Civil disturbances

Develop, publish, and maintain supporting emergency plans in accordance with AMC guidance and the ARMCOM Civil Disturbance, Force Mobilization, War Emergency, and Disaster Control Plans... 

Lyons S studied the psychiatric sequelae of the Belfast riots, focusing on the period August 15-September 30, 1969. He concentrated on 257 patients from three general medical practices In the riot area of Vest Belfast and on patients referred to psychiatrists from these general practitioners. He concluded that during civil disturbances ... 

Ballantyne, B. 1977. Riot control agents. Biomedical and health aspects of the use of chemicals In civil disturbances. IN Scott, R.B., and Frazer, J., eds. Medical Annual 1977. Bristol, England John Wright. 1977. p. 7-41. 

Ballantyne, B. (1977a). Riot control agents - biomedical and health aspects of the use of chemicals in civil disturbances. In Medical Annual (R.B. Scott, J. Frazer, eds.), pp. 7-41. Wright and Sons, Bristol, UK. 

The casualty records of the late war and the united opinion of the medical profession and foremost toxicologists have. shown conclusively that chemicals are not only more humane than other w eapons, but that ciiemical combat is the one form of organiz4 d force tlmt can be regulated to bring about the subjection of an opponent with a miniinum of violence and injury. This is exemplified in the now widespread use of chemicals fur quelling civil disturbances. 

Full-Scale Civil Disturbances. In the control of full-scale riots (e.g., for politically motivated reasons) or clashes between rival groups (e.g., at sporting events, a variety of procedures may be used for dispersion and control purposes). These include truncheons, nightsticks, projectiles (e.g., bean bags, plastic bullets), water cannon, PCSIs dispersed as pyrotechnically generated smokes or in liquid spray devices. 

Psychological Ejfects. For the majority of persons, being a participant in a civil disturbance can be an emotionally disturbing experience, particularly if there has been exposure to physical or irritant insults. Therefore, some casualties may present in a state of depression, fright, anxiety, or even hysteria, and delayed psychological reactions may occur. Mental reactions may also develop in those living in an area where the threat of violence exists (Frazer, 1971 Lyons, 1971). Emotionally affected individuals may require sedation and reassurance, and with the more severe and sustained reactions might need psychiatric care. 

Cardiovascular Status. Persons exposed to aerosols, smokes, or solutions of PCSI materials may have transient increases in SBP and DBP, often with reflex bradycardia. This could be compounded because of the emotional experience of being involved in a civil disturbance. Those with a history of cardiovascular disease may require hospital admission and further investigation. 

Ensure the existence of an adequate reference (information) base on the agents and equipments that may be employed in a civil disturbance and on the management of casualties from such disturbances. This could involve the preparation of a manual for traming purposes. 

Ballantyne, B., Riot control agents in military operations, civil disturbance control, and potential terrorist activities, with particular reference to peripheral chemosensory irritants, in Chemical Warfare Agents Toxicology and Treatment, Second Edition, Marrs, T.C., Maynard, R.L., and SideU, F.R., Eds., John Wiley Sons, Chichester, 2006a, pp. 543-612. 

RIOT CONTROL AGENTS IN MILITARY OPERATIONS, CIVIL DISTURBANCE CONTROL AND POTENTIAL TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO PERIPHERAL CHEMOSENSORY IRRITANTS... 

As noted above, the Committee of Enquiry into the use of CS in Northern Ireland recommended that chemical agents intended for use in the control of a civil disturbance should be assessed from the viewpoint more of a medicinal drug than that of a military weapon (HMSO, 1969,1971). However, in reaching this conclusion the Committee did make the distinction that with new drugs there is a need for a balanced risk-benefit analysis and these are purely professional medical considerations. However, with a chemical intended for use against humans for peacekeeping purposes, while many of the hazard and risk assessments are of a medical nature, additional other questions may arise which are concerned with social policy and there may also be... 

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