The Implication Of Another Round Of Bombings

July, 2006, many awoke this morning to the newsterritorialism among medical specialties. Since 9/11,
of a major Counter terrorism success.every specialty has sought to proclaim itself the
Conspirators in London were arrested for alleged"Masters of Disaster". They fail to realize that
participation in an apparent plot to blow-up anmost of the healthcare delivered after a disaster
unknown number of American aircraft at anis simply the daily practice of medicine in more
uncertain date in the not too distant future,austere of conditions. They also fail to understand
perhaps even on the anniversary of Septemberthat the majority of disaster medicine is practiced
11th.before disaster ever strikes. Disaster Medicine
My short introduction points up the very naturespecialists are essential to the integration of
of terrorism and disaster preparedness. "Allegedhealthcare into the community disaster response,
participation" and "apparent plot" juxtaposed toand the elimination of profession-specific silos of
phrases like "unknown number," "uncertain date,"authority and knowledge.
not too distant," and "perhaps" emphasis theWhat these other specialties fail to see is that in
uncertainty of the information on which we mustthe planning, preparation, response and recovery
act and the need for vigilance and preparedness.from disaster, the healthcare community must be
Six short weeks ago, the National Academies ofa seamless team, not a collection of egocentric
Science here in the United States published 3individuals. Rather than embracing the concept of
reports which pointed out just how unpreparedboard certification in the new specialty of Disaster
America's hospitals and healthcare industry is toMedicine, these territorial and fractious groups
deal with the type of mass carnage thwartedseek to stake their claim in this most critical part
today or the catastrophe that was hurricaneof our brave new world. In short, they have
Katrina.learned nothing over the last five years.
I am among that group of disaster responseThere is encouraging news. Disaster Life support
experts who lost colleagues and family when the(DLS) has become the de facto national standard
towers fell. It is infuriating to know that five yearsfor disaster preparedness of individuals, families,
later we who prepare the nation must still arguebusinesses and healthcare professionals and
with corporations and healthcare institutionsHealthcare First Responder training (HFR) has
before they take responsibility for their part in ourbecome the ruler by which hospitals and other
nation's safety, security, and preparedness. Thosehealthcare institutions are measured. It is
who teach these most critical skills remind ourimmensely rewarding when participants "catch the
students that the goal is not to pass a test orbug" and understand how important it is to be
gain career advancement. The goal is to go homeprepared to protect themselves, their families,
alive at the end of the day.their communities, and their patients. Much like the
On those occasions when corporations andearly days of CPR, it will take time for the nation
healthcare institutions bring in "the experts," it isto understand the importance of every man,
discouraging to see the room more than halfwoman and child knowing what to do when the
empty. In a nation whose businesses pridewind blows, the buildings falls or the whole planet
themselves on customer care, to see so fewsneezes at once. Until then, those who teach
people interested in preserving the nation's safetythese most precious skills will continue to strive to
is demoralizing beyond words.ensure that everyone goes home at the end of
Equally disturbing is the recent trend towardsthe day.