Contingency planning: emergency preparedness for terrorist attacks

Abstract

The terrorist attack is one type of emergency caused by humans. This emergency is rare, but can cause catastrophic effects. In the aftermath of 9-11, it is proprietary security personnel's responsibility to help every employee get back to "business as normal" while at the same time, being prepared for possible terrorist attacks. An up-to-date contingency plan is expected to help security managers to fulfill this role. Security managers should reassess or develop the contingency plan by using the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) guidebook. They are encouraged to adopt the Homeland Security Advisory System, or alternatively to develop a simple color-coded system, to response the threats of terrorist attack in stages. They are suggested to consider three factors-top executive's commitment, adequate trainings, and coordination with public agencies-in the planning.