A place for the latest news, information and discussion regarding disasters, terrorism, emerging infectious diseases, disaster response, mitigation and preparedness!
An article in the December, 2005 edition of Government Security on dam safety in the U.S. provided some interesting points to ponder. The North American watershed is very complex and extremely vulnerable. Dam security merits careful consideration in Homeland Security strategies as well as disaster planning. Dams in our country supply drinking water, energy, and serve as sources for recreation. The U.S. inventory includes nearly 80,000 dams; ownership of these dams is predominantly private. Less than 3 % of dams and reservoirs are actually owned by the Federal Government. The United States Army Corps of Engineers currently owns 555 dams and there are 1,800 federal reservoirs.
In terms of vulnerability, the American Society of Civil Engineers reported that in 2003, there were 10,049 dams that are located less than one mile downstream from cities. Of these, the engineers identified 2,600 that are “unsafe”. In the past several years, there have been more than 500 hundred dam incidents and 21 dam failures reported to the National Performance of Dams Program. Dams, like any other structure, deteriorate over time, requiring vigilant inspection and maintenance. The average age in years of dams is 40, according to Integrated Resource Management. Many dams are considerably older, with many dating back to the 18th century. The oldest dam in the U.S., the Mill Pond Dam in Newington, Connecticut dates back to 1677. While we tend to focus much of our attention on the larger, more highly visible dams, the smaller dams, many which the vast majorities are earthen dams receive little attention. Earthen dams are constructed as a simple embankment of compacted earth. Earthen dams may or may not be constructed with water-tight concrete or clay cores, upstream face, or a hydraulic fill to produce the water-tight core.
Embankment dams also fall under this classification in terms of dam taxonomy. Embankment dams are made from fill material and not joined by mortar. The two main types of embankment dams are rock-fill and earth dams. Embankment dams rely on their weight to hold back the water, similar to the gravity dams constructed of concrete. It is the head wall or the actual embankment of the dam which holds the water back, which is the greatest area of vulnerability for a terrorist of intentional act. Earthen dams are prime targets for attack for the following reasons:
1. The exist in remote areas, out of public view
2. Reconnaissance could be easily conducted
3. A conventional head wall would easily be compromised by conventional explosives
4. The skill set and materials required to construct an explosive device substantial enough to breach a dam would not pose a tremendous challenge
5. A dam classified as “high hazard” failing in the middle of the night could result in hundreds, if not thousands of deaths
6. The economic and psychological impact of a breached dam would be significant.
Other than having the authority to inspect private dams, the local, state, and federal government has limited regulatory authority! Currently, there are no mandated security measures against terrorism for these privately owned dams. This leads one to feel a bit queasy and wonder who is responsible for securing the private, “high hazard” dams in our nation? The answer “no one”, certainly elevates my queasiness to a higher level! The article gives the example of an earthen dam in West Virginia that relies on a high-security chain and padlock to secure gates to the road leading to the dam! The chain is the ONLY thing serving as a deterrent! There are a hundred homes and buildings within a mile of this particular dam, but because of its obscure location, such an incident would most likely go unnoticed. A fairly inexpensive truck bomb exploding near its headwall would likely be enough to cause a small portion to breach—-allowing water pressure to do the rest!!! It is impossible to mitigate all risks of an act of terrorism, intentional event, or even a natural disaster, yet we need to focus on these “softer” targets which have a high likelihood of success, due to their potential impact! Maybe one of the first steps is to determine who is responsible for protection of our nation’s privately owned dams. Protection systems are available yet costly. Paying for costly security and infrastructure upgrades now would most certainly be outweighed by the costs incurred by dam breaches and subsequent failures in the future—no matter what the cause of the breach is!
This past Sunday, CBS’ 60 Minutes had a segment about Neumune. It’s a new drug produced by Hollis Eden Pharmaceuticals that is supposed to protect white cells, red cells, and platelets from Acute Radiation Syndrome. It has the approval of the Pentagon and the drug company believed that the Bioshield Program would buy millions of doses. Instead, they received a purchase order for only 100,000 doses.
