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Epidemic and Bioterrorism Preparation among Emergency Medical Services Systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Brian J. Maguire ,
Stephen Dean ,
Richard A. Bissell ,
Bruce J. Walz  and
Andrew K. Bumbak
Brian J. Maguire*
Affiliation:
University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Stephen Dean
Affiliation:
University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Richard A. Bissell
Affiliation:
University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Bruce J. Walz
Affiliation:
University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Andrew K. Bumbak
Affiliation:
University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
*
Dr. Brian J. Maguire The Center for Emergency Education and Disaster Research, Department of Emergency Health Services, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250USA E-mail: maguire@umbc.edu
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Abstract

Introduction:

The purpose of this research was to determine the preparedness of emergency medical services (EMS) agencies in one US state to cope with a massive epidemic event.

Methods:

Data were collected primarily through telephone interviews with EMS officials throughout the State. To provide a comparison, nine out-ofstate emergency services agencies were invited to participate.

Results:

Emergency medical services agencies from nine of the 23 counties (39%) provided responses to some or all of the questions in the telephone survey. Seven of the nine out-of-state agencies provided responses to the survey. Most of the EMS agencies do not have broad, formal plans for response to large-scale bio-terrorist or pandemic events.

Conclusions:

The findings indicate that EMS agencies in this state fundamentally are unprepared for a large-scale bioterrorism or pandemic event.The few existing plans rely heavily on mutual aid from agencies that may be incapable of providing such aid. Therefore, EMS agencies must be prepared to manage a response to these incidents without assistance from any agencies outside of their local community. In order to accomplish this, they must begin planning and develop close working relationships with public health, healthcare, and elected officials within their local communities.

Keywords

emergency medical servicespandemicbioterrorismepidemicpreparedness
Type
Brief Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , June 2007 , pp. 237 - 242
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2007

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