United States to Respond to a WMD

¶ … United States to Respond to a WMD Attack Within Our Borders?

The objective of this study is to answer how prepared the United States is to respond to a WMD attack within its borders and to answer whether there is enough capability to effectively respond to such an attack. This study will further answer as to whether the response plan and command control structure clearly understandable and whether everyone has a role or if there are gaps or redundancies. Finally, this study will answer as to how intelligence supports this response with restrictions imposed upon intelligence operations within our borders.

The challenges to an effective response to a WMD attack within U.S. borders are diverse in nature. Some of the challenges are technology related while others relate to communication among agencies and operation teams. In addition, there is presently funding issues relating to effective management of homeland security initiatives making efficient methods of security more important than ever before in history as more countries gain access to weapons of mass destruction and accompanying technological advances resulting in a larger capacity for launching WMD attacks within U.S. borders.

I. Preparedness

In terms of technology, it is related that CBRNE equipment standards are required for ensuring that threats are reliably evaluated and that effective response strategies are implemented. Towards this end, it is critical that the technological curve be kept in view in the establishment of the CBRNE equipment performance standards through leveraging "the best practices from other industry sectors, such as telecommunications, electronics, and personal protective equipment (PPE) that rely heavily on the use of performance standards." (National Security Council, 2009) Performance standards are inclusive of: (1) effectiveness; (2) suitability; and (3) survivability. (National Security Council, 2009) The importance of technological aspects of securing the U.S. Homeland cannot be overstated and specifically since USNORTHCOM, establishing in 2002 serves to united and combine all aspects of the Department of Defense. USNORTHCOM is reported to be in charge of planning, organizing, and executing "…homeland defense and civil support missions…" (DISAM Journal of International Security Assistance Management, 2007) NORTHCOM is reported to provide "unity of command, which is critical to mission accomplishment." (DISAM Journal of International Security Assistance Management, 2007)

II. Gaps and Redundancies

Joint Publication 3-28 reports that Homeland Defense (HD) and Civil Support (CS) Missions "are distinct" however, "some department roles and responsibilities overlap, and operations require extensive coordination between lead and supporting agencies." (2007) While the missions of CS and HS and reported as "separate…but have areas where the roles and responsibilities may overlap and/or lead and supporting roles may transition between organizations." (Joint Publication 3-28, 2007) In addition, it is reported "HD and CS operations may occur in parallel and require extensive integration and synchronization. In addition, operations may transition from HD to CS to HS and vice versa with the lead depending on the situation and U.S. Government's desired outcome." (Joint Publication 3-28, 2007) The National Response Plan (NRP) arose from Homeland Security Directive-5, Management of Domestic Incidents: a single comprehensive approach to domestic incident management built on the template of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). This plan is a plan that includes response to all hazards and provides the "structure and mechanisms for national-level policy and operational direction for incident management to ensure timely and effective federal support." (2007) The NRP is reported as applicable "to all federal departments and agencies that have primary jurisdiction for or participate in operations requiring coordinated federal response." (Homeland Security Directive-5, 2007) This plan makes identification of the method of response that will be utilized by federal departments and agencies to "state, tribal, and/or local requests for assistance (RFAs)." (Homeland Security Directive-5, 2007) The Federal Emergency Management Agency coordinates and manages the NRP. The overall coordination of incidents management is reported to be executed through the Secretary of Homeland Security, HIMS is reported to be consistent and the "doctrinal framework for incident management at all jurisdictional levels." (Homeland Security Directive-5, 2007) Prevention of incidents is reported as being performed by DOD in assisting with identification of threats "primarily through intelligence analytical support." (Homeland Security Directive-5, 2007) DOD further provides analytical support to "key law enforcement centers within the continental U.S. including the "joint terrorism task forces, field intelligence groups, and high intensity drug trafficking areas headquarters." (Homeland Security Directive-5, 2007) The Civil Air Patrol is reported to assist the U.S. Customs Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Forest Service in their "counterdrug efforts by flying air reconnaissance and providing transportation and communications support." (Homeland Security Directive-5 2007) It is reported finally, that since the public, media and even state and local officials are not in clear grasp of the limitations placed by the Constitution, that expectations "must be managed and communicated." (Homeland Security Directive-5, 2007) The challenge is one that involves the integration of military and civil capabilities in areas that have been struck by disaster .