ER 212 - Terrorism: Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery

Credit Hours: 3

A study of the challenges confronting emergency managers after disasters, and the principles and concepts of disaster response and recovery operations. The different types of hazards and their interaction, and the consequences of disasters are discussed. It addresses the agencies and organizations participating in the response and recovery operations, including public servants, government departments, private, and non-profit organizations, and citizen volunteers. Two theoretical approaches to the management of disasters are identified, and the advantages and disadvantages of the traditional and the professional models are presented. In addition, these topics are covered in the response phase: hazard detection, warning, evacuation and sheltering, search and rescue, emergency medical care, fatality management, and stress counseling. In transitioning to the recovery phase, damage assessment, disaster declarations, and debris management are covered. The process of recovery and its relation to mitigation is investigated, and the types of disaster assistance and ways to reduce vulnerability are described. The decision making process in the areas of transportation, politics, special needs populations, communication, legal issues, and record keeping is explained.

Emphasis is placed in developing disaster resilient communities by underscoring the value of preparedness, improvisation, professionalism, and leadership in emergency management. A performance-based approach is utilized that allows the students to apply what they have learned at the SUNY Erie Multi-Scenario Simulator.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

define “terrorism;”
list and describe the types of Terrorist Incidents;
describe the safety factors to consider when approaching a crime scene involving terrorist activity;
explain the effects of chemical, biological, and radiological agents;
synthesize the factors influencing the appearance of terrorism;
compare and contrast the positive and negative impact of the media coverage;
assess the threats of terrorism;
predict the advantages of structural and non-structural mitigation;
describe the differences between domestic and international terrorism, and the characteristics of terrorist groups and /or individuals; and
select the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) required responding to any WMP or hazardous material incident.

F (C, S)