[ RadSafe ] " Homeland Security Chief Sees Nuclear Forensic Office as Attack Deterrent "

[MikeNukeEP at aol.com]

Millions for prevention; pennies for consequence management. Homeland 
Security still doesn't get it.   No one would argue that preventing radiological 
terrorism is a desirable objective, but since 9/11 a disproportionate amount of 
money and emphasis has been put on elaborate but only marginally effective 
intelligence networks, catching the bad guys, and intercepting the hazardous 
material.   Meanwhile, little or no effort has been made to ensure that the nation's 
"first responders" are adequately trained and equipped to address the 
immediate consequences of a radiological incident.   I'm sure law enforcement is 
pleased that Homeland Security will be able to identify the source of the 
radiological component and quickly target the perpetrators.   But who's looking at how 
the victims will be handled?   The injuries and/or exposures sustained by 
dozens, hundreds, or even more people will need to be addressed by largely 
untrained and ill-equipped medical service providers; contaminated environments will 
need to be evaluated and remediated; and the economic affects will be 
devastating.   These activities will not be conducted by the police and fire agencies 
that are focused on prevention strategies.   No plan or process is perfect, 
and   DHS needs to recognize that detection and prevention is laudable if it 
works, but consequence management capabilities at the state and local level 
become paramont when prevention fails. So far there's little indication that DHS 
accepts that reality. Remember Katrina!
Mike Sinclair, Graystone Radiologiucal Emergency Management



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