SECURITY MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE
March 2002
USA
BOOK REVIEWS
Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook.
By Frederick R. Sidell, William C. Patrick, III, and Thomas R. Dashiell; published by Jane's Information Group, 703/683-3700 (phone), 703/836-0029 (fax); 298 pages; $50.
In today's "War on Terrorism" and focus on homeland security, a handbook describing chemical and biological agents that can be used for antiterrorist purposes could not be more timely or appropriate. While this book was published in 1999, it has received renewed attention since September 11, and its information is just as valid for 2002 as it was when the book was first released.
Three expert authors have combined to provide blocks of crucial information in this easy-to-use handbook. The manual is written in clear language, largely omitting obscure terms. The style facilitates learning.
The authors tell readers how to recognize and deal with biological and chemical agents in a broad range of categories that might be found at the scene of an incident. The handbook is small and fits easily into a coat or trouser pocket, making access easy for security officers and staff. The manual is tabbed clearly in great detail: it is easy to quickly refer to its categories for on-scene procedures, effects, and treatment, and to search by kinds and categories of agents. A detailed index, used in combination with the tabs, enhances the user's quick information retrieval.
Attacks by terrorists with biochemical agents have now been shown to be feasible. This handbook should be carried and studied by every security person during these days of heightened concern.
Read the review online.
Reviewer: Clifford E. Simonsen, Ph.D., CPP, is the president and CEO of Criminology
Consultants International, Inc. (CCI), Camano Island, Washington. Dr. Simonsen
provides expert testimony for clients and attorneys representing parties
in civil litigation in regard to security, loss prevention, and correctional
issues. He is a member of ASIS.
Emergency Services Times
April/May 2003
(c. 4,800, UK)
Jane’s Chem-Bio Handbook
Rather than simply providing a list of ‘do’s and ‘don’t’s,
the Jane’s Chem-Bio Handbook
attempts to provide a consolidated repository of risk management considerations
and principles, in context and in a form that is useable by first responders
as well as those working at a more strategic level.
For instance, the handbook makes a clear distinction between the likely effects
and consequences of a chemical release and a biological release and sets out
why these different threats cannot be managed effectively within a ‘one
plan fits all’ mentality.
While much of the well presented reference material in the handbook has its
origins in
work undertaken in the United States – where, after all, government led
first responder training has been underway for over five years – the
revised format of the 2002 second edition is well suited for use by open minded
readers in the United Kingdom.
The information contained in the handbook is potentially of immense benefit to
the first
responder community but it addresses the subject in such a way as to appeal
to a much wider
readership. Local authorities, professional risk managers, as well as those
with a less well
defined role in preparing for a chemical or biological incident, could all
benefit from exposure to the Jane’s Chem-bio Handbook.
Indeed, as was noted in the Leader column of the January/February edition of
Emergency
Services Times, it is the clear understanding of principles, rather than adherence
to dogma
that will “…help responders deal more effectively with deliberate
releases of dangerous
material.”
CHEM-BIO HANDBOOK
THE NEW YORK TIMES
New York, NY, USA
Print Circulation: 1.1 million
8 March 1998
WORD FOR WORD/JANE’S FIGHTING GERMS
THE GRIM DO’S AND DEADLY DON’TS OF HANDLING CHEMICAL ATTACKS
Military buffs know all about Jane's Fighting Ships and Jane's All the World's
Aircraft . . . in a sign of the times, Jane's Information Group has published
Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook, a pocket guide for military, police and emergency
personnel responding to suspected or real chemical or germ attacks. It comes
on the heels of a more specialized tome, Jane's U.S. Chemical-Biological Defense
Guidebook. (Jane, by the way, was Fred T. Jane, who began publishing naval
reference books 100 years ago in Britain.) The handbook describes chemical
and biological agents and how they can be delivered (though it's not intended
as a manual for terrorists). It even lists the sorts of decontamination supplies
you can pick up at your local K-Mart.—Tom Kuntz,
(This review refers to the first edition of this title.)
NJ COPS: New Jersey’s Law Enforcement Journal
USA
December 1998
BOOK REVIEW: JANE’S CHEM-BIO HANDBOOK
Jane's Information Group is one of the most respected and well-known private
intelligence gathering organizations in the world. Its primary focus is on
defense, aerospace, and transportation information. It is responsible for many
highly regarded publications such as Jane's Defence Weekly, Jane's Fighting
Ships, and Jane's All the World's Aircraft. World-class teams of experts in
various fields write all of the books and magazines, and all of the group's
products that I have seen are superior. That is why my interest was piqued
when I recently received a copy of the new JANE'S CHEM-BIO HANDBOOK. This book,
(which at 6" by 4" truly
is a hand book) contains pertinent information on one of the most high-profile
and disturbing threats we face today--terrorist or criminal attacks employing
chemical and/or biological weapons.
Neatly divided into eight sections, the JANE'S CHEM-BIO HANDBOOK provides instant
access to information which will assist first responders in identifying the
particular agent that they are dealing with, as well as procedural check-lists
that can be followed once the agents are identified. Each section is well-formatted
and easily read, and each contains a wealth of information on a minimum of
pages. Tabbed index pages that allow for fast access to the information being
sought separate all of the chapters. This is an excellent idea, especially
when you consider the conditions under which the handbook is intended to be
used. As recent events have unfortunately shown, books and equipment addressing
the horrible realities of a chemical or biological attack against civilian
populations no longer remain in the "nice-to-have," or even the "need-to-have" gear
column for emergency services personnel. Rather, they are now definitely on the "must-have" list,
and for my money, Jane's CHEM-BIO HANDBOOK belongs at, or very near the top
of the list.
TESTIMONIALS
TWO CHEM-BIO HANDBOOK TESTIMONIALS (not from published articles):
“The Public Safety community of police, fire, EMS, Haz-Mat and hospital
providers now have a whole new problem to deal with that has its own rules of
engagement. There is still much training to be conducted and much equipment to
be obtained before we are truly prepared to deal with this threat. We cannot
afford for any of our first responders to be the 'blue canaries' in an NBC attack.
Remember that those first responders will probably have no equipment to protect
themselves with. Therefore, their ability to recognize what has occurred may
determine whether they and others following them survive.
One tool which may help is the new Chem-Bio Handbook published by Jane's. It
is designed for use by first responders and is small enough to be carried in
your gear bag or in the pocket of your utilities. If you purchase this handbook
in bulk for your department, Jane's will make a customized cover for your agency
with your logo and agency officials listed on the cover. Since there is so
much material to be aware of in this area and since we have so little hands-on
experience in dealing with this threat, I feel that this handbook can help
first responders focus on information and tasks during a crisis.–Federal Protective
Services Division Training Section, US General Services Administration
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"I recently purchased a copy of the Jane's Chem-Bio
Handbook and found it
to be quite useful in my capacity in state government and with the US Air Force
Reserves. I recently attended a response to terrorism 3-day workshop. All participants
were given a copy. I now have twice the access to the information. One copy is
now packed in my tactical-medical bag. I recommend the book as a MUST-have reference."–EMS
Investigator, Missouri Department of Health