Verified Document

Security Professionals Respond To A Bioterrorism Attack Article Review

¶ … security professionals respond to a Bioterrorism attack in the United States. What are the precise steps that are taken -- or should be taken -- to protect citizens in the event of an attack? An article by the former head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Michael Chertoff, provides step-by-step information relative to the response security officials follow in the event of a Bioterrorism attack. Chertoff asserts on page 8 that the "key" to meeting the challenge of a possible terrorist-related biological threat is to approach it in a "systematic, comprehensive way" which involves a great deal of intelligent advanced planning. Though vitally important, this kind of advanced planning cannot ever fully anticipate all the ramifications of a terror attack in the biological genre. Chertoff is showing his savvy when he explains that "every aspect of society" can be expected to be impacted during a biologically induced catastrophe.

Of course emergency rooms of hospitals will be stretched to their maximum capacity if such a catastrophe...

And because people will be staying home to reduce the chance of exposure to whatever biological danger lurks outside their houses, and because they basically won't have a plan, services will shut down and that will be an additional burden on the security professionals' ability to protect society. Within this scenario, according to Chertoff, a ripple effect will add to the confusion and the crisis will be amplified. For example, no food will be delivered to supermarkets; power plants won't be producing the usual amount of electricity so blackouts and brownouts can be expected to occur.
Another aspect within this Bioterrorism event is the fact that there likely won't be a big explosion, but rather there will just be a slowly growing awareness that something lethal and toxic is in the air. The lack of drama could fool people into believing there is nothing to fear, Chertoff continues. The former head of DHS insists that if there is a possibility that anthrax could be launched as a weapon in the U.S., there is a strategy -- a protocol…

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

Chertoff, Michael. (2008). Confronting Biological Threats to the Homeland. Joint Force

Quarterly, 51(4), 8-12.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Commencement of the Attack on
Words: 4584 Length: 15 Document Type: Term Paper

Consideration should be given to the development of a common form to be used by both law enforcement and epidemiology personnel. This form should allow the sharing of necessary information while protecting the confidentiality of victims (Department of Defense. 2000)." Criminal Investigation The criminal investigation is a critical step as it allows the law enforcement agencies and the health community to determine the cause of the attacks and the gravity of

Soon After 911 Terrorist Attack,
Words: 2862 Length: 10 Document Type: Term Paper

Therefore the consequences of such restrictions and regulations have further complicated the case, the research activities have been either shunned or go unreported to avoid any confrontation with the investigation agencies, 'the climate of fear created by the Butler case is even threatening the ability of the United States government to detect bioterrorist activity, the labs in one state are no longer reporting routine incidents of animals poisoned with

Chemical and Biological Terrorism
Words: 3146 Length: 10 Document Type: Research Paper

Chemical and Biological Terroism Biological and Chemical Terrorism Prevention The United States Government has identified the potential of chemical, biological, radiological and/or nuclear (termed CBRN) terrorism, especially after the September 11 attacks. They have been concerned ever since Sarin was used in a Tokyo subway (Aum Shinrikyo in 1995) and the anthrax case (in November 2001). The chances of terrorists resorting to these agents in warfare are pretty high considering their advantages

Air Traffic
Words: 28110 Length: 102 Document Type: Thesis

Air traffic has continued to increase and it now constitutes a considerable proportion of the travelling public. The amount of long-hour flights has increased significantly. Based on the International Civil Aviation authority, air traffic can be anticipated to double amid till 2020. Airline travel, especially over longer distances, makes air travelers vulnerable to numerous facets that will impact their health and well-being. Particularly, the speed with which influenza spreads and

Duty to Treat
Words: 2350 Length: 8 Document Type: Term Paper

goal of their ethical calling, physicians, nurses and other health care workers are obliged to treat the sick and potentially infectious patients and, in so doing, they are to take some personal risk (Murray 2003). This was the bottom line of the assessment and stand made by Dr. Henry Masur and his colleagues at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), particularly during the outbreak of dread

Bio-terrorism. The Writer Explores What Type of
Words: 1375 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

bio-terrorism. The writer explores what type of threat it is and how the nation has prepared for it, especially after the events of 9-11. The writer also provides a one page outline of the topic. There were ten sources used to complete this paper. What is Bioterrorism? How can it be used against us? What types of things can be used to commit it? What now? Steps that were taken after 9-11 Government readiness School readiness The

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now