Editor’s Note: Terrorism Preparedness—A Role for Everyone

In any emergency preparedness role, terrorism and violent extremism can no longer be considered someone else’s problem. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, demonstrated the nationwide impact such attacks can have when they occur on domestic soil. Situational awareness and recognizing suspicious activity that could be precursors for an attack are everyone’s responsibility.

Terrorism preparedness begins with understanding the terminology. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines terrorism as “violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups: (international) who are inspired by, or associated with, designated foreign terrorist organizations or nations (state-sponsored)”; or (domestic) “to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature.” The FBI uses the term “violent extremism” in its terrorism threat categories—although violent actions are illegal, U.S. law does not prohibit the underlying ideology and advocacy of those beliefs.

Identifying potential threats early is critical, as violent extremists could be spurred to act in response to domestic sociopolitical developments or events occurring elsewhere in the world. Victims of mass violence attacks often include innocent civilians and emergency responders, who are there to protect them. Large-scale events, like the World Cup, raise additional security concerns due to their global attention, and critical infrastructure attacks can have widespread consequences. However, even county fairs, parades, houses of worship, and other local venues and events must consider these risks and threats.

Countering terrorist and extremist threats requires comprehensive preparedness strategies, effective intelligence sharing, and strong partnerships. This August edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal highlights the evolving threat landscape, threat detection strategies, and new ways of managing terrorism risks and threats. In addition, the Domestic Preparedness website has hundreds of searchable articles that can be used as resources for planning at all levels for future acts of terrorism or violent extremism.