Preparing for Terrorism: The Public Safety Communicator?s Guide

Today more than ever, communications center professionals who receive and/or dispatch emergency services can use a valuable resource like Preparing for Terrorism: The Public Safety Communicator's Guide. This book starts with an overview of national and international terrorism, while emphasis throughout the book is on how to prepare communications center staff and their families for a terrorist event by providing them with well-thought out employee emergency plans and contingencies. Issues involved in protecting the physical security of the building, communications towers, and back-up sites are examined. Solutions to communications problems, such as cellular and landline telephone overload situations, are addressed as well. The potential effect of a terrorist attack on operators worried about family and friends, as well as Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) procedures, is also discussed in detail. The result is a book that provides readers with a rare opportunity to look at terrorism preparedness from the point-of-view of the communications center, the first link to safety for 98% of the U.S. population now covered by 9-1-1 operators. As cellular phones become the norm, and terrorist events are relayed as they unfold, these emergency communication centers and the individuals who staff them will remain on the frontlines, working to coordinate the efforts of first responders, as well as the influx of local, state, and federal resources that follows any terrorist incident.

Communications center operators routinely take 911 and other calls from frightened people, and offer them strength and comfort while emergency crews respond, but a widespread or devastating attack could require special actions. Veterans of emergency services provide information that communications center staff members need to help prepare for, respond to, and recover from a terrorist event. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

George has been involved in the fire/rescue service and emergency management for more then 20 years. He is presently the Director/Professor at the University of South Florida's Center for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance and The Center for Biological Terrorism Defense. George was previously with St. Petersburg College as Director/Professor of the Institute of Emergency Administration and Fire Science, and the National Terrorism Preparedness Institute. George has served as a Fire Management Specialist with the United States Fire Administration in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Previously, he served more than fourteen years with Addison (Dallas County), Texas Fire Department in the Operations Division.

He is a Principal member of the Technical Committee for Emergency Management, NFPA 1600" and has been serving on the committee since 1992. He has spoken at many national and international conferences. George has also published many articles, manuscripts, white papers, etc., both nationally and internationally. George is also the author of Delmar's Preparing for Terrorism, an Emergency Services Guide, and soon to be released Preparing for Biological Terrorism, an Emergency Services Planning Guide.
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APCO Magazine Columist and Full-time 9-1-1 Public Educator, Pinellas County, FL

Former 9-1-1 Director, Pinellas County, FL