Threat & Risk Assessment for Statewide Domestic Preparedness
© 2004
By Gerry Adams
(206) 601-1749
Gerry Adams is a security consultant with over thirty years’ experience providing specialized security services. In December 2002, he completed the Department of Justice’s Threat and Risk Assessment Course so that he could apply his extensive experience conducting assessments that meet the requirements of the Statewide Domestic Preparedness Strategy.
In order to prepare for the greatest level of protection from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction a safety and security program that is realistic, comprehensive, and complete must be in place. To that end we can assist by helping assure a complete and effective risk, threat, and vulnerability assessment whether needed for jurisdictional planning or to complete a safety and security program.
Jurisdictional threat and risk assessment for weapons of mass destruction is a component of the every state’s domestic preparedness strategy. In Washington the agency responsible for developing a Statewide Domestic Preparedness Strategy is Emergency Management Division (EMD) of the State Military Department. An essential component of EMD’s role is to allocate equipment funds to local jurisdiction and state agencies.
We provide threat and risk assessments that qualify for submission to local jurisdictions so that adequate funding is identified in order to enhance emergency response plans. While local jurisdictions are responsible for coordinating these assessments, it is often the responsibility of businesses, schools, health facilities, public venues, and industry to evaluate their own holdings so that the local jurisdiction is fully aware of all needs.
Most local jurisdictions have sought to identify and assess all facilities at risk in their area. To that end many have conducted assessments of threats, risks, and needs. Their goal is to develop an implementation plan geared to providing adequate funding that will help protect all resources in their jurisdiction.
Vulnerability assessment is an important part of completing the jurisdiction’s overall plan. Assessing vulnerability of individual sites based on known threats and risks can be a challenging task. These assessments are often conducted with emphasis on sites with known, or obvious, risks. Do not assume that all risks are automatically known or obvious to others evaluating your site.
Many large corporations tend to avoid public assessments of their day-to-day operations. Identifying weaknesses in security of information, facilities, and other assets is not always easy for everyone to accept. Other organizations may not readily recognize their own vulnerability.
We can assist by participating in your assessment, security, and safety planning in a manner accepted by jurisdictions, EMD, and federal government.