Based on the Read items thus far, how do you think WMD fits into the overall risk analysis and protection process? How does WMD (CBRNE) complicate things if it does? Pick one WMD/CBRNE threat and discuss it from an analysis point of view as well as a risk/threat reduction strategy/mitigation viewpoint.

 

 

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The global proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) presents a clear and present danger to global health security (Reynolds, 2019). Unlike conventional weapons that confine themselves to a defined and targeted area, WMD's cross international boundaries and borders (Reynolds, 2019). WMD is an important factor to consider when assessing risk and protecting against potential threats. WMDs can have a catastrophic effect on populations, economies and environments, making it necessary to identify and mitigate the risks associated with them. Risk analysis and protection processes can be used to identify threats, assess risks associated with WMDs. The assessment of these risks can be complex (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, 2023). It is derived from the existence pf a hazard, and it is characterized by the uncertainty of possible undesirable events and their outcomes (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, 2023). Risk analysis and protection processes as it applies to any mass casualty disaster and is useful; framework to describe preparation and response for WMD attacks (Reed-Schrader et al. 2023). There are many components that can be taken into consideration which is detection, incident command, scene security, assess hazards, support, triage/treatment and evacuation (Reed-Schrader et al. 2023). In detection, risk analysis and protection processes can be used to recognize the situations that can overwhelm the available resources that can be used to identify WMD attacks (Reed-Schrader, 2023). The next concept is incident command can be used to provide the flexibility of response, and increase the availability of resources that can be used to prevent or identify WMD attacks (Reed-Schrader, 2023). The next concept is scene security. Scene security can be used to assess scene safety in order to determine whether are not personal protective equipment (PPE) as necessary (Reed-Schrader et al. 2023). The next concept is assess hazards. Assess hazards makes other potential threats that pertain to the WMD attacks such as secondary devices, radiological or chemical agents (Reed-Schrader, 2023). The next concept is support. In support, initial responders may be tasked with the first needs assessment with regards to hospital readiness, additional emergency medical services, medical direction and; logistic support (Reed-Schrader et al. 2023). When it comes to triage/treatment, the risk analysis and protective processes to initiate medical triage with a standard protocol (Reed-Schrader et al. 2023). Evacuation is a complex process requiring evacuation from the scene, coordination of resources and potentially gross decontamination prior to leaving the scene (Reed-Schrader et al. 2023). Once the risks associated with WMDs have been identified, strategies must be developed to mitigate or eliminate those risks. This may be involve developing and implementing policies and procedures to prevent the acquisition, production and use of WMDs. It may also involve developing international agreements and treaties that can be used to limit the distribution of WMDs, establishing national and international strategies to help monitor and enforce compliance with such agreements.

     WMD and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) can complicate things because they are materials are some of the most dangerous and destructive agents known to human kind. WMD and CBRNE can weaken many populations, environments and economies if they are released into the public domain. One of the primary complications that may occur when responding to WMD or CBRNE incident is the extreme danger that are posed to these types of materials. WMD and CBRNE can also complicate the response efforts that requires specialized knowledge and expertise to properly handle, identify and contain. The consequences of WMD and CBRNE can last over a long period of time and the effects of these materials can last for years, even after the risks have been addressed. This can cause WMD and CBRNE incidents economic and environmental damage that can take many years to repair and responders must take a very long-term view term addressing these types of materials.

     Radiological Dispersal Devices (RDD) is WMD.CBRNE threat that can be discuss it from an analysis point of view and a risk/threat reduction strategy/mitigation viewpoint. RDDs are also known as "dirty bombs," and are improvised explosives that are designed to disperse radioactive material ober a wide area, leading to the significant consequences to the environment and public health (Oboo et al. 2024). These devices do not use nuclear reactions to create an explosion but instead use conventional explosives to disperse radioactive material (Oboo et al. 2024). In the aspect of analysis point of view, the use of RRD as a WMD or consequence of CBRNE incident is an increasing concern for many countries. RDD is a unique and complicated threat which has a number of factors that needs to be taken into consideration when identifying and assessing this threat that contains radiological material that has a large impact on the severity of many effects. With this range of material, the risk analysis can help determine the number of people that are exposed and the extent of contamination.  As for risk and threat reduction, there is a comprehensive approach is needed to involve both short-term and long-term strategies. In the short-term, it is vital to have a robust response plan to help control prevent incidents that involve RDD. This approach helps responders to quickly detect, identify and contain materials that contain RRD. There are also evacuation plans that can be designed to make sure people are removed from affected areas and remain safe. As for long-term, it mainly focuses on preventing RDD incidents. The long-term takes into consideration the identification and better detection that is developed to produce innovative technology and security measures and regulations to make people aware of RRD incidents to help ensure that people and personal are equipped with the knowledge and resources to respond to RRD incidents. Just like other WMDs and CBRNEs, RDDs will continue to be a growing concern. Risk analysis and protection processes need to be taken into consideration to create effective risk and threat reduction strategies the require comprehensive approaches that involve response plans, improved detection and necessary resources to help eliminate,  limit or recover from risks that iinvolve WMD and CBRNE incidents. 

 

References

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (2023). Risk Analysis Methods for Nuclear War and Nuclear Terrorism. National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/26609Links to an external site..

Oboo, M., Nyatak, V. B., Bulelwa, N. & Kim, J. (2024). Consequence assessment of hypothetical urban radiological dispersal device incident in Korea. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenrad.2023.107332.

Reed-Schrader, E., Hayoun, M. A. & Kropp, A. M. (2023).  Weapons of mass destruction and related injury. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.gov/books/NBK441954/.

Reynolds, C. (2019). Global health security and weapons of mass destruction. Global Health Security: Recognizing Vulnerabilities, Creating Opportunities. 187-207. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23491-1_9.