Management

Terrorism Events and Impact

The impact of terrorist activities became much clearer after 9/11, and citizens began to realize that much more training and early detection of terrorist activities was necessary. The Nunn-Luger-Domenici program, created before the attacks, could not imagine the scope and deadly accuracy of the terrorists plans, or how it would throw a nation into fear. The threat of terrorism, locally, just did not seem that important, or as important as it would become. The program recognized the need for local government training and response, but did not support that training and response fiscally. Today, there is much more understanding about the nuances and threat of terrorism, and so, there is much more public support for funding any activities that can help thwart the spread of terrorism and efficiently react when terrorism occurs.

There should be more preparedness at the local government level, as these emergency responders are going to be the first on the scene of a terrorist attack. However, it is clear that terrorist activity is extremely well organized, and tracking and detection should be completed at the national level, as it is now. The Federal Government, if it creates a program and expects local governments to comply, must provide funding for those programs. Today, there is much more terror awareness, and people are demanding higher levels of security and preparedness. The policies that enhance local response are now seen much more favorably by voters and by the government, and so, there is a heightened interest in making sure these programs are funded, maintained, and ultimately successful in reducing the terrorist threat while ensuring response will be more coordinated and efficient. The 9/11 attacks make it clear terrorism is more of a threat than ever, and initially, local governments will have to be the first responders and managers. Emergency management has changed since the attacks, and the people want to know they can rely on emergency management to get the job done when necessary, and has the funding to make sure that happens.

References

Farazmand, a. (2001). Handbook of crisis and emergency management. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.