"Dirty bomb" attack
Subtitle: assessing New York City's level of preparedness from a first responder's perspective
By: John Sudnik
Contributors: Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 2006
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Subjects: Dirty bombs; Nuclear terrorism; Prevention
Description: Past history and recent intelligence have shown that New York City (NYC), a critical node of the U.S. economy, is  clearly in the terrorist's crosshairs. In order to reduce the probability, lessen the risk, and minimize the consequences of a  Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD), or "dirty bomb," attack, NYC's first responders must be adequately prepared for its  seemingly inevitable occurrence. This particular type of attack on NYC has the potential to create immense panic and  confusion on behalf of the general public. Adding to the complexity of the problem is the notion that, since 9/11, the expected  actions taken by employees in NYC high-rise office buildings in response to shelter-in-place instructions can be extremely  difficult to predict. Therefore, a proposed public awareness campaign and a shelter-in-place plan are two cost-effective and  easily implemented terrorism preparedness programs that would build the confidence and increase the capability of the  citizenry. Since an RDD incident would likely result in a major inter-agency emergency operation, the unification of command,  control, and coordination among NYC's first responder community is an essential element to its overall success. Hence, an  informed and collaborative response by both public and private sector entities could potentially reduce casualties and save  lives.
Notes: Title from title screen (viewed June 22, 2006).

Thesis Advisor(s): Christopher Bellavita.

"March 2006."

Thesis (M.A. in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2006.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-97).

"Approved for public release, distribution unlimited"--Cover.

Also available in print.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.