A “Dirty Bomb” Attack in Nashville, Research Paper Example

Nashville, TN Demographic Information

Nashville, TN has a population of approximately 1.5 million people, evenly divided between male and female. The highest numbers, in terms of age range, are in the >20-year-old range and in the 25-60 range. There are several hundred thousand people in each of these ranges.

The majority of the population, about 1.2 million, is white; another 230 thousand are African-American. The remainder of the population contains much smaller numbers of Asians, Hispanics/Latinos, etc.

A significant number of households –approximately 40,000- have a household income of >$10,000. Roughly half of the population has a household income of >$50,000. These figures must be taken into consideration when planning for a public health emergency, as many people in the lower socio-economic range may need assistance with shelter, evacuation, and other concerns in such an emergency.

Hypothetical RDD Attack Scenario

There are a number of different scenarios in which radiation could affect a significant portion of the population in the Nashville region. While there are no nuclear facilities in the immediate area, the incidence of a terrorist attack utilizing some form of radiological device is considered to be a real possibility.

In this hypothetical scenario, a terrorist attack utilizing an RDD –a so-called “dirty bomb”-has taken place. An RDD uses a combination of explosives and radiological materials (such as those found in some radiological medical waste) to create both an explosion and to spread radiation through the dispersion caused by the blast. The RDD has been detonated in a busy downtown area in mid-day, in an effort to maximize the damage from the blast and to expose the greatest number of people to radioactive contamination.

The Role of Health Care Managers in the RDD Scenario

The significance of the role of health care managers in dealing with a radiological emergency such as an RDD attack cannot be understated. The effects of such an attack will have both short- and long-term consequences. In the immediate aftermath of an RDD attack, those in the vicinity of the blast may be suffering from wounds that threaten life and limb. These wounds should be treated first, with efforts to provide decontamination, shelter, evacuation, and other needs being met subsequent to these first responses.

In the long term, it will be the role of health care managers to oversee the coordination of health care and population monitoring to determine and treat the effects of radiation on the affected populations. As an RDD can create radioactivity that is dispersed widely, depending on the nature of the device, this long-term management is essential.

First Responders and Their Roles

Coordinating the First Responders

Because there has never been an incident of an RDD terrorist attack in the U.S., the plans for dealing with such an attack are based on hypothetical scenarios and best-practice plans. An actual even of this nature would likely come as surprise, and the response to it would not necessarily play out as it does in hypothetical scenarios. The most important consideration in the event of such an attack is establishing the Incident Command structure and hierarchy as quickly and efficiently as possible, and in determining what immediate steps to take. For those affected by the attack, the most important considerations are treating life-threatening wounds and moving people from the most contaminated area. In many cases, those who have been exposed to radiation can lessen the effects by simply evacuating the area and then undergoing basic decontamination processes (removing clothing, showering, etc.).

Communication in the Aftermath of an RDD Attack

Communication in the aftermath of an RDD attack is crucial. On-site communication will be overseen by the Incident Commander. More importantly, however, is the need to communicate to the population at large. The public will naturally be fearful, and it is imperative that effective information be provided to safely instruct members of the public in how to respond. It will be necessary to use radio, television, and other media to instruct the public about resources for decontamination, shelter, evacuation, and the like. It will also be necessary to provide signs using graphics that can be easily understood by non-English speakers, in order to facilitate as orderly a process as possible.

Population Monitoring

In the immediate aftermath of an RDD attack, some people will likely be treated and decontaminated at the scene, while others will be sent home or to other facilities to self-decontaminate or undergo formal decontamination. It is important to begin the registry process as soon as possible; for those who are not registered immediately, information about registration can be disseminated through the media, through canvassing, etc

In the following days it will be necessary to establish reception centers where those affected by the attack can seek medical care, be registered for long-term monitoring, and receive assistance from organizations such as the American Red Cross. As people are discharged from the reception centers, they will be given as much information as possible about the possible effects to their health, and will be placed in a database for long-term follow-up and medical care.

Conclusion

The possibility of a terrorist attack with an RDD is of grave concern to government and public health officials. There are a number of steps that must be taken in such an event, including treating injuries on the scene, providing decontamination for those closest to the blast zone, and dissemination information to those who will be sent elsewhere for decontamination or treatment. Long-term monitoring of the affected population will also be necessary; health care managers will be of key significance in this area. In all, a coordinated response from many different areas will be necessary to ensure the recovery and long-term health of as many people as possible.

References

Handbook for responding to a Radiological Dispersal Devicehttp://www.crcpd.org/rdd_handbook/rdd-handbook-forweb.pdf

Population monitoring in radiation emergencies: a guide for state and local public health planners http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/pdf/population-monitoring-guide.pdf

Tenford, Thomas S. et al. Health aspects of a nuclear or radiological attack. The Bridge. 40(2). Summer 2010. Radiological Dispersal Devices. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/rdd_tech.html

Dirty Bomb/RDD Attacks. http://www.usfra.org/group/disasterpreparedness/forum/topics/dirty-bomb-rdd-attack#axzz25KsYx7z6