Title: 2012 Olympic Games - terrorist CBRE threat estimate and medical response

Authors: Ioannis Galatas

Addresses: 233 Messogion Avenue, Neo Psychiko 15451, Athens, Greece

Abstract: 2012 is the year of the Olympic Games that will be held in London, UK. This mega sport event is a terrorist challenge especially now that Osama bin Laden is dead and his successor is struggling to regain 'face' amongst Islamic extremists opposing West. New emerging threats such as CBRE agents' release in urban/megapolis environment must be taken seriously and state response must be fortified against this visible possibility. Medical/hospital CBRE defence and preparedness is of mandatory importance because medical consequences might last for months or years. A terrorist CBRE threat estimate is provided and an analysis of hospital preparedness is provided in order to assist first responders perform in a most effective way in order to minimise casualties and consequences. Following Japan's triple catastrophe nobody has the right to consider CBRN release as science fiction. It might happen to us as well! Tomorrow!

Keywords: 2012 Olympic Games; terrorist threat; CBRNE attacks; CBRN attacks; hospitals; medical response; urban environment; megapolis environment; London Olympics; emergency management; emergency preparedness; hospital preparedness; healthcare preparedness; chemical; biological; radiological; nuclear; improvised explosives; emergency response.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2012.047526

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2012 Vol.8 No.3, pp.228 - 244

Received: 14 Jan 2012
Accepted: 15 Feb 2012
Published online: 26 Jun 2012 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article