The bombing in Madrid last week should be a wake-up call to the American people to begin focusing on their own civil defense readiness. Recent surveys have shown that while an overwhelming majority of Americans expect terrorists to attack the United States in the near future, only about two in 10 have done anything to prepare for such an occurrence.
That disparity underscores the failure of the Bush administration's civil defense readiness campaign and raises questions about how well the public would react in the event of another terrorist attack.
Preparedness efforts by the Department of Homeland Security have centered on its year-old Ready.gov Web site and accompanying public service announcements. The site provides a great deal of helpful information on the wide range of possible terror threats. It recommends some basic things -- having supplies, equipment and plans -- that every American should do. Yet, as the polls indicate, those important instructions are being almost entirely ignored.
Even in New York City, the primary site of the Sept. 11 attacks, there's a trifurcated state of readiness. Some people have full evacuation plans and medicine kits, some have a week's worth of water and batteries in the closet, and the large majority haven't done anything.
That's because the government -- at the national and local levels -- has not provided enough guidance. President Bush has not spoken once to the public about civil defense. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has kept a low profile on public readiness matters ever since the ill-fated -- and much-parodied -- "duct tape" press conference when Ready.gov was launched. Few state and local elected officials have taken leadership roles.
The anemic preparedness numbers aren't surprising in light of the government's laissez-faire approach. Did officials think they could just put out information on such a sensitive and complex topic without much fanfare or any follow-up and then count on citizens to prepare themselves? It has given Americans the false idea that something that should be viewed as a societal responsibility is an a la carte option.
It's time for the government to start putting civil defense front and center. One high-profile way to jump-start the readiness efforts would be to begin limited civil defense drills for the public. This month the United States and Britain announced plans for a joint exercise to test the response of emergency personnel to a terrorist attack. Last May U.S. officials undertook large-scale bioterrorism drills in Seattle and Chicago to determine the ability of local, state and federal authorities to handle terrorist attacks. But they were solely for first responders. The public has not been included, and there are no plans to include it. That's a missed opportunity.
Mock drills would bring preparedness to the center of national consciousness and engage Americans in their nation's defense. Almost every school and business conducts regular fire drills. While perfunctory, they at least provide some awareness of what needs to be done when and if something happens. And ultimately, is there any downside to being more prepared?
Obviously, some emergency preparations have to be secret, but people should have at least an idea of what they'll need to do when and if an attack occurs. And while it's more important that emergency responders be well rehearsed, relief efforts will be only as strong as the weakest links.
There could be some government concern about panicking the public with scary scenarios. But most experts say that generally, more knowledge is better in reducing anxiety.
Readying the public for terrorism won't be easy. The government has to deal with a skeptical citizenry, some of whom equate civil defense with schoolchildren hiding from Russian ICBMs under their desks. Changing that mind-set requires well-organized, coherent and dramatic action. The Homeland Security Department has many pressing responsibilities, but it needs to do far better on civil defense.
Just before the Madrid bombing, CIA Director George Tenet again warned Congress about the possibility of more "spectacular attacks" against the United States. Before it's too late, the government should be drilling the public to prepare for them.
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