The Improved Response Program
Abstract
In March 1995, the Aum Shinrikyo cult attacked the Tokyo Japan, subway system with sarin nerve agent. The incident captured international attention and sensitized world leaders to the threat of terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Recognizing this increasing threat, the Congress of the United States passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997, which provided for preparedness training against WMD for the United State's first responders. Because the Department of Defense (DoD) is experienced in defending against chemical and biological agents, Section 1415 of Title XIV stated, "The Secretary of Defense shall develop and carry out a program for testing and improving the responses of federal, state, and local agencies to emergencies involving biological weapons and related materials and emergencies involving chemical weapons and related materials." As a result of this legislation, the U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command (SBCCOM) developed an improved response program (IRP). The IRP is an analytical program designed to identify and demonstrate the best practical approaches to improve the overall preparedness of the United States to respond to domestic acts of terrorism involving C (chemical) B (biological) or CB-related materials. This article describes the IRP's mission, major products, and future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADP013452
Entities
People
- Mohamed A. Mughal
- Paul D. Fedele