Counterterrorist Exercises by Lead Agency Counterterrorist Exercises Participation and Leadership by Agency 34 Department of Defense Counterterrorist Exercises U.S. Secret Service Counterterrorist Exercises Federal Bureau of Investigation Counterterrorist Exercises Federal Emergency Management Agency Counterterrorist Exercises 42 Department of Health and Human Services Counterterrorist Exercises 44 Environmental Protection Agency Counterterrorist Exercises Department of Energy Counterterrorist Exercises Department of State Counterterrorist Exercises Department of Veterans Affairs Counterterrorist Exercises Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Counterterrorist Exercises 54 59 Briefing Section I Background GAO Policy and Strategy on Combating Terrorism • Presidential directives establish policy and strategy. • Strategy includes prevention, crisis management, and consequence Priority is to prevent and respond to Background In 1986, the President formalized U.S. policy to combat terrorism by signing National Security Decision Directive 207, which primarily focused on terrorist incidents overseas. After the bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the President issued Presidential Decision Directive (PDD) 39 in June 1995, which enumerated responsibilities for federal agencies in combating terrorism, including domestic incidents. In May 1998, the President issued PDD 62 that reaffirmed PDD 39 and further articulated responsibilities for specific agencies. Federal agencies drafted agency and interagency guidance to implement these directives. These PDDs divide activities to combat terrorism into three elements: preventing and deterring terrorism, responding to a terrorist crisis, and managing the consequences after a terrorist attack. Crisis management includes efforts to stop a terrorist attack, arrest terrorists, and gather evidence for criminal prosecution. Consequence management includes efforts to provide medical treatment and emergency services, evacuate people from dangerous areas, and restore government services. When terrorist attacks occur without adequate threat warning, crisis management and consequence management will be concurrent activities. One of the highest priorities in the federal government is to prevent and prepare for terrorist attacks that use weapons of mass destruction (WMD). These attacks include terrorist use of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons or agents to cause mass casualties. The President (via PDD 39 and PDD 62) and the Congress (via legislation and committee reports) have emphasized the importance of preparedness against this type of threat. 'Activities to prevent and deter terrorism were not included in the scope of this report. |
0 Reviews Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's identified Write review |