Terrorism: An Emergency?

The phratry 11th terrorist dishonour on the piece Trade Center volition ever be in the minds of either Ameri domiciliate. It is a reality which tells us that it rear end authorise again, anytime and anywhere. The impact of such(prenominal) act alike tells us that it is some social occasion the disposal and the nation essential pay attention to and be vigilant for.For many years now, terrorism is sedate an existent problem which gobbled up a substantial amount from the g all oernment resources. non only that, but it in addition ca hired countless fatalities and destroyed properties. It has also put the governing in an unsure position as to how it can be declined. The worsening shoes regarding terrorism has the government taking up drastic rates for the nations security and considering it an jot by which e very nation mustiness be watchful to flavour.The Office of the Press Secretary of the unite States (2007) announced about additional fall in guidance and ap plication kits for three afford programs (Port credentials Grant Program (PSGP), excursion Security Grant Program (TSGP), and want Management Performance Grant (EMPG)), which come to $827 million this year. According to Michael Chertoff, native land Security Secretary, the additional influx of federal dollars testament be for the enhancement of security whole steps. Additionally, the bills allow for enable the apprehension managers to look at to a greater extent tools to build on depicted object prep ardness goals.Allotment of these funds shows us how serious the hold backion of terrorism is. The unify States government will prioritize patronage for cooking and creation aw atomic number 18ness campaigns, trim back the risks of improvised explosive devices and radiological, biological and chemic weapons, and securing transit systems. Moreover, grant funding will come on improve the governments indispensability management capabilities.According to the American d epicted object Red Cross (2001), in that respect argon many things which could happen after a terrorist attack which calls for emergency action. First is that in that respect can be casualties and damages to properties such as buildings. Second is the involvement of the topical anaesthetic, domain and federal units due to the criminal reputation of the event. trio is the theory that the health and psychogenic health resources can be heavy or overwhelmed. Next, the prolonged existence of earthly concern fear, international implications and consequences and extensive media coverage. Fifth is the possibility of evacuation. And lastly, the clean-up which may take up very long.With regards to weapons of visual modality closing (weapon of mass last), Taylor (2000) analyzed the rehearse of WMD as protective measure against terrorism. The author cited the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Act, which the U.S. Congress passed in 1996, and which requires the local and state governments to ca- ca access to equipment and rail offing needed to fight against acts of terrorism. It involves access to the substance abuse of WMD such as chemical, radiological and biological. A large amount of money is funded for the program in order to train law enforcement and emergency repartee agencies in dealing with terrorist attacks.Taylor (2000) added that the production of WMD index increase the number of casualties from terrorist attacks as the US population was vulnerable to such attacks. The legionarys disease alone, which struck American Legion conventioneers, tells us of the worst workable outcome of bioweapons. As this shows that the habitual can be attacked with these weapons, the enemies could use these for their terrorist attacks.Weapons of mass destruction include chemical, radiological and biological weapons. Their personal effects could be enormous. Lives will be befuddled with the deployment of such dangerous weapons. And as terrorists have access to these weapons and more, they can use it to further their attacks, resulting to more and more casualties. This is clearly an emergency both ways be make believe the 40 pct of terrorist attacks around the world is targeted at the joined States despite the fact that the country has no quarrels with other(a) countries. The population is even more vulnerable to an attack using WMD.According to washbowl Bolton (2002), Under Secretary of State for accouterments Control and International Security, at that place atomic number 18 risks in using WMD. The worst thing that could happen is when the weapons fall into the hands of terrorists. To retard this from happening, a strategy called the New strategic Framework was formed. Under the framework, defensive systems which look to protect against missile attacks will be created, nonproliferation and counterproliferation measures will be enhanced, thermonuclear weapons will be reduced and cooperation with Russia to eliminate terrorism will be prioritized.J ohn Wolf, accessory Secretary of State for Nonproliferation (2002), added that these weapons of mass destruction are a flagellum to the get together States forces around the world. The first-string concern, gibe to Wolf, is protection and security from WMD. This entails some steps. First, there should be reduction and cessation of WMD production. The United States objective is to control and thresh about excess materials of WMD. The second step is halt Irans acquisition of these materials.It is believed that Iran wants to improve and increase its WMD and missile programs. Third step is stopping the proliferation of nuclear and missile in and from South Asia. Wolf stated that slightly one million troops face off on the India-Pakistan border. Concerns were raised over the possibility that the WMD and missiles there qualification fall in the wrong hands.Several actions are needed to be taken to prevent further proliferation of WMD and missiles. single is to pose sure that the suppliers of WMD materials and missiles end their cooperation. other is to ensure that security is at its maximum against WMD and missile proliferation. The effectiveness of the exporting control of the states should also be enhanced. They should also secure their WMD and missiles and help other states that do not have complete resources.Terrorism is a rare phenomenon that must be put in perspective. Everyone knows that one attack using WMD can cause massive casualties. According to Pete du Pont (cited in Taylor, 2000), 15 terrorist incidents happen each year in the United States. Statistics also showed that approximately 42 Americans die while 115 are injured from international acts of terrorism since 1982. What the United States should do, Taylor noted, is to implement military restraint oversea but respond to terrorist incidents against U.S. targets.Should there be a terrorist attack using WMD, there are three things that the government must address. First, responses of t he government must minimize the blur and death and implement actions which prevent the public from harm. This means that the attack site should be isolated, the agent class is identified, exposure levels is evaluated and those who are exposed evacuated to facilities where they can be treated. The government must make sure that the individuals in the attack site cooperate with it (Taylor, 2000).Second, severalize should be gathered which will be used for later prosecutions. This should be the primary concern of law enforcement officials. They should identify the attackers. Third is mitigation. How to prevent such incident from happening should be determined (Taylor, 2000).The magnitude of these terrorist attacks and the use of WMD call for every emergency measures from both the state and local levels. One problem which hinders to the success of emergency management, jibe to Taylor (2000), is the difficulty of getting public support. useful emergency management program will be the solution to the program, and this requires public support. The public should be educated about what they can do in national terrorist attacks happen. Additionally, they should be taught about the WMD and what they should do in each case.Considering the effects of terrorism, and the things it can do to a country, it should be seen as an emergency alongside other types of disasters. This paper does not posit that terrorism should be prioritized over other disasters, but the government must also allot resources and actions to prevent or be ready in case it happens.ReferencesAmerican National Red Cross. (2001). Terrorism Preparing for the unexpected. Retrieved on December 16, 2007 from http//www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_589_,00.htmlBolton, John. (2002). The sensitive strategic framework A response to 21st century threats. U.S. Foreign indemnity Agenda, 7, 2.Office of the Press Secretary. (2007). DHS announces additional $260 million in supplemental grants funding. Ret rieved on December 16, 2007 from the Homeland Security web site, http//www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1187294574562.shtmTaylor, Eric R. (2000). Are we hustling for terrorism using weapons of mass destruction? Governments half measures. insurance Analysis, 387, 1-17.Wolf, John. (2002). U.S. approaches to nonproliferation. U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda, 7, 2.