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Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 4:11-35 (2004)
© 2004 Oxford University Press; all rights reserved

Improving Emergency Preparedness and Public-Safety Responses to Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction

   Vincent E. Henry, PhD
   Douglas H. King, DDS

From the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology, Pace University (recently retired from the New York City Police Department after a 21-year career; Henry) and private practice (King).

Contact author: Vincent E. Henry, PhD, Department of Criminal Justice, Pace University, 41 Park Row, New York, NY 10038. E-mail: vhenry{at}pace.edu.

This article, written from the perspective and based partially on the experience of law enforcement and public health practitioners, explores the very real public-safety threat posed by terrorists' use of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). More specifically, it provides an overview of various types of WMDs and their properties; outlines the general policies, procedures, and protocols characterizing current police, fire, emergency medical service, and other public-safety agency responses; and illuminates potential gaps and lapses in current practice. Arguing the need for a more focused, integrated, and holistic approach that involves a broader array of personnel and resources from public- and private-sector entities and that emphasizes preparedness and prevention, the article concludes by describing a more effective strategic and operational process. Based on the highly effective Compstat crime control management model, this process involves the timely and accurate analysis of terrorist intelligence, effective tactical and strategic responses to various types of WMD events, rapid deployment of necessary personnel and resources, and relentless follow-up to ensure a more effective and integrated response to future WMD events.

KEY WORDS: weapons of mass destruction, Compstat, terrorism, public health, police, emergency medical services, World Trade Center, bioterrorism, first responders, fire departments






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