Chemical Attack Recovery Plan

Recovering from a chemical attack through an unknown or known chemical agent released would pose tremendous challenges. Challenges can come from many angles such as areas of exposure, number of victims, equipment and more. It is important for United States Intelligence and Counterterrorism agencies to work together for the common goal of securing United States safety against foreign and domestic attacks. A recovery plan is a documented guideline on emergency response and ongoing efforts to secure preplanned actions. Preplanning efforts is meant to decrease on the spot decisions during the beginning of the recovery process. This method ensures the resumption of normal procedures in an effective manner.
In the chemical attack scenario the football teams New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots are challenging each other in the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl game is being held at New Orleans, Louisiana Superdome. There are approximately 72, 000 people in attendance of this high profile game. The officials received report at the beginning of the second quarter that there was a report of a bitter smell coming from the men and women restroom. The smell is thought to be that of an almond odor. After some investigation it was found to be Hydrogen cyanide. Hydrogen cyanide is noted as a dangerously poisonous gas and colorless. It was released through the vents in the Stadium bathrooms. Fans that have utilized the bathroom are experiencing worst symptoms than the ones who have not. Some symptoms include unexplained headaches, increase heart rate, vomiting, convulsions, difficulty in breathing and some are now collapsing. Others are beginning to have similar reaction to the exposure of this chemical agent that is not spreading.
“People who come into contact with a small amount of cyanide by breathing it, absorbing it through their skin or eating foods that contain it may have some or all of the following symptoms within minutes rapid breathing, weakness, nausea and vomiting, restlessness, headache, rapid heart rate, and/or dizziness” (IPC Staff).
In this type of hazardous environment the importance of intelligence combination with law enforcement and officials is of extreme urgency. The intelligence community expertise will enhance the investigation process of deciphering the how and why of developments in the attack. Our recovery plan will start with the strategic plan of different intelligence agencies. Due to the differences in the agencies used we will identify which areas will be managed. This will help in aiding the recovery process. There is a high importance for effective responses. That information should be clear and concise so that it is understood by all persons involved. Any agency apart of the recovery plan will have knowledge of each other’s aspect and scope of operations. They will work together consistently for the common goal of recovering from the chemical attack and ensuring safety of the community. There will be the tasking of locating and identifying everyone from the event. Potential witnesses will have to be identified and interviewed. Locations of hospital triages and treatment centers will be setup to aid in helping victims recover from poison. Clear and concise communication of attack will be made public in a way to dispel panic.
“Probably the most important difference is the fear and anxiety generated in the community and among the emergency responders who must deal with unknown factors. This fear and anxiety may be present in possible victims, who do not know and who cannot be immediately reassured that they have not been harmed, or it might be present in responders who fear a secondary hostile device at the scene designed to injure them. Many more agencies become involved in a deliberate release incident, including emergency medical services (EMS), fire/rescue, emergency management, law enforcement, and all levels of government that will converge on the scene in an