Recovery Plan / Homeland Security

Recovery plan Student Name: Institution Affiliation Introduction A recovery plan is a set of procedure and processes used to secure and recover organizations in case a risk occurs and are usually documented and stored before the risk occurs. It acts as a roadmap that an organization will use to restore its services back to normal. Usually, it is a comprehensive statement of the consistent course of actions that ought to be adhered to before, during and after a risk. The catastrophe in question could be man-made, natural or even environmental. Man-made kind of disasters could be deliberate for instance acts of terrorism or could also be unintentional for example accidents such as leakage of a man-made dam. Additionally, a recovery plan for a disaster is formulated to facilitate continuity of critical procedure in case there is an occurrence of an accident. The United States of America is one of those countries that have developed outstanding programs such Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in constructing, retaining and sustaining its resident’s wellbeing after any disaster that may affect them either economically or security. This body is given the charged with the responsibilities of protecting the citizens of America from any possible risks and hazards. However, a chemical, biological, or radiological event poses tremendously dangerous hurdles for recovery of the contaminated areas. Recovery requires on time restoration, strengthening and revitalization of infrastructure, the execution of long-term housing solutions, a sustainable economy, and also empowerment of health, cultural, social, environmental and historic fabric of the communities significantly affected by the incident (FEMA, 2011). Fulfilling all these requirements during a wide area chemical, biological and radiological incident will be complex and challenging to the body without a recovery plan. The primary purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive technical resource that complements the already documented guidance and assists recovery planners in preparing for matters that may significantly hinder or limit recovery efforts. This proposed plan should act as a catalyst for planning to address issues before the occurrence of a risk; however it may not cover all the challenges that might arise during such an incident. The proposed plan will address local, state, regional, and federal stakeholders who are within the emergency programs and are involved in response and recovery planning and all the operational activities involved. Radiological Recovery Plan A radiological incident involves the dispersal of harmful materials that are radioactive in nature. These radioactive materials are used in daily activities such as laboratory experiments, food processing, and preservation as well as irradiation plants, medical centers and other industries. If they can be misused, they can quickly be dispersed from a radiological type of devices that is not handled properly. Radiological dispersal device (RDD) is also referred to as dirty bombs. Additionally, this dirty bombs use conventional explosion to spread the materials which are radioactive over a particular area during military tests or terrorism acts (Medalia, 2013). However, radiological dispersal devices to some extent also includes different means of dispersal, for example, putting a container that contains a radioactive material in an open place, or even airplane to spread the radioactive materials in powder form. Releasing a radioactive material does not have immediate and adverse effects on a large population. This is because the materials do not release enough doses of radiation. However, despite the fact that the materials do not release high radiation intensity does not mean that they do not have any effects at all. They have several effects that There are several effects that can affect the health of people and pollute the environment as well. These materials are used to disperse people during protests and those who are close to them tend to suffer the most serious effects than those who are far. However, the professionals have conclusively consented that RDD can mostly be used to either contaminate places where people live or inflict worry in those who have been exposed to it. This can only be a terrorist attack. Some dirty bombs and RDDs typically possess effects which are localized to explode from a block to several miles. The surrounding in which these radioactive materials has been released is influenced by several factors which include, * Local weather conditions. * Means that have been used for dispersal (could be explosion, fire or even spraying) * Local topography, where buildings are located (landscape characteristics) * Chemical and physical appearance of the radioactive material, e.g. if the radioactive material has been spread as fine particles, there is a possibility for them to dispersed by the wind over a large area. The casualties arising from a dirty bomb usually develop from the heat, and force of the particular conventional explosion used to spread the radioactive material and radiological dust which affects the people near the site of the blast. Health effects from a low radiation level resulting from a Radiological Dispersal Device are usually minimal. The health effects to the victims are often determined by the radiation type; concentration of radiation that penetrates the body; length of time exposed and the means in which the radioactive materials have been presented. Whether it is externally or internally i.e. contained by the skin, ingested or inhaled. These health effects tend to be directly proportional to the intensity of the radiation. If there is a way to estimate the dose of the victim reasonably, then a lot of the health effects at that particular irradiation can be determined (Council, 2002). Also, there are economic effects that are likely to occur, and they are usually considered to be the most dangerous mechanisms that result from any use of RDD. The fear of these economic effects dates back to the cold war period. When the United States of America received the threat of radiological attacks, it was so real, and the terrorists had a broad palette of isotopes to select from. Rarely would an RDD cause mass deaths, but under the right circumstances, it can produce tens to hundreds of fatalities and indeed results in panic and enormous economic losses. These effects include infrastructural destruction. Symptoms Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) is not likely to occur from a dirty bomb. It is a short-term health effect that starts to develop as soon as individuals have been exposed to a highly radioactive material over a relatively minimal amount of time. If victims have been exposed to a large dose that is 100 rem or more of the radioactive material, then they may exhibit signs of Acute Radiation Syndrome. The main symptoms of ARS include reduced blood cells counts, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. There are also some psychological symptoms which are exhibited through anxiety; fear of being exposed is a significant consequence of a dirty bomb. If information regarding the potential exposure is not made available from credible sources and is not clearly communicated to people, then it may cause them to seek medical advice from medical centers that may complicate the center's ability to deal with acute injuries if it does not have qualified personnel. Involved Agencies The governmental bodies involved in the response to such radiological terrorist's attacks help to develop and maintain a recovery plan during such incidences include federal, state, and local bodies. To manage the consequences of terrorist's events that usually involve weapons of mass destruction and other terrorist hazards, these agencies should collaborate with each other. The works of terrorists cannot be underestimated, and therefore; this calls for planners to think outside the box to plan for responding to the most unspeakable or unimaginable. The particular Federal, state and local agencies are urged to consider a broader range of terrorist incidents that also involves assaults on the infrastructure and also electronic information systems that could result in consequences affecting human life, health, and safety. The primary responsibility of this local and state government is planning for and managing the consequences of a terrorist incident using all the available resources most importantly in the critical hours before they ask assistance from the federal government. Being the lead agency, its capacity it is responsible for coordinating the central aspects of consequence management. Whenever there is a radiological attack the government agencies involved should be the state, local and federal agencies. There are specific roles for each of the particular agencies although there is interrelations in the roles and responsibilities of the local and the state government. The local government has the following functions and responsibilities * Warning and evacuating the victims. * Local agency assessment. * Fire response (police, 911 dispatch, fire, and hazmat. EMS). * Incident assembly of the available resources necessary for the recovery. * Local agency coordination with other private bodies. * Requests for mutual aid from other bodies. * Identification of requirement * Exceeding local capabilities The State * Request for federal assistance * Request for mutual assistance * Help to supplement local efforts * Governors' unique authority to * Issue State Emergency Declaration * Mobilize state National Guard * Redirect State resources * Coordination among state agencies The consequences of any terrorist attacks, for instance, a radiological kind of attack has got a potential to overwhelm local resources, which may demand for assistance from the State or federal government. The kind of response provided by the state and local government to any acts of terrorism or even that which is offered by the federal government will differ from other technological and natural emergencies. Since they not ...