Terrorism: An Emergency?

The September 11th terrorist endeavour on the initiation Trade Center pull up stakes forever be in the minds of every(prenominal) Ameri crowd out. It is a reality which tells us that it screw get hold again, anytime and anywhere. The impact of much(prenominal) act in like manner tells us that it is something the government activity and the nation essential comport attention to and be prep ard for.For many years now, act of terrorist act is lock up an existent problem which gobbled up a substantial amount from the government resources. Not only that, still it also caused countless fatalities and destroyed properties. It has also put the government in an unsure position as to how it crowd out be eliminated. The worsening situation regarding terrorism has the government taking up drastic steps for the nations warranter and considering it an catch by which every nation must be prepargond to face.The Office of the inspire writing table of the join States (2007) announc ed close to supererogatory grant commission and application kits for three grant chopines (Port bail feed Program (PSGP), cut across Security Grant Program (TSGP), and Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)), which totaled to $827 one thousand million this year. According to Michael Chertoff, Homeland Security Secretary, the additional influx of federal dollars go forth be for the enhancement of security footprints. Additionally, the money will enable the emergency managers to have more tools to build on home(a) preparedness goals.Allotment of these funds shows us how serious the pr regular(a)tion of terrorism is. The United States government will prioritize funding for training and existence awareness campaigns, reducing the risks of improvised explosive devices and radiological, biological and chemical weapons, and securing passing systems. Moreover, grant funding will further improve the governments emergency management capabilities.According to the American N ational Red Cross (2001), on that point are many things which could happen after a terrorist attack which calls for emergency action. First is that there can be casualties and damages to properties such(prenominal) as buildings. Second is the involvement of the local, state and federal units due to the criminal disposition of the event. Third is the disaster that the health and mental health resources can be strained or overwhelmed. Next, the prolonged existence of public fear, international implications and consequences and enormous media coverage. Fifth is the possibility of evacuation. And lastly, the clean-up which may take up very long.With regards to weapons of big bucks ravaging (weapon of mass decease), Taylor (2000) analyzed the use 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 have entre to equipment and training needed to fi ght against acts of terrorism. It involves access to the use of WMD such as chemical, radiological and biological. A large amount of money is funded for the curriculum in order to train law enforcement and emergency response agencies in dealing with terrorist attacks.Taylor (2000) added that the production of WMD might increase the number of casualties from terrorist attacks as the US population was vulnerable to such attacks. The Legionnaires complaint alone, which struck American Legion conventioneers, tells us of the worst possible terminus of bioweapons. As this shows that the public can be attacked with these weapons, the enemies could use these for their terrorist attacks.Weapons of push-down stack destruction include chemical, radiological and biological weapons. Their effects could be enormous. Lives will be lost 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 m ore and more casualties. This is clearly an emergency some(prenominal) ways because the 40 percent of terrorist attacks around the world is targeted at the United States despite the fact that the country has no quarrels with other countries. The population is even more vulnerable to an attack using WMD.According to John Bolton (2002), Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, there are risks in using WMD. The worst thing that could happen is when the weapons fall into the hands of terrorists. To hold on this from happening, a strategy called the New Strategic Framework was formed. Under the framework, defending systems which aim to protect against projectile attacks will be created, nonproliferation and counterproliferation measures will be enhanced, nuclear weapons will be reduced and cooperation with Russia to eliminate terrorism will be prioritized.John Wolf, Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation (2002), added that these weapons of mass destruction are a threat to the United States forces around the world. The indigenous concern, harmonize to Wolf, is protection and security from WMD. This entails some steps. First, there should be reducing and cessation of WMD production. The United States objective is to say-so and dispose scanty materials of WMD. The second step is stopping Irans acquisition of these materials.It is believed that Iran wants to improve and get out its WMD and missile programs. Third step is stopping the proliferation of nuclear and missile in and from South Asia. Wolf stated that approximately one million troops face off on the India-Pakistan border. Concerns were raised over the possibility that the WMD and missiles there might fall in the wrong hands.Several actions are needed to be taken to prevent further proliferation of WMD and missiles. i is to make sure that the suppliers of WMD materials and missiles end their cooperation. Another is to ensure that security is at its maximum agains t WMD and missile proliferation. The effectiveness of the export control of the states should also be enhanced. They should also secure their WMD and missiles and help other states that do not have enough 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 overseas 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 the government must minimize the disfigurement and death and implement actions which prevent the public from harm. This means that t he attack position 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, evidence should be gathered which will be used for later prosecutions. This should be the primary concern of law enforcement officials. They should invest the attackers. Third is mitigation. How to prevent such incident from happening should be fixed (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, according to Taylor (2000), is the difficulty of getting public support. Effective emergency management program will be the solution to the program, and this requires public support. The public should be enlightened about what they can do in c ase 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 theme 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 new strategic framework A response to 21st century threats. U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda, 7, 2.Office of the Press Secretary. (2007). DHS announces additional $260 million in supplemental grants funding. Retrieved on December 16, 2007 from the Homeland Security web site, http//www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1187294574562.shtmTaylor, Eric R. (2000). Are we prepared for terrorism using weapons of mass destruction? Governments half measures. Policy Analysis, 387, 1-17.Wolf, John. (2002). U.S. approaches to nonproliferation. U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda, 7, 2.