60 Minutes and certain members of Congress are critical of this lack of aggressiveness on the part of DHHS and the Bioshield director. They believe if there were a nuclear attack, 100,000 doses would be a drop in the ocean in protecting a major metropolitan’s citizens.
Neumune is similar in structure to a hormone that is secreted by the adrenals.
However, Neumune has really only been tested on primates – not humans, for ethical reasons. In addition, some critics believe that while the drug is promising, there hasn’t been a primate study large enough to demonstrate a statistically significant survival benefit.
One study that has been quoted used 30 primates. Ten received no treatment, ten received placebo, and ten received Neumune after exposure to radiation. Those primates that received Neumune had a 90% survival rate compared to only 55% in the other two groups.
The RAID-M-100 is designed to be operated whilst being held one handed. The RAID-M-100 is equipped with a 63 Ni source but with an activity below the European exemption limit for this isotope. It is used to monitor the contamination of personnel or equipment in the field and within collective protection facilities. The RAID-M-100 is able to detect, classify, and quantify chemical agents. Detected substances are displayed by class or by specific agent, together with the measured concentration range. G and H agents can be detected simultaneously. Hazard levels are indicated by an incremental display with five or eight increments.
Special features
superior reliability and maintainability
diversity of power supply options
data and spectra logger
user accessible filters
HFI based functionality
upgradeability for customers
standardized safety
Applications
As the hand-held monitor in the product family, all applications related to point monitoring are supported by the RAID-M-100. The system is in service with Armed Forces like German Army and Navy or the Danish Armed Forces.
As a customized version for environmental monitoring a special library for monitoring Dimethylsulfate (DMS) is available, which is in use at several production sites.
Technical Data
RAID-M-100 Detector Module
Length x Width x Height:
400mm x 115mm x 165mm
Weight:
2,9 kg
Power requirement:
12 … 32 V DC / 240 V 50 Hz AC / 4 – 0,5 A at 24 V
Temperature range:
-30 – 50 °C
Radiation active source:
63Ni of 100 MBq activity;
Type approved after German certificate SN/S-08/2001
Environmental Testing:
According to MIL STD 810F (US) and DEF STAN 00-35 (UK)
Substances detectable:
CWA’s: GA, GB, GD, GF, VX, HD, HN, L, AC
(List not exhaustive) Test substances: DPM (GSI), MSAL
RAID-M-100 is powered from an integral, rechargeable lithium ion battery pack
It has a minimum battery life of 6 hours intermittent use in a 24 hour period at temperatures from plus 10°C to plus 49°C over a standard mission profile.
At minus 20°C the battery life is not less than 75% of that at plus 10°C
Spare parts
No requirement to change consumables when RAID-M-100 detects a challenge, any consumables used are kept to a minimum and have maximum life, not less than 500 hours.
Dust, purge and drying filters can be exchanged by the operator.
This monograph, by Barry Kellman, “looks at our country’s federal and legal system and how it has been used in other kinds of crises, to offer a framework from which to address new threats. It begins by describing the laws Congress has established for dealing with disasters, emergencies and acts of war, then looks at the President’s inherent authority for dealing with unanticipated crises, and at state and local emergency powers. Finally, it explores what legal liability may attach to those who respond to an emergency. The monograph identifies relevant statutory authority and case law, to define the limits of what acts government may reasonably initiate and what acts may be found unreasonable by the courts.
The release of two videos in a short time span may carry some special significance. Recently, Osama released a video. Similarly, al-Zawahiri released a video on Jan. 6. People in the know consider this significant. Why?
Tapes were released on Sept. 9 and Nov. 9, 2004, and were
followed by the Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, bombings Dec. 6.
Tapes were also released on Feb. 20 and June 26, 2005, and were followed by the July 7, 2005, London bombings.
Finally tapes were released on Aug. 4 and Sept. 1, 2005, and were followed by the Bali bombings Oct. 1, 2005.
So within 30 days of a release of 2 videos something happens. And February 5 is a date of concern. First of all, it’s Superbowl Sunday and all eyes will be watching the events on Ford Field. Secondly, on that date in 1989 the last Soviet troops withdrew from Kabul, Afghanistan, signaling their defeat at the hand of the mujahedeen. Kabul was the capital of Osama’s adopted country and was a major win for him and Islam. So, people are saying that February 5 has a special significance for Osama.
