Threats and Threat Assessment

Events which have taken place around the world since 2000 have made us keenly aware of the threat posed by terrorist organizations operating worldwide. While no major terrorist event involving CBRN agents has occurred to date within the United States, attacks such as the Sarin attack in the Tokyo subway, offer confirmation that these groups can and will use deadly force to make their political statements. While our government and other governments around the world have taken an aggressive approach to protect the world's citizens from these acts, these initiatives can lead to a false sense of security and even complacency. Everyday, our buildings and their occupants, including our embassies and commercial headquarters in the United States and abroad, are at risk from intentional terrorist acts perpetrated as well as from unintentional accidents.

Even more compelling is the fact that the perpetrators of these acts may well utilize toxic industrial chemicals (TIC) which are relatively inexpensive and readily available. What's more, the risk is enhanced by the widespread use of TICs throughout the country at factories, refineries, and research facilities and the fact that they are regularly transported via road and rail through densely populated areas, significantly increases the risk of the accidents and spills resulting in the release of airborne hazards. While not commonplace, accidents such as the meltdown at the Chernobyl Nuclear facility or the accidental release of deadly chemicals from a chemical plant in Baupau, India can occur. Assessing the potential threat from and protection against these types of occurrences is growing more important each day.

While governments around the world are making strides to protect individuals and property from these threats, it is becoming obvious that the private sector must take the initiative and protect buildings and the individuals occupying them. The first and a very important step in developing an effective defense against these potential disasters is through a proper evaluation of the threats and an assessment of the vulnerability of individual buildings and structures.