in the quality of patient care in the occurrence of any disaster (“Existing Bioterrorism Programs”, n.d.). The objective of the organization is to create systems with the skill of infectious disease and disaster specialists thereby confirming the apt examination and usage of life-saving antidotes and vaccines to bioterrorism agents from time to time (“Existing Bioterrorism Programs”, n.d.).The association prepared a team of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) which has already tackled the incidence at the Three Rivers Regatta, the 1994 USAir Flight 427 crash in Hopewell Township, Pa, the United Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, Pa, on Sep 11, and latest one, the Quecreek Mine Rescue in Somerset Pa (“Existing Bioterrorism Programs”, n.d.). University of Virginia The University of Virginia constructed the University of Virginia Critical Incident Management Plan (CIPM) with the objective of offering direction and framework to the response and actions of University academic and administrative departments in the occurrence of any crisis (“Emergency Information”, 2008). The institution’s critical incident planning priorities are as follows: (“Emergency Information”, 2008). 1. Safeguarding the lives of people and eliminating or restricting personal injury 2. Safeguarding the environment 3. Eliminating or restricting harm to physical assets encompassing structures, animals, research data, and library collections 4. Reinstating normal operations Conclusion From the above discussion we can coherently conclude that the emergence of bio-chemical terrorist attacks have brought the entire world under constant and deadly threats. The usage of such poisonous biological and chemical weapons by the atrocious terrorists can invite the greatest disasters for human life. Hence, chalking out a carefully laid management plan namely the critical incident management plan becomes imperative to carefully deal with such heinous acts of the malevolent people. References Alexander, David Alan. & Klein, Susan. (2003). “Biochemical terrorism: too awful to contemplate, too serious to ignore”. The British Journal of Psychiatry. Retrieved Apr 24, 2009, from http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/183/6/491 Baggerly, Jennifer N. (2005). “Bioterrorism preparedness: what school counselors need to know”. The Free Library. Retrieved Apr 24, 2009, http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Bioterrorism+preparedness:+what+school+counselors+need+to+know-a0133775494 “Emergency Information: Critical Incident Management Plan”. (2008). University of Virginia. Retrieved Apr 24, 2009, from http://www.virginia.edu/emergency/plan.html “Existing Bioterrorism Programs at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center”. (n.d.). UPMC. Retrieved Apr 24, 2009, from http://www.upmc.com/MediaRelations/factsheets/Pages/BioCenterProgram.aspx Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (n.d.). National security emergencies. Retrieved Apr 24, 2009, from http://www.fema.gov/kids/nse/ Gasparich, Joe. (2002). “Introduction to Incident Management Lecture from Illinois Bioterrorism Summit 2002 May 28-30, 2002 – Instructor: Joe Gasparich”. Suburban Emergency Management Project. Retrieved Apr 24, 2009, from http://www.semp.us/publications/biot_reader.php?BiotID=9 Khan, Ali S., Levitt, Alexandra M, & Sage, Michael J. ( 2000). “Biological and Chemical Terrorism: Strategic Plan for Preparedness and Response: Recommendations of the CDC Strategic Planning Workgroup”. CDC. MMWR. Retrieved Apr 24, 2009, from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr4904a1.htm Read More