Terrorism: An Emergency?

The September 11th terrorist effort on the being Trade Center allow forever be in the minds of some(prenominal) Ameri lowlife. It is a reality which tells us that it hindquarters go along again, anytime and anywhere. The impact of such(prenominal) act to a fault tells us that it is something the regime and the nation moldiness conduct attention to and be prep atomic number 18d for.For many years now, act of terrorism is let off an existent problem which gobbled up a substantial amount from the government resources. Not only that, besides it also caused countless fatalities and destroyed properties. It has also put the government in an unsure position as to how it mass be eliminated. The worsening situation regarding terrorism has the government taking up drastic steps for the nations bail and considering it an emergency brake by which every nation must be prep ared to face.The Office of the advocate secretaire of the coupled States (2007) announced almost superfl uous grant direction and application kits for three grant classs (Port certificate subsidization Program (PSGP), excursion Security Grant Program (TSGP), and Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)), which totaled to $827 one thousand thousand this year. According to Michael Chertoff, Homeland Security Secretary, the additional influx of federal dollars willing be for the enhancement of security notices. Additionally, the money will enable the emergency managers to have more tools to build on theme preparedness goals.Allotment of these funds shows us how serious the pr heretoforetion of terrorism is. The United States government will prioritize funding for training and unexclusive awareness campaigns, reducing the risks of improvised explosive devices and radiological, biological and chemical weapons, and securing expatriation systems. Moreover, grant funding will further improve the governments emergency management capabilities.According to the American National Red Cr oss (2001), thither 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 as buildings. Second is the involvement of the local, state and federal units due to the criminal disposition of the event. Third is the mishap that the health and mental health resources can be strained or overwhelmed. Next, the prolonged existence of public fear, international implications and consequences and wide media coverage. Fifth is the possibility of evacuation. And lastly, the clean-up which may take up very long.With regards to weapons of aggregated dying (weapon of mass devastation), 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 admission fee to equipment and training needed to fight 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 platform 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 unhealthiness alone, which struck American Legion conventioneers, tells us of the worst possible outgrowth 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 slew 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 more and more casualties. This is clea rly an emergency both 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 separate 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 stay fresh this from happening, a strategy called the New Strategic Framework was formed. Under the framework, en garde systems which aim to protect against missile 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 special concern, harmonise to Wolf, is protection and security from WMD. This entails some steps. First, there should be step-down and cessation of WMD production. The United States objective is to obligate and dispose unornamented materials of WMD. The second step is stopping Irans acquisition of these materials.It is believed that Iran wants to improve and sire 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. matchless 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 against WMD and missile proliferation. T he 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 reply 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 scathe and death and implement actions which prevent the public from harm. This means that the attack turn up 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 station the attackers. Third is mitigation. How to prevent such incident from happening should be set(p) (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 improve about what they can do in case 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 root 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 usin g 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.