A timely and temperate reminder that cold weather may be and is uncomfortable, but extremely cold weather can kill. Among those in the greatest danger, surprisingly enough, are EMS staff and other responders.
"New" diseases, combined with the fatal rebirth of ancient diseases believed to have been terminally laid to rest, are giving epidemiologists, EMS agencies and responders, and healthcare workers a daunting challenge of epic proportions.
The evacuation of a major city devastated by a natural disaster or an act of terrorism takes multi-agency cooperation, numerous training drills, & dedicated professionals who have the courage needed to stay in place while saving the lives of others.
The nation's healthcare workers could become an endangered species if numerous planned improvements in hospital security are not funded and implemented in the near future. Here is a quick look at some of the innovative design upgrades recently introduced.
Just in case the United States, & the rest of the world, did not have enough to worry about, recent public-health reports provide a timely reminder that new pandemics, possibly the most disastrous ever, could still strike at any time.
With nations as with individuals, the most tragic failures sometimes lead to the most stunning successes. Provided the right lessons are learned - and then fully and carefully implemented.
The well-dressed first responder can take with him or her a limited amount of equipment to the incident scene. The selection of that equipment may be, and often is, a literally life-or-death matter.
"Learning by Doing" was the guideline used by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention in responding to the anthrax attacks in 2001 by developing a new and highly sophisticated multipurpose bioterrorism detection system.
Get out of town before the hurricane hits! Everyone! That was the warning issued by the state of Louisiana and City of New Orleans before both Katrina and Gustav. The warning worked - the second time around.
Memories of even the most cataclysmic disaster fade as time passes, but those memories are important reminders that continued vigilance is needed to ensure that similar disasters are avoided in the future.
