Preparedness against chemical and biological terrorism in Turkey and civilian-army collaboration

Abstract

In today's changing world, weapons of mass destruction become one of the most probable threats for states and also for civilian people. Especially after disintegration of U.S.S.R., terrorist groups and some terrorism-supporting countries have desired to get biological and chemical agents/weapons in order to get advantage against their enemies. Because of its geopolitical and geostrategic position, Turkey has been under this kind of threat. In order to provide sufficient response during a biological and/or chemical attack, Turkey has taken necessary measures. In Turkish armed forces, army, navy and air forces work in tight cooperation in terms of intelligence, warning and reporting, protection, evacuation and also medical countermeasures. All the activities are coordinated by Turkish general staff. Medical operations and counteractions are performed by Turkish Armed Forces Surgeon General under control of Turkish general staff. Gulhane Military Medical Academy has a key role in terms of education of all military medical staff, getting military hospitals ready against chem-bio attacks and providing collaboration with civilian hospitals. On the other hand, whole counteractions against chem-bio threats are performed under control of premiership. Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Health, Turkish Armed Forces, Police Department, Ministry of Interior and Local Authority are the other important components of the entire defense system. In the case of any chem-bio attack, event management is performed by "Premiership Crisis Management Centre". © 2009 Springer Science + Business Media B.V.