Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
The American Red Cross (the primary agency for mass care), the Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)
should be actively involved with the planning process to determine both in-place
sheltering and mobile mass care systems for the terrorism annex.
A midpoint or intermediary station may be needed to move victims out of the
way of immediate harm. This action would allow responders to provide critical
attention (e.g., decontamination and medical services) and general lifesaving sup-
port, then evacuate victims to a mass location for further attention. Some general
issues to consider for inclusion in you terrorism annex:
◾
Location, setup, and equipment for decontamination stations, if any
◾
Mobile triage support and qualified personnel
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Supplies and personnel to support in-place sheltering
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Evacuation to intermediary location to provide decontamination and medi-
cal attention
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Determination of safety perimeters (based on agent)
◾
Patient tracking/record keeping for augmentation of epidemiological services
and support
Health and Medical
The basic EOP should already contain a Health and Medical Annex. Issues that
may be different during a terrorist incident and that should be addressed in the
terrorism annex include
✓
Decontamination
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Safety of victims and responders
✓
In-place sheltering and quarantine versus evacuation
✓
Multihazard and multiagent trage
Planning should anticipate the need to handle large numbers of people who may or may
not be contaminated but who are fearful about their medical wellbeing. In addition,
the terrorism annex should identify the locations and capacities of medical care facilities
within the jurisdiction and in surrounding jurisdictions. The terrorism annex should
also include a description of the capabilities of these medical care facilities, especially
with regard to trauma care. Depending on the nature and extent of the terrorist attack,
the most appropriate medical care facility may not necessarily be the closest facility.
In addition, first responders may be entering an environment rife with bio-
logical or chemical agents, radioactive materials, or hazardous pollutants from col-
lapsed buildings, or collapsed buildings might be imminent. Other incidents may
post environmental or physical risks to responders. Examples may be a structurally
damaged and potentially deadly pipeline, tank car, tank truck, bridge, or tunnel.
