Infrastructure Issues for Cities—Countering Terrorist Threat

Abstract

Americans awoke on September 11, 2001, to watch a life and death struggle, live and in color, in New York and Washington D.C. but also to a changed world. We were shocked to realize we are no longer safe within our borders. And then we learned our attackers had patiently developed and financed a careful plan that led to their attack. Today we Americans may wonder if we and our children are safe in our homes and schools. This paper explores some of the significant vulnerabilities inherent within the infrastructure systems that support our way of life. A number of near-term actions to improve protection, response, and recovery from terrorist attacks are identified. The attack of September 11 was clearly an act of war on our homeland. Our President has responded forcefully by declaring that we are at war on terrorism. This in effect is a call to arms for professionals in particular, to contribute our knowledge, skills, and energies to protecting our families and nation.