NLC Publication prepares cities for terrorist attacks
Terrorist actions, such as the bombings of the World Trade Center in New York in 1994 and the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995, have driven home the fact that such attacks are no longer simply a problem in distant foreign places. A new publication from the National League of Cities is designed to help local officials know how to plan for and respond to the grim consequences of a terrorist event.
Domestic Terrorism: Resources for Local Government is a 40-page guide to resources and services from government agencies such as FEMA, the Department of Defense, the Justice Department and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Every community in America, be it large or small, is susceptible to terrorist attacks, says NLC Executive Director Donald Borut. Knowing what to do and who to turn to in the first critical moments after an attack can be the difference between life and death for victims. And knowing how to prepare for these horrible events may also help to avert them.
The book explains the types of assistance provided by various federal agencies, as well as information regarding terrorist threats and biological and chemical attacks. It includes several examples of what cities have done in terrorist situations and how cities can benefit from training.
Copies of the book can be obtained from the NLC Publications Center, P.O. Box 491, Annapolis Junction MD 20701; phone, (888) 571-2929; fax, (301) 725-4299; e-mail, [email protected] The price is $10 ($5 for NLC members), plus shipping and handling.
