Examining Terrorism Attacks and Regional Preparedness in the United States
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2021 Examining Terrorism Attacks and Regional Preparedness in the United States Trebor Curtis Yocum Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Public Administration Commons, and the Public Policy Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Trebor Curtis Yocum has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review committee Dr. Mark Stallo, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Haroon Khan, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Anne Hacker, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2021 Abstract Examining Terrorism Attacks and Regional Preparedness in the United States by Trebor Curtis Yocum MBA, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2007 BS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2001 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Public Policy Walden University August 2021 Abstract After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. government renewed efforts to prepare for future attacks. Despite research on federal and state government preparedness, there was a lack of scholarship on trends in terrorist attacks at the local level. The purpose of this quantitative descriptive study was to examine trends in terrorism attacks in the United States between 2001 and 2018 and determine whether significance exists between characteristics of the terrorism incidents (weapon used, target type) and region. The conceptual framework included Grundmann’s risk management and Tomuzia et al.’s risk assessment scenario models. Answering the research questions entailed examining trends in terrorist attacks in the United States between 2001 and 2018 (number of incidents, injuries, fatalities), including relationships by region, weapon used, and target type. Secondary data from the Global Terrorism Database underwent analysis using ARIMA models for time-series data and chi-square and post hoc analyses for categorical level data. There was an examination of type of weapon used and target type for differences between regions. Findings revealed that trends in terrorist attacks for injuries did not differ across time; however, trends in terrorist attacks for fatalities decreased over time. Changes in terrorist attacks by region were significantly related to weapon used and target type. Findings may lead to positive social change by helping policymakers understand future targets and characteristics of terrorist attacks, potentially improving preparedness and thereby reducing injuries and death. Future research is needed to confirm and expand the findings, including studies on terrorist attacks against the United States on foreign soil, such as those directed at U.S. embassies. Examining Terrorism Attacks and Regional Preparedness in the United States by Trebor Curtis Yocum MBA, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2007 BS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2001 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Public Policy Walden University August 2021 Dedication I would like to dedicate the research to the men and women on the front lines of emergency management. It is our first responders who make this country safe and help to thwart disasters. Acknowledgments I would like to thank my family and friends for helping me get to this point in my life. I would like to especially acknowledge my grandparents, Russell and Shirley Yocum, for helping me out, both financially and mentally. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................5 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................6 Research Questions and Hypotheses .............................................................................6 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................8 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................10 Definitions....................................................................................................................11 Assumptions .................................................................................................................11 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................12 Limitations ...................................................................................................................12 Significance..................................................................................................................12 Summary ......................................................................................................................13 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................15 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................15 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................17 Review of the Literature ..............................................................................................19 The Rise in Terrorism ........................................................................................... 21 Understanding Terrorism in the United States...................................................... 22 i Differentiating Between Domestic and International Terrorism in the United States ............................................................................................. 23 History of Terrorism in the United States ............................................................. 24 Terrorism Preparedness in the United States ........................................................ 25 Terrorism Response in the United States .............................................................. 27 Types of Terrorist Attacks .................................................................................... 28 Bioterrorism .......................................................................................................... 30 The Threat of Bioterrorism in the United States ................................................... 31 General Preparedness for Bioterrorism Attacks ................................................... 38 Educating the Public ............................................................................................. 42 Education of the Health Care Community ............................................................ 44 Syndromic Surveillance ........................................................................................ 47 Biosecurity ............................................................................................................ 51 The Public Health and Military Nexus ................................................................. 53 Local Health and Bioterrorism Emergency Planning ........................................... 56 Impact of Local Capacity ...................................................................................... 62 Long-Term Impacts of Terrorism ......................................................................... 85 Summary ......................................................................................................................86 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................88 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................89 Population ............................................................................................................. 90 Instrumentation and Operationalization of Constructs ......................................... 91 ii Data Analysis Plan ................................................................................................ 93 Threats to Validity .......................................................................................................94