The article discuses the deficiencies in response to in a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) attack in major cities and the causes. The author examines possible military and Federal agency assistance. He calls for the establishment of Chemical Biological Incident Response Forces (CBIRFs) near/in seven major cities.

With the increasing availability of biological and chemical materials, the threat of terrorism grows daily. Innocent bystanders -the major targets of terrorists because they gain the most publicity - create a vast number of potential victims. In our changing world, horrendous violence has become commonplace. The growth of incidences involving chemical and biological agents has created a need for local response teams to be aware of the dangers they face. Emergency Response to Chemical and Biological Agents serves as a training manual for emergency responders who handle incidents involving biological and chemical hazardous materials. The author covers poisons such as nerve, blood, blister, and choking gases and biological agents such as anthrax, typhus, and cholera. Using examples ripped from the headlines, he explains what is and is not a terrorist act, and the difference in handling each incident. In addition the author explains the standard operating procedures of Hazardous Materials Teams before, during, and after an incident. Whether terrorist act or chemical spill, local responders usually reach the scene first. As these incidents multiply - and they will - these teams will need a blueprint for dealing with chemical and biological materials. Emergency Response to Chemical and Biological Agents provides a clear, concise plan of action for responding to these incidents.

Updated to reflect the numerous advances that have evolved since the September 11 terrorist attacks, Emergency Response Handbook for Chemical and Biological Agents and Weapons, Second Edition maintains its reputation as a comprehensive training manual for emergency responders to incidents involving nuclear, biological, and chemical materials

Created out of existing Marine forces and resources, the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force's responsibilities include reconnaissance, detection, decontamination, medical, security, and service support for managing crisis situations at home and abroad. It is a special Marine unit of first responders designed to be a well-trained, quick-moving group of soldiers, doctors, and scientists who can be mobilized to detect, prevent, or respond to terrorist threats or catastrophes that involve biological weapons, chemical weapons, or nuclear agents. In our current chaotic, destabilized, and threatening global environment, CBIRF may be the only thing that stands between us and a horrific and deadly new form of warfare waged on innocent civilian populations.

The threat of domestic terrorism today looms larger than ever. Bombings at the World Trade Center and Oklahoma City's Federal Building, as well as nerve gas attacks in Japan, have made it tragically obvious that American civilians must be ready for terrorist attacks. What do we need to know to help emergency and medical personnel prepare for these attacks? Chemical and Biological Terrorism identifies the R&D efforts needed to implement recommendations in key areas: pre-incident intelligence, detection and identification of chemical and biological agents, protective clothing and equipment, early recognition that a population has been covertly exposed to a pathogen, mass casualty decontamination and triage, use of vaccines and pharmaceuticals, and the psychological effects of terror. Specific objectives for computer software development are also identified. The book addresses the differences between a biological and chemical attack, the distinct challenges to the military and civilian medical communities, and other broader issues. This book will be of critical interest to anyone involved in civilian preparedness for terrorist attack: planners, administrators, responders, medical professionals, public health and emergency personnel, and technology designers and engineers.

Individual preparedness is an important element of our nation's strategy for homeland security. This report adopts a scenario-driven approach that provides a rigorous way to identify actions-linked specifically to terrorist attacks-individuals can take to protect their health and safety. The result is an individual's strategy across four types of terrorist attacks-chemical, radiological, nuclear, and biological-consisting of overarching goals and simple and directive response and preparatory actions. The actions are appropriate regardless of likelihood of an attack, scale of attack, or government alert level; designed to be sensitive to potential variations; and defined in terms of simple rules that should be easy for individuals to adopt.