Emergency events can happen anywhere, at any time. On February 24, 2011 a fire extinguisher hanging on the wall was accidentally bumped and then fell to the floor in an eight-bed critical care unit at IU Health Bloomington Hospital located in southern Indiana. The Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher spontaneously discharged its powder throughout the unit causing evacuation assessment and preparation to begin. Read more

Hospitals and emergency responders will likely go through a difficult transition over the next few years looking for funds to continue their preparedness mission.  Historically, especially prior to 2001, most emergency response equipment and training purchases were made using local resources. Not uncommonly, hospitals reached out to nearby businesses for financial support of their emergency preparedness initiatives.  That changed dramatically after 9/11 when the federal government stepped in and began paying for many of these purchases through a formal grant process.  Now, as a result of significant budget cuts, hospitals and local response agencies will need to once again begin budgeting for their preparedness needs through local resources.  The recent experience of a hospital in Kentucky may pave the way for ongoing preparedness in the future. Read More

Natural and technological disasters can cause a great deal of human suffering and loss of homes, businesses, and personal possessions. Their impact can be so great that the affected community becomes dependent on outside help and resources to cope with the aftermath. In many instances the large numbers of people who are suddenly ill, injured or displaced can exceed the capacity of the local health care system to care for them.  In addition, local hospitals may be damaged, roads blocked or made inaccessible, and personnel may be unable to perform their duties. The disaster can hamper the local community's ability to provide routine, non-emergency healthcare which may result in an increase in illness and death in segments of the population that might not have been directly affected by the disaster. These healthcare problems are compounded when large numbers of people are placed in shelters. As a result, surrounding communities are often called upon to provide assistance. Read more