Catastrophic Incident 1
Catastrophic Incident 1 : "Any natural or manmade incident, including terrorism, which results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage,, or disruption severely affecting the population, infrastructure, environment, economy, and national morale and/or government functions. A catastrophic event could result in sustained national impacts over a prolonged period of time; almost immediately exceeds resources normally available to State, local, tribal, and private sector authorities; and significantly interrupts governmental operations and emergency services to such an extent that national security could be threatened. All catastrophic incidents are considered Incidents of National Significance". (DHS 2004, x) According to DHS National Response Plan: "A catastrophic incident results in large numbers of casualties and/or displaced persons; The incident may cause significant disruption of the area's critical infrastructure, including transportation, telecommunications, and public health and medical systems; Response activities may have to begin without the benefit of a detailed or complete situation and needs assessment because a detailed, credible operating picture may not be possible for 24 to 48 hours of longer after the incident; The federal government may have to mobilize and deploy assets before local and state governments request them via normal protocols because timely federal support may be necessary to save lives, prevent suffering, and mitigate severe damage; and, Large numbers of people may be left temporarily or permanently homeless and require temporary or longer-term interim housing". (DHS NRP 2004, at CAT-3)
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