Strategies for Mitigating Terror-Related \"After-Events\"

Terrorism Related Disaster Preparation Exercises

Terrorism-Related Disaster Preparation Exercises

In the recent years, terrorism has changed with the global sophistication, to complex and unmanageable standards. A country may consider itself a haven for its people, only to be surprised by a terrible terrorism attack. From these terror trends observed in different countries, governments must equip themselves with the necessary disaster management skills and equipment. Various disaster preparation activities can be undertaken to fight terrorism attacks. These disaster preparation exercises are meant to avoid or reduce terrorism casualties.

The foremost exercise should involve civic education on terrorism attacks. The public should be aware of what to do on receiving information on a planned terrorist activity, when in the midst of a terrorist attack or when in the aftermath of a terrorist activity (Bloomberg, Scoppetta, & Cassano, 2007). For instance, the public should be aware of the need to avoid an area they consider to be hit by terrorists. They should also move out of a building that has been targeted by terrorists or has already been attacked. They need to identify the possible evacuation routes quickly and move out of the building. They should avoid any abandoned cars, damaged buildings and crowds, and follow possible directions from the people in authority around the scene. The public should also be advised to seek for medical attention when injured, and counseling for trauma management, after suffering a terrorism experience.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency should also facilitate trainings to different stakeholders that co-work in events of disaster management (Bloomberg, Scoppetta, & Cassano, 2007). For instances, medics should be informed of the necessary course of action in preparing the hospital facilities whenever they hear of a terrorist attack with potential for mass casualties. Fire fighters should be trained on the response action in case of a terror attack, and ways of doing it, without falling victims of another attack. They need to be trained on the rehearsal evacuation methods and procedures. The security authorities also need to be aware of the best ways of supporting evacuation exercises as they track down the terrorists. Besides, the media must divulge intelligence information relating to potential terrorist attack or the event of an ongoing attack. Media houses should be trained on what to air and what not to air in a terrorist attack as a disaster preparation exercise. Such news broadcasted in the media may enhance disaster management or work against disaster management efforts.

The two areas that I believe are significant media related issues within the conduct of terrorism-related disaster preparation exercises are the healthcare of the casualties, and comprehensive coverage on terror activities (Vasterman, Yzermans, & Dirkzwager, 2004). After a fatal terrorist attack, focus should be given to the recovery of the victims' health. However, the healthcare givers have always struggled with the media in ensuring full recovery of these victims. The media seem not to consider the traumatic effects that remain within victims after a terrorist attack. Therefore, they continually air terrorist attack incidences and show traumatic pictures way after the attack. This trend usually brings up the traumatic experience to most victims, which jeopardizes their recovery process.