Combating Terrorism: Opportunities to Improve Domestic Preparedness Program Focus and Efficiency

Abstract

Concerned that terrorists might move beyond using conventional weapons to weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear devices-Congress authorized the federal government to improve capabilities to respond to such incidents, particularly at the local level. As requested, we reviewed the status and other aspects of the Domestic Preparedness Program, a training, assistance, and equipment loan program led by the Department of Defense (DOD). Specifically, we evaluated (1) the training and other benefits offered to cities under the Domestic Preparedness Program and (2) the methodology for designing and implementing the program, including the way in which cities were selected to participate, how cities' capabilities and needs were assessed, and the effectiveness of interagency coordination on this and other similar consequence management training and equipment programs. You also asked us to determine the potential cost of equipping and maintaining the capability of a city to respond to a terrorist incident involving WMD. This matter will be the subject of a report to be issued later.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA356511

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemical Agent Detectors
  • Chemical Detectors
  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Congress
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Emergency Response
  • First Responders
  • Health Services
  • Information Systems
  • Interagency Coordination
  • Medical Personnel
  • National Security
  • Public Health
  • Terrorism
  • United States
  • Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Readers

  • Critical Infrastructure Protection in CBRN and WMD Threats.
  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.