The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently released FEMA 452-Risk Assessment: A How-To Guide to Mitigate Potential Terrorist Attacks. The report provides objective instructions on ways to identify the critical assets and function within buildings, determine the threats to those assets, and assess vulnerabilities associated with those threats. The information assists users in determining mitigation measures and presents methods with the goal of doing the following:Reducing physical damage to structural and non-structural components of buildings and related infrastructure.Reducing resultant casualties during conventional bomb attacks.Reducing injuries and fatalities during attacks involving chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) agents.The five-step risk assessment process is supported by an easy-to-use Risk Assessment Database, which functions to import and display digital photos, emergency plans, digital floorplans, and certain GIS products.This report was developed in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies, and can be downloaded (along with the Risk Assessment Database) by visiting the FEMAwebsite (www.fema.gov/fima/rmsp452.shtm).
