PART III

The Response Disciplines

This section of the book examines the main emergency-response disciplines and makes suggestions for preparedness for major events. Each of the major disciplines (fire, police, medical, military, scientific and laboratory, private sector) has important contributions to make to the safety and security effort at major events. Part II of this book attempted to transcend the traditional boundaries and look at planning and preparedness in a holistic manner. However, I realize that much of the preparedness effort will, by necessity, occur within rather than across the boundaries.

Before I launch into the various disciplines individually, I want to discuss the basic structure and methods that I will use. Levels of preparedness vary widely from region to region, country to country, or even within a large city. A large metropolitan area in a wealthy country with experience and access to sophisticated capabilities is quite different than a poorer country that has just won the competition to hold a major international sporting event. This book is intended for agencies and departments at all levels of preparedness. One thing that I have discovered is that the “experienced” agency's approach is not by any means necessarily superior to the newcomer's approach. Veterans and organizations with a history of supporting major events do not always know if their CBRN/HAZMAT approach is the correct one. Few incidents have occurred to stress existing practices, meaning ...

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