Mass terror attacks go under conference spotlight

The challenge of dealing with large scale terrorist attacks and other major disasters will be put under the spotlight at an international conference in Belfast, it was announced today.

Speakers from the United States, Canada and Australia will join experts from the UK and Ireland at the Emergency Planning Society’s annual conference next month.

The EPS, which has 400 members throughout the UK and Ireland, draws together skilled personnel with emergency planning roles in local government, health and social services and police and fire services.

Harry Whan, chairman of the Northern Ireland branch of the EPS, said Northern Ireland had much to teach the world about putting in place plans for national emergencies.

“We have had experience of terrorism throughout what was called the troubles. Things have moved on within Northern Ireland, but since the likes of 9/11 the threats to the world have actually changed.”

Among the local speakers at the three day conference (June 21-23) will be Dr Marion Gibson, who has worked with victims in Northern Ireland, including survivors of the Omagh Bomb.

Mr Whan said: “Dr Gibson will be sharing not only some of her experience in the local response but also responses she has made herself in teams that have dealt with victims in international incidents.”

One of the main international speakers will be Edward Jacoby Jr, chief executive of the New York State Emergency Management Office.

Mr Jacoby, who co-ordinated the state response to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Centre, will deliver a talk on last August’s no warning blackout which left 50 million people without electricity.

Another key speaker from the US is Dale Downey, Weapons of Mass Destruction team leader of the US Disaster Mortuary Operational Response team, who will present a talk called “Mass Fatalities”.