NCJ Number
202565
Date Published
2000
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This report presents the features of Texas' Terrorism Preparedness Program, including the terrorism preparedness objectives, preparedness initiatives, a training exercise, future preparedness initiatives, and the schedule of terrorism conferences for 2000, 2001, and 2003.
Abstract
The objectives of the Texas Terrorism Preparedness Program are to develop operations plans, procedures, and documents for State and local officials and agencies that would participate in responding to a terrorist act or incident that involves a weapon of mass destruction (WMD); to develop and deliver training for the management of a response to a terrorist act/incident; and to develop and conduct exercises that will assess existing State and/or local plans and procedures for responding to a WMD attack. The preparedness initiatives described in this report are the creation of a State-level Terrorism Working Group to determine the requirements for training equipment and organization required to respond to terrorist acts; the establishment of a State Emergency Response Team with expertise in responding to various specific types of terrorist attacks; the creation of Regional Counter-Terrorism Working Groups; the publication of a Terrorist Incident Response Annex to the State Emergency Management Plan; and the implementation of terrorism awareness conferences and seminars. Other preparedness initiatives summarized in this report involve terrorism-related risk and needs assessment, the development of planning standards, the development of a handbook for first responders, the creation of security documents, and the planning and implementation of training exercises. Emphasis is also given to State-Federal operations and cooperation. Much of this report is devoted to describing the details of a WMD/Terrorism Incident Exercise Program.