The catastrophic attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City shocked the nation into the reality that there are no domestic safe havens from acts of terrorism. A terrorist acting alone or in concert with any of the known national or international groups could readily commit acts of terrorism anywhere in the country.
Terrorist incidents create a unique emergency response environment.
Planning to meet the terrorist threat presents special challenges at every level of government. There are distinct legal authorities that significantly impact how either the threat or occurrence of acts of terrorism are managed. In addition, there are special organizational structures that come into play only in terrorist incidents, specialized resources that may be required, supported and managed, as well as special risks to first responders and local public health and safety officials and the general public. This effort includes interviews with State agencies, local government, and Federal agencies aimed at identifying the needs of West Virginia. In addition to developing the Annex for the State EOP, EQE will develop a model counter-terrorism consequence management annex for West Virginia local governments to adopt as part of their EOPs.