Thesis on "Disaster Plan"

Quoted Instructions for "Disaster Plan" Assignment:

Overview

You will pull together what you have learned during this course to analyze a bioterrorism scenario and develop a comprehensive disaster plan.

To Do

Review the scenario below.

Review the reflection questions below.

In light of the reflection questions, your own experience, and current developments in the field, write a three-page paper laying out your disaster response plan. You should include at least five citations of current literature in the field and use in-text citations in APA format with a page of references at the end. (Your page of references at the end should constitute the fourth page of your submission.)

Scenario

Terrorists have recruited five cells of two persons each. The individual cells have no knowledge of the existence of the other cells. The terrorist leadership has selected targets based on population density within a confined space. All five of the targets are either conventions, sporting events, or high draw concerts. Although the National Intelligence Agencies have reported a slight increase in the level of chatter among known terrorists, there has not been enough hard intelligence to raise the National Threat Level. The security planned for the convention is in line with the current threat level. The selection of the Episcopal Diocesan Conference being held in Montgomery as one of the targets, coincides with the height of the cold and flu season for your region of the U.S. The two terrorists arrive in your state on the evening before the convention starts via commercial airlines after having been routed through two foreign countries separate from their country of origin. The aerosolized substance is introduced into the convention center*****s HVAC system at approximately 10:00 a.m. on the first morning of the conference. By the third morning of the convention, there is a noticeable thinning of persons in attendance. At approximately noon on the third day, the state regional health district receives a report from Baptist Medical Center South and other medical facilities in the city that their in-patient census is climbing substantially from what appears to be a higher than anticipated number of upper respiratory infection patients. The state regional health district then passes this information to the State Public Health Department.

Reflection Questions

Assessment

Is there enough evidence to suggest something is wrong?

What are the possible causes for the respiratory illness?

Are there laboratory studies available that can confirm a biological event has taken place?

What are potential treatment options?

What could be done to gain control of the situation quickly?

Action

What is your first decision?

What is your course of action?

How do we integrate the information we have to develop situational awareness?

How do we prevent further spread of the disease?

At what point do you want to consider restricting the movement of people?

How do you enforce the restriction of movement?

Communication

When and how do we inform the public?

How much sensitive information do we release?

Collaboration

How do we preserve the integrity of a potential crime scene?

At what point do you request federal assistance?

Would you recommend mass prophylaxis with antibiotics?

What do you do with those who refuse the antibiotics?

Should we request a push package of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)? If so, how would you mobilize this resource?

What disposition will be made of the deceased since this may be communicable?

Summary

What, if any, additional precautions would you recommend be taken when there is a large convention, concert, or sporting event being held in your jurisdiction? *****