Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T12:49:34.546Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Model for Preparedness of a Public Institution for a Terrorist Attack

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Izak Lifshitz*
Affiliation:
Jerusalem, Israel
Jakov Adler
Affiliation:
Jerusalem, Israel
Joseph Katz
Affiliation:
Division of Diagnstic Sciences, Department of OralMaxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, Gainesville, Florida USA
*
Division of Diagnostic SciencesDepartment of OralMaxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic SciencesPO Box 100416Gainesville, FL 32610-0416USA E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Public institutions such as governmental facilities, hospitals, universities, and amusement parks may be targeted by terrorists using weapons of mass destruction due to their potential to cause large numbers of casualties.

Consequentially, these institutions should be prepared to manage such an event by the development and implementation of specific preparedness guidelines for any conventional or unconventional terrorist attacks.

In order to test the preparedness of such an institution for a chemical event, a large-scale drill focusing on the first medical team to respond was conducted.

Some important lessons regarding the way the medical team operates and communicates were learned from this drill. Periodic drills should be performed in order to assess the practicality and applicability of these guidelines.

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Testimony Before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives; September 11Health Effects in the Aftermath of the World Trade Center Attack: United States Government Accountability OfficeGoogle Scholar
2.Arnold, JL, Halpern, P, Tsai, MC, Smithline, H: Mass casualty terrorist bombings: A comparison of outcomes by bombing type. J Emerg Med 2004;43(2):263273.Google ScholarPubMed
3.Ganor, B: How to be Effective in Counter-Terrorism. A Policy Forum hosted by The Saban Center for Middle East Policy. The International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism, The Brookings Institution, April 2005.Google Scholar
4. US Dept. of State, Office of Counterterrorism: Country Reports on Terrorism 2004. Apr. 2005. Department of State Publication 11248.Google Scholar
5.Nozaki, H, Aikawa, N, Shinozawa, Y, et al. : Sarin gas poisoning in the Tokyo subway. Lancet 1995;345:980981.Google ScholarPubMed
6.Okumara, T, Takusa, N, Ishimatsu, S, et al. : Report on 640 victims of the Tokyo subway sarin attack. Ann Emerg Med 1996;28:129135.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Carmeli, A, Liberman, N, Mevorach, L: Anxiety-related somatic reactions during missile attacks. Isr J Med Sci 1991;27:677680.Google ScholarPubMed
8. Associated Press: Analysts see 50% chance of terror strike within 5 years. Available at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_/ai_n14678722.Google Scholar
9.US Congress, Office of Technology Assessment: Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction: Assessing the Risks. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 1993. Publication OTA-ISC-559.Google Scholar
10.Adler, J: Lessons from the Israeli Experience. In: McGlown, JK (ed): Terrorism and Disaster Management. ACHE Management Series. Chicago: Health Admin. Press. 2004:pp 275295.Google Scholar
11.Protective measures and handling of casualties. In: Treatment of Chemical Agent Casualties and Conventional Military Chemical Injuries. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 1990. FM 8-285, NAVMED P-5041, AFM 160-11.Google Scholar
12.Adler, J: Missile attacks on Israel during the Gulf War. Handout prepared for: National Disaster Medical System Conference on Lifesaving Intervention; May 4–7, 1997; Tampa, Fla.Google Scholar