The purpose
of a risk assessment plan is that of identifying, assessing risks, developing
and evaluating potential strategies to mitigate those risks, and finally
implementing procedures to protect from the harm that potential threats pose to
a population. By utilizing historic
disasters, current science and research, as well as past occurrences of natural
and human-caused hazards, the state of New Jersey has defined a strategy to
provide direction and guidance when researching vulnerabilities and implementing
any current and/or future mitigation projects (NJ Office of Emergency
Management, 2006).
The
New Jersey terrorism risk assessment portion of the 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan
did an excellent job in addressing a full gamut of possible threats. While this plan did seem to focus more on
explaining the possible threats and the risks that they pose to the state of
New Jersey, it did not seem to have many actual mitigation strategies in place
to deal with the threats. The plan could
have covered this area more fully (State of New Jersey 2014 Hazard Mitigation
Plan, 2014).
Vulnerability
assessments were lacking in breadth and depth; the report simply stated that
the entire population was at risk and that the areas with the greatest danger
of exposure were those which housed the most people in one area at the same
time. Vulnerabilities which could cause
the greatest impact on the area's infrastructure and the well-being of the
populace as well as the consequence of an attack on these areas were
identified. However, once again, there
are no strategies with which to address these vulnerabilities established
(State of New Jersey 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2014).
Using
historical records, the state of New Jersey identified 30 terrorism events
within the state and surrounding areas between May 13, 1905 and May 1,
2010. However, FEMA only identified a
single event - 09/11/2001 within the timeframe of 1954 - 2012. This discrepancy may skew probability
calculations and could create a false sense of security among the citizens and
government agencies residing in New Jersey (State of New Jersey 2014 Hazard
Mitigation Plan, 2014).
With
the state bordering on the Atlantic Ocean, one risk that has been overlooked, comes
from the sea. This is one area which is
lacking in this report. Further research
regarding this potential threat is recommended.
The New Jersey Hazard Mitigation plan also does not talk fully about
strategies with which risks can be implemented or monitored (State of New
Jersey 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2014).
The
Department of Homeland Security established a series of publications with which
to offer information and analysis throughout the Department towards the
implementation of homeland security risk management and strengthen the
Department's abilities to address homeland security risks and implement risk
management methods and practices. Risk
Management Fundamentals is the first publication in a series which will do
this. The intentions of this issuance
are to promote common understanding and approach to risk management; establish
common training and application of risk management and support a common
foundation and risk management philosophy and cultures within the Department of
Homeland Security. Ultimately, the
concepts within Risk Management Fundamentals will be a useful guide for all
Federal, state and local agencies (Homeland Security, April 2011).
The
National Terrorism Advisory System has been put into place to provide
information about potential threats to the public. By utilizing different
threat levels, it can provide specific information to assist individuals and
communities in protecting themselves.
Alerts can be posted online or sent out to the news media to reach the
most people possible (State of New Jersey 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2014).
The
State of New Jersey, in 2011, received National Emergency Management
Accreditation for its standards for disaster preparedness and response
systems. The Emergency Accreditation
Program is an accreditation process which coordinates disaster preparedness and
response activities for both natural and man-made disasters. This program recognizes the abilities of
emergency management programs in the areas of planning, training, exercises,
and evaluations as well as communications and warnings (NJ Office of Emergency
Management, 2011).
The
consequence assessment of this report was extremely thorough and well laid out.
Each threat is highlighted and its
effects on the population and critical infrastructure has been presented. The assessment is simple enough for anyone to
read, follow and assimilate, should the need ever arise (State of New Jersey
2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2014).
After
analyzing and assessing the New Jersey Hazard Mitigation Plan of 2014, one can
come to the conclusion that the State of New Jersey is indeed prepared for
almost any disaster. While any disaster
can have unpredictable results, most - if not all - potential hazards have been
accounted and planned for (State of New Jersey 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan,
2014).
References
Homeland
Security. (April 2011). Risk Management Fundamentals. Homeland Security Risk
Management Doctrine. Retrieved from http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/rma-risk-management-fundamentals.pdf
NJ
Office of Emergency Management. (2006). NJOEM Programs. State of New Jersey
2014 State Hazard Mitigation Plan. Retrieved from http://ready.nj.gov/programs/mitigation_plan2014.html
NJ
Office of Emergency Management. (2011). New Jersey Achieves National Emergency
Management Accreditation. Retrieved from http://www.state.nj.us/njoem/media/pr121511.html
State
of New Jersey 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan. (2014). Section 5: Risk Assessment.
5.23 Terrorism. Retrieved from http://ready.nj.gov/programs/pdf/mitigation2014b/mit2014_section5-23.pdf
