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Domestic preparedness: the grand illusion
1George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, USA.
Emergency Medical Services
|June 1, 2001
Summary
Enhancing national security requires a structured strategy for emergency response to terrorism. Institutionalized training and sustainable federal funding are crucial for better preparedness and response capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Emergency response and national security
- Homeland security strategies
- Public health preparedness
Background:
- Terrorism poses significant challenges to emergency response and national security.
- Existing emergency response infrastructures can be leveraged for improved readiness.
- Historical precedents, like Cold War civil defense, offer models for current strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advocate for a disciplined, central strategy for counter-terrorism emergency response.
- To emphasize the need for institutionalized, regular training for emergency medical services (EMS) providers.
- To highlight the necessity of sustainable fiscal support from the federal government for local response agencies.
Main Methods:
- Integrating terrorism response training into existing Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and paramedic curricula.
- Establishing sustainable funding mechanisms for training, equipment, and maintenance.
- Adopting a comprehensive national security approach similar to past threats.
Main Results:
- Improved emergency response capacity for terrorist acts.
- Enhanced preparedness for everyday emergencies due to specialized training and equipment.
- Strengthened national security through better-equipped and trained local responders.
Conclusions:
- A unified strategy, building on existing infrastructure, is essential for effective counter-terrorism response.
- Sustainable federal funding and institutionalized training are critical investments.
- Enhanced terrorism preparedness yields significant benefits for routine emergency response.
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