In the past decade, as the threat from rogue states and terrorist groups has increased, the U.S. and its allies have devoted far greater attention to how to manage the consequences of prospective uses of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Consequence management1 is a process to mitigate the effects of the use of weapons of mass destruction, including: " detecting and characterizing weapons of mass destruction attacks; " measures that protect public health, ensure safety, and protect the environment; " measures to medically counter the effects of weapons of mass destruction attacks; " measures that restore essential services to government, businesses, and individuals; and " planning, training, and equipping to coordinate/synchronize the civil-military response.2 A thorough review and discussion of U.S. plans for consequence management will include the following: " The history of consequence management of the effects of weapons of mass destruction, with particular focus on the period since 1993. " The mandate for consequence management in the recent U.S. National Security Strategy and National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction.3 These strategies direct U.S. efforts both in the homeland and in support of U.S. forces and allies overseas, though these efforts are organized differently.

An introduction to the range of potential disaster scenarios, covering the issues and organizational relationships of importance to the student of consequence management. These include the roles, responsibilities, and coordination requirements of first responders, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and the military.

NOTE: NO FURTHER DISCOUNT FOR THIS PRINT PRODUCT-- OVERSTOCK SALE -- Significantly reduced list price This study addresses the ability of the U.S. Government to cope with four plausible, far-reaching weapons of mass destruction (WMD) crises, any one of which could occur today and adversely affect the foreign and national security policies of the United States for many years to come: collapse of the nonproliferation regime, in which a number of unresolved nuclear proliferation challenges threaten to unleash a sudden and destabilizing wave of proliferation a failed WMD-armed state, creating unprecedented risks that radical actors will obtain WMD and unprecedented challenges for prevention a biological terror campaign, in which terrorists employ deadly biological pathogens to strike at multiple cities a nuclear detonation in a U.S. city, delivered covertly and leaving great uncertainty about who did it, whether it will happen again, and how we should respond. Taken together, these scenarios demonstrate the complex, multifaceted nature of the WMD challenge for American decision-makers and illustrate the demands that such events could place on the entire apparatus of government, alliances, and the American people. Our findings are drawn from ongoing research conducted at the National Defense University's Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction and reflect nonpartisan perspectives and conclusions drawn from extensive interactions with scores of former and serving senior U.S. officials and nationally recognized subject matter experts. This introductory section presents findings and recommendations suitable for senior civilian and military leaders whose responsibilities include different aspects of the WMD challenge and require them to integrate their departments' activities with those of other departments and foreign governments to prevent proliferation, protect against the effects of proliferation, or respond to the consequences of WMD use. It also describes the present and evolving WMD threat, reviews first principles in combating WMD, and emphasizes the need to act decisively to meet today's challenges. Federal, State, and muncipal regional planners, emergency response teams, international relations scholars, political scientists, news organizations, and American citizens may be interested in this volume. Community college, undergradeuate and graduate students pursuing course work in political and military science, emergency management, homeland security, chemistry, physics, and international relations may be interested in this volume. Related products: Eliminating Adversary Weapons of Mass Destruction: What\'s at Stake? is available here:https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-020-01571-7 Autonomous Weapon Systems: A Brief Survey of Developmental, Operational, Legal, and Ethical Issues is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-000-01177-0 Nuclear Weapons Materials Gone Missing: What Does History Teach? is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-000-01130-3 Best Practices and Guidelines for CBR Mass Personnel Decontamination Training Support Package (TSWG Controlled Item) --NOTE CONTROLLED ITEMS NEED SPECIAL AUTHORING AGENCY APPROVAL PRIOR TO SHIPMENTS-- MORE information about this product can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-001-00191-6

Since its inception in 1994, the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD Center) has been at the forefront of research on the implications of weapons of mass destruction for U.S. security. Originally focusing on threats to the military, the WMD Center now also applies its expertise and body of research to the challenges of homeland security. The center's mandate includes research, education, and outreach. Research focuses on understanding the security challenges posed by WMD and on fashioning effective responses thereto. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has designated the center as the focal point for WMD education in the joint professional military education system. Education programs, including its courses on combating WMD and consequence management, enhance awareness in the next generation of military and civilian leaders of the WMD threat as it relates to defense and homeland security policy, programs, technology, and operations. As a part of its broad outreach efforts, the WMD Center hosts annual symposia on key issues bringing together leaders and experts from the government and private sectors.

The Oklahoma City bombing, intentional crashing of airliners on September 11, 2001, and anthrax attacks in the fall of 2001 have made Americans acutely aware of the impacts of terrorism. These events and continued threats of terrorism have raised questions about the impact on the psychological health of the nation and how well the public health infrastructure is able to meet the psychological needs that will likely result. Preparing for the Psychological Consequences of Terrorism highlights some of the critical issues in responding to the psychological needs that result from terrorism and provides possible options for intervention. The committee offers an example for a public health strategy that may serve as a base from which plans to prevent and respond to the psychological consequences of a variety of terrorism events can be formulated. The report includes recommendations for the training and education of service providers, ensuring appropriate guidelines for the protection of service providers, and developing public health surveillance for preevent, event, and postevent factors related to psychological consequences.

Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, many people in the government and the Department of Defense have debated the domestic role of the military. With the increased possibility of a terrorist attack using Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) in the homeland, many in the Department of Defense and the federal government believe that the military should play a greater role in homeland security. They argue that the military should be prepared to fight the nation's wars and should also provide a force to assist in the consequence management from a successful WMD attack. There are many issues to this debate that must be examined ranging from funding, training, equipping, size of the force, and the ability to move to the incident site quickly and with the capabilities to save the lives of those affected by the attack. This paper will focus on determining the correct size and defining the capabilities that this force should have to allow it to move quickly enough to the incident site to conduct our primary mission, saving lives. If we fail to plan and execute this mission properly, we would fail the American people and it would have grave implications for the homeland.