Leadership in Risk Assessment Mean to You

¶ … leadership in risk assessment mean to you with regard to terrorism?

Effective risk assessment of any kind means continual scanning of the exterior environment, to ensure that the most likely risks are ideally stopped before they become problems in the first place. If this is not possible, then the next most feasible strategy is to mitigate risk. "Once the risks have been identified and assessed, putting a comprehensive risk management plan in place for terrorism risk is similar in many respects to understanding and managing the risks due to other hazards, such as extreme wind or earthquakes. Often, emergency planning and disaster recovery preparations that are in place for other types of hazards can be extended to prepare for and/or protect against terrorist attacks" (Gould 2004). Ideally, risk management means being able to project from whom and where the likely threats will arise, based upon current intelligence regarding domestic and international threats. Infiltrating terrorist organizations, monitoring them, and assessing past incidents are all part of this protection strategy. Security at and screening of likely targets is also vital. And, when these measures fail, then plans must be in place to coordinate activities between law enforcement on a federal, state, and local level to insure a an effective response.

Q2. What is the importance of planning with regards to terrorism emergency management?

Dealing with the fallout from a terrorist attack is a massive effort and requires 'dry runs' and coordination of personnel. A thorough assessment of the types of equipment needed to deal with various threats is also required, whether these threats come from explosions or chemical attacks. Every attack is different, depending on the nature of the target and the specific object of the assault. Of course, a completely accurate assessment is impossible, but simulating likely future events ensures better physical and psychological preparation for an attack, if it occurs.

Planning can also help law enforcement officials to anticipate what types of threats are most likely, and change planned responses based upon new intelligence that has been gathered by the authorities. The likely types of terrorist threat are always 'moving targets' in the sense that organizations, alliances, weapons, and targets are constantly changing. As the nature of the threat changes, so must planned responses.

Planning is needed in particular for local authorities, who must make sure they have the capabilities or resources to deal with large-scale attacks. "The initial detection of a WMD terrorist attack will likely occur at the local level by either first responders or private entities… first responders, the business community, and members of the medical community -- both public and private -- should be trained to identify hazardous agents and to take appropriate actions" (Managing the emergency consequences of terrorist incidents, 2002, FEMA). It cannot be assured that the most senior or specialized law enforcement personnel will be able to immediately reach the scene.