Safety

Tip of the month: Consider female attackers in your terrorism plans

Hospital Safety Connection, March 31, 2010

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Two female suicide bombers detonated themselves inside Moscow subway stations earlier this week, which should serve notice to hospital security directors and emergency management planners.

Safety professionals should review their hazard vulnerability analysis and terrorism plans to determine whether they anticipate female attackers, said James Blair, FACHE, president and CEO at the Center for Healthcare Emergency Readiness in Nashville.
 
“In the United States, we’re hung up on this [notion] that women would never do anything like that,” Blair said.
 
By broadening your review, you potentially double the amount of people to watch for, which will affect resources, he said. But in practical terms, the face of terrorism is changing as women and even children become involved in attacks.
 
“We’ve been very lucky here” not to deal with female suicide bombers yet, Blair said.
 

 



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