Citizens on the front line against terrorism

A key strategy against terrorists, who aim to confuse and confound the government and people, is termed “hard security”. National security and intelligence organisations are expanded and a security fortress is built around the country. It is an expensive exercise where billions are spent to defeat an enemy with inferior resources.

The terrorists responsible for the 9/11 attacks in the US are said to have spent about US$500,000. Compare this to the more than $1 trillion the Americans have spent on homeland security in the last 10 years or so. Despite these expenses, terrorists continue to inflict damage.

Another less expensive strategy is called “soft security”. It’s about living with security as a way of life. It’s the power of an individual, community and country to stand up to terrorists.

In his speech at the Boston inter-faith prayer service, American President Barack Obama referred to the human spirit that surges each time there is a calamity: “You will stand, walk and run again. ... Your resolve is the greatest rebuke to whoever committed this heinous act.”

The world saw the power of this soft security strategy after the bombs rocked Boston. The newspapers referred to those who rushed in to help as heroes. In security terms, they are known as “first responders”. They are the ones who swing into action, long before the authorities trained to handle terrorist attacks arrive at the scene.

The first responders’ swift response sends a message to terrorists that they cannot win their war against humanity.

Footage of the two explosions shows just how powerful first responders can be. Two seconds after the first bomb, runner Bill Iffrig, 78, fell. Four seconds later, a policeman was by his side. Twelve seconds later, the second bomb goes off, and by then the scene is crawling with policemen with guns drawn, volunteers, soldiers, doctors, nurses, ordinary people – pulling down barricades, clearing human traffic and reaching those who lay injured. Ambulance sirens can be heard only a minute after the first blast.

One report said these helpers cleared the sidewalk of the severely injured within 15 minutes.

The helpers improvised. Makeshift stretchers were made from parts of a display wall. When a doctor ran out of tourniquets, he swiped clothes off racks from shops lining the route.

It was only some three hours after the attack that President Obama addressed the nation, putting out the facts and reassuring that justice will prevail. By then, the country had plunged into a frantic hunt for the perpetrators of a senseless violent act that killed three and wounded more than 170.

In an uncertain world, no one can ever be fully prepared for an attack of this nature.

In Singapore, the home-front crisis management structure helps to bring together quickly resources from different government bodies to manage a disaster.

This structure was activated during the Nicoll Highway collapse and H1N1 outbreak.

Regular exercises also help to evaluate capabilities to deal with national crises.

There are also efforts to strengthen community bonding. One example in Singapore is the Community Engagement Programme, where grassroots, union and school leaders carry out security exercises to tackle a terrorist incident.

But the public needs to work harder on the important role it can play in soft security.

Three years ago, the Singapore police parked vehicles in nine locations around the island. Wires were sticking out from the undercarriage and smoke came out from the boot. Of the 7,200 people who walked past the vehicle between 8am and 7pm, only 260 – or 3.6 per cent – noticed that something was wrong.

More needs to be done to educate Singaporeans that living with the risk of bombs is something to be taken seriously.

Will there be enough first responders to help stabilise the scene? Will some at the scene help the injured, or will all flee the carnage?

Will citizens come together to cope and heal, or will there be quick finger-pointing at the authorities for not securing the nation’s safety?

When the first bomb goes off here, what will we do?