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By William Benson
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In the post 9/11 world,
people have come to understand that large cities have the potential
to be powerful targets for terrorists. A significant amount of
effort and funding has been expended to increase the capability of
public services’ ability to respond to this threat. In rural
communities, emergency planning generally does not address terrorist
related events, and instead focuses on known natural disasters. Every
small town has some memory of a significant event in its past,
whether it be tornadoes, winter storms, flooding, or wildfires, and
their local First Responders develop their emergency response plans
accordingly. Rural emergency planners believe that the history of
terrorist-related events suggest that smaller communities are not the
preferred target of terrorists and many communities believe
themselves safe from the effects of a terrorist attack. Unfortunately,
this belief creates a false sense of security. The
likelihood of a targeted terrorist attack against a small town is
extremely low, but this does not mean that a successful attack
against a neighboring large city won’t have a catastrophic impact.
Small town emergency response plans generally address the needs of
the townsfolk. First Response assets, emergency shelters, and
procedures to establish communications and logistical infrastructures
are geared to protect the town. For the most part, these plans are
pragmatic, well-thought out, and reviewed for improvements on a
continual basis. Smaller towns, especially rural towns, are
self-sufficient, less reliant on technology, and are able to easily
withstand loss of telephones and electricity, as these events might
be common during periods of extreme weather.
On the other hand, it is
vital to include in a small town’s Emergency Response Plan the
possibility of the mass migration of displaced victims, especially if
the small town in question is located along a high speed avenue of
flight from a large city. Should a large city find itself the victim
of a chemical, biological, or radiological (CBR) attack, human nature
is to flee. With the possible exception of the city First
Responders, a significant percentage of the rest of the population
will evacuate. As seen in the Gulf Coast region during Hurricane
Katrina, the local population will attempt to shelter in place when
faced with weather conditions that they believe they comprehend
(rain, flooding, etc.) but when faced with “the invisible death”,
they will attempt to flee. This evacuation cannot be expected to be
either orderly or in accordance with established evacuation plans. It
must be assumed that a CBR event will overwhelm and render the
city’s First Response assets and infrastructure useless. Displaced
victims of this CBR event will attempt to find the fastest route away
from the impacted area. They cannot be expected to have emergency
provisions, nor can they be expected to possess any degree of
self-reliance. They will use whatever transportation assets are
available, whether sound or not, and will soon realize that they need
shelter, food, medical facilities, and basic living needs (such as
restroom facilities). Depending on its size, a small town’s
infrastructure might be able to absorb the increased strain on its
resources posed by the sudden arrival of large numbers of displaced
victims. For a small rural community, there is a very good chance
that the incoming wave of displaced victims could roll right over it,
sweeping away existing plans, and resulting in the destruction of the
community in the interim. City planners must determine the largest
possible numbers of displaced person that could be expected. Provisions
should be made to route evacuation traffic either through
or around the town, dissuading those victims with the ability to
continue traveling. The flow of displaced victims should be planned
with an end-point, a city or town large enough to provide for the
needs of a majority of the expected volume of evacuees.
The highest priority in
the event of a CBR event in a neighboring large city is the need to
establish reliable communications. Phone service cannot be relied
upon during this period of time, regardless of whether the service is
via land line or cellular. Radio communications will be the most
reliable form of communication, and First Responders should establish
their communications net as soon as possible. The services provided
by the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the Radio Amateur
Civil Emergency Service (RACES) can assist First Responders in
establishing reliable communications, providing trained amateur radio
operators to assist in handling message traffic. Most members of
these organizations are prepared to respond to emergencies, and can
be self-sufficient for at least 24 hours.
Second on the list of
priorities is emergency medical care. Most rural towns rely upon a
volunteer Fire Service for both Fire Suppression and Emergency
Medical Technicians. These volunteers are well-versed in dealing
with emergencies common in their jurisdictions, but cannot be
expected to be proficient in responding to medical complications
stemming from a CBR event. Training prior to the event will prevent
additional “downstream” casualties (such as radiation sickness
from a previously exposed victim, cross contamination from a victim
of a biological agent, etc.) Those Fire Personnel not involved in
Medical Response should be familiar with Decontamination Protocols,
and Hot-Line procedures.
Third on the list of
priorities is the safety and security of the town. This aspect of
the response is the most difficult to determine. Much depends on the
psychological condition of the evacuees. There is the possibility of
mass hysteria and panic. This possibility can be alleviated through
clear and simple communications. Prior planning will allow town
representatives to inform the evacuees as to where they are being
expected to go. Town representatives who give a calm, unified,
compassionate appearance will do much to spread calm through the
crowds of evacuees (which, if not handled with care, can devolve into
a mob). Even the appearance of orderliness in the face of
uncertainty can soothe the fears of evacuees. It is not recommended
that the town representatives establish an armed response to the
evacuees, as this will have a negative effect, but the town should
have a contingency plan in case the crowd becomes hostile. This plan
should only be enacted as a very last resort. Unfortunately, Law
Enforcement assets will be unreliable at best, given the overwhelming
nature of a CBR event. Prior planning can identify whether there are
citizens of the town qualified and capable of managing a security
contingent until relived by the proper law enforcement authorities
(consider SCOPE and CERT programs). This issue should be resolved
with the proper authorities prior to implementation of the emergency
plan.
If you have any
questions,
please contact us at: info@oursafetowns.com.
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