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Comparison of Chemical
versus Biological attack
C: Focal event - single place
B: Multi-focal event - many places simultaneously
C: Immediate (early) onset -
symptoms evident immediately
B: Delayed onset - symptoms may not be evident for days
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City and County Biological
Incident Response Plan (BIRP) under development
Initially, casualties of a biological
incident may not be recognized. For example, many primary care
providers may believe it is a seasonal influenza outbreak.
Later, increasing casualties
will overwhelm medical facilities
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Barriers to effective management:
1. Recognition and identification
of biological agent
2. Segregation of casualties and uninfected people
3. Inadequate supply of medications and vaccines
4. Expected casualties of up to 10% of population (approx. 100,000
casualties)
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Treatment Strategy
1. Open up Treatment and Referral
Facilities (TARF)
2. Screen casualties and provide minor treatment
3. Refer casualties to appropriate medical facilities
4. Available facilities: 13 local hospitals
5. 30 - 60 TARFs in support of field care and hospital referrals
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Needs:
Emergency communications (Amateur
Radio) to supplement expected disruption of normal communications
channels.
Question: How to utilize Ham
Radio in support of State, City, CD, EOC, Medical and TARF organizations.
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Scenario:
1. Long term sustainability (in
terms of weeks) expected.
2. Safety of Ham Operators from infection and physical assault
3. How to network communications with the agencies.
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Changing paradigm:
Move from a fixed site, fixed
allocation scenario to a role-based mobile operations paradigm.
Considerations:
1. Review mix of people / skills
required
2. Recruit many more Hams for TARFs and long term support (weeks)
3. Training for flexible response and general equipment operations
4. Develop "cookbook" manuals for expected non-local
volunteer hams
5. Develop mobilization and deployment strategy
6. Maintain interest and skill level considering the "low
risk, high vulnerability" aspect.
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Note:
This seminar was conducted via
the 147.22 VHF repeater courtesy of St Francis Medical Center,
Honolulu, Hawaii during a HealthComm Hawaii meeting. This is
the first known tele-conference seminar via Amateur Radio on
Oahu. |