Winning Plays: Essential Guidance From the Terrorism Line of Scrimmage

Introduction

This paper provides recommendations for the “play book” used by policy makers and emergency preparedness practitioners in assembling the elements necessary to effectively plan for and respond to terrorist actions by developing critical relationships, building systems, and setting training and funding priorities. It is not intended to be a model plan but to offer practical guidance, based on our expertise, for planning effectively, spending wisely, and making our nation safer. This document is divided into sections by subject matter, with a brief overview for that particular section followed by a series of recommendations.

The athletic field provides many useful analogies for emergency planning and response. Winning teams practice various “plays,” develop and rehearse “game plans” before game day, and do extensive research about their opponents. Legendary Coach John Wooden’s somber reminder that, “failure to prepare is preparing to fail” applies to the daunting challenge of preparing for terrorist attacks. Terrorist opponents have an almost limitless arsenal of plays, techniques, and players to use in the contest, some even willing to sacrifice themselves in the process. Because terrorists strike without particular warning, and because our nation is so geographically large, with a myriad of appealing targets, we remain vulnerable to attack. When we are attacked, our “game day,” the response must be immediate, competent, coordinated, sustainable, and effective if we are to prevent or minimize the loss of life and property that can result.

Unlike more conventional emergencies where there is often opportunity to consider options, terrorism response decisions must be executed very quickly to prevent additional harm. We must develop, practice, and refine our “plays” before they are needed. We must know our own strengths and weaknesses, and appreciate those of our opponents. We must develop core capabilities, skills, and knowledge. We must learn from past contests, but must remain mindful that the opponent in the next contest will probably execute different plays, using different techniques.

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