Imagine the unimaginable: as the nation goes on high alert for terrorist attack, FIRE argues that the public should be given more credit and that now is the time to give guidance in the event of a catastrophic terrorist attack - view

Thinking the unthinkable may have to become a habit. It is timely that we run the International Technical Rescue Institute's TAURUS (Terrorist Attacks--Urban Rescue in Underground Systems) report as news of the South Korea subway fire hit the headlines. Initial reports suggested at least 120 people had been killed in the Daegu inferno. Evidently not a terrorist attack, but it was a profound indicator of the impact a simple arson attack can have on an underground system.

The report on pg 16 sets out recommendations on scenario-based assessments, describing the primary concerns facing rescue teams following a terrorist attack, especially using a dirty bomb. If a bottle of flammable liquid can create such catastrophe, what price CBRN scenarios?

The main recommendations of the report, commissioned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, urge that public safety information is made available, and public safety drills become a necessity. While the Government struggles between trying to raise awareness and trying to avert panic, FIRE believes it is time the public were given more credit and given every opportunity to reduce risk, however marginal, in the event of a major attack.

While the draft Bill will provide "a structure for civil defence for the 21st century", according to a Cabinet Office spokesperson, and every indication suggests the work on the New Dimension is comprehensive as can be, the current dispute can no longer stall release of basic guidance.

The recent national disaster exercise with a jet crashing into a nuclear reactor at Bradwell-on-sea has alarmed emergency planning officers on the contingent for dealing with the widespread implications of such an attack. While it is obviously unwise to reveal detail of any aspect of counter-terrorism strategy, and many aspects of operational response, it is not beyond the ken of the public to take remedial action without creating mass panic.

One emergency planning officer told FIRE that contingency operations are inhibited by many in Government unable to "get their heads around" the enormity of the risks faced. Whatever credence this has should be tempered by the alacrity of the current climate. Disaster expert, Professor David Alexander, was succinct: "Emergencies and disasters are blipping on the Government's radar screen and something has to be done."

It is not too horrific to contemplate--the impact of weapons of mass destruction on densely populated urban areas--it has to become a habit of imagining the unimaginable.

At a recent Parliamentary seminar, see pg 22, one of the speakers pointed out that while the public would not want to see important buildings such as the Palace of Westminster turned into bomb-proof concrete blocks, buildings can be made safer through effective design and instillation. There will be catastrophic attacks on this country, that is widely accepted, if never tolerated, but that will not and should not radically alter our approach.

However, we can not wait for New Dimension work to be stalled in a bureaucratic back-log; let us see the findings, let us make the public aware of every risk and let us do everything we can to mitigate impact as these terrible events inevitably unfold.

Former Defence Secretary Michael Portillo warned: "When something happens, and I do say when, not if, people will look back and say `my goodness, there was a threat and we didn't do anything about it'."

We do understand that the information has to be precise and not provocative, but we also understand that the right information is there, can be promulgated, and should be at the earliest opportunity.

As the report asserts: `There must be no cause for panic, but the public need to have a clear understanding of the posed threats to them to ensure that they know how to help themselves and others by remaining calm ... new common emergency procedures need to be compiled and made available to the public and included within a new Government pamphlet'.

Practical, clear guidance, without fuss, without panic; people are concerned, not alarmed, and they deserve support before and after the event.

As the report concludes: `We may not be able to ever completely predict the total consequences of such an attack occurring, but with effort and foresight we might just be better prepared to reduce its impact when it finally arrives'.

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