Conclusion

Medical Response to WMD Medical Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction

If a weapon of mass destruction event involving chemical and/or biological agents were to occur today and all the components of the medical response system were in place and trained, our medical system could facilitate the survival of a greater number of patients. Approaching the scene with a high level of suspicion, the first responders will have the appropriate personal protective equipment, be able to recognize the event as a chemical and/or biological incident and activate the Metropolitan Medical Response System. Within an hour, a team of specially trained physicians, law enforcement officials, logisticians, and administrators would be on-scene. They will be able to control the scene, triage, decontaminate the patients, and evacuate them to area hospitals. If the number of patients is more than the area hospitals can provide for, the state officials contact the HHS and request additional medical support. The HHS forwards the request to the Assistant Secretary of Health, who approves the request. Within hours, the HHS activates the National Disaster Medical System providing additional hospital beds and an evacuation system. After the seeing the last patient and many hours of continuous work, the medical community and its citizens can look back and smile on a job well done.