Of interest is that there will be 10,000 security personnel from various agencies stationed in Detroit during the Superbowl.
Check out the website: www.FluWatch.com. It’s by The National Flu Surveillance Network. It lists flu activity state by state and county by county within the state that you select. You can even subscribe to e-mail alerts.
Patricia L. Meinhardt, MD, MPH, MA
Disaster Preparedness for Water Contamination Events:
I am pleased to announce the following disaster and terrorism preparedness training session that I will be presenting for the Center for Public Health Preparedness at the University of Albany School of Public Health. This presentation will review the numerous challenges created when water systems are damaged by natural disasters, man-made accidents, or terrorist activity and will present key disaster preparedness strategies specific to water contamination. More than 200 sites from 42 states have already registered to view our satellite broadcast session and you can view our session as a live webcast directly from your personal computer via the internet.
Please join us for this FREE disaster preparedness educational session with a special focus on the “lessons learned” from the water contamination challenges resulting from Hurricane Katrina. Training session details are presented below as well as directions for registering for the satellite broadcast or live webcast option directly from your personal computer.
Patricia L. Meinhardt, MD, MPH, MA
Executive Medical Director, Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Arnot Ogden Medical Center – Elmira, NY
Author, Recognizing Waterborne Disease and the Health Effects of Water Pollution and Physician Preparedness for Acts of Water Terrorism
——————————————————————————–
Water Contamination Events: Lessons Learned from Katrina
February 9, 2006
Broadcast from 10-11 AM EST and Rebroadcast from 4-5 PM EST
Program Description:
The massive water contamination event resulting from Hurricane Katrina highlighted the critical need for every community to incorporate disaster preparedness for water supply disruption and contamination into their natural disaster response and terrorism preparedness emergency plans. This presentation will review the numerous challenges created when water systems are damaged by natural disasters, man-made accidents, or terrorist activity. A series of disaster preparedness strategies specific to water contamination will be discussed that are essential elements for ALL local and state emergency medical response planning in order to protect the public’s health.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation the participants will be able to:
1. Understand the medical, public health, and economic consequences of water contamination for a community resulting from natural, man-made or intentional water disasters
2. List the unique preparedness challenges for water contamination events that require specific pre-incident planning and post-event response strategies
3. Describe fifteen key disaster response strategies for water contamination that should be included in every local and state disaster response plan
Who Should Attend:
National audience of state and local public health and healthcare professionals including hospital administrators; EMS, disaster management, and terrorism preparedness personnel; water utility, law enforcement, military emergency preparedness officials (National Guard), and government officials; environmental health, water quality, and risk communication professionals; and media representatives.
How to Register:
There is no charge for this program but reservations are requested. Please choose from the options listed below:
Satellite Broadcast:
To register your site for viewing this training session as a satellite broadcast, please visit: http://www.informz.net/ualbany-sph/event.asp?eid=681.
Live Webcast:
Viewing this session as a live webcast directly from your personal computer via the internet requires RealPlayer which is a free download and available when you register. To register for the live webcast option, please click here. For webcasting tips, please click here.
Archived Session:
This program will also be available in an archived version two weeks after initial broadcast at http://www.ualbanycphp.org/default.cfm.
Additional information:
Please visit: http://www.ualbanycphp.org/GRS/eventCurrent.cfm?id=49 or contact the Center for Public Health Preparedness staff at cphp@uamail.albany.edu or 518-486-7921.
Jan. 14, 2002: 40 year old man and 13year old son to ER.
Dad: nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, dehydrated, dysphonic; hospitalized then developed ptosis, profound weakness of extraocular muscles and increasing difficulty with breathing and handling secretions. Stayed awake and alert.
Son: 36 hour history of sore throat, dysphagia, vomiting, dehydration. Hospitalized and then had trouble handling secretions and developed dilated pupils, no gag reflex, and difficulty supporting head on day 2.
Jan. 15: Both intubated, transported to tertiary care center; botulism – presumed diagnosis. Specimens collected. BOH notifies CDC and antitoxin shipped from JFK quarantine station to Bangor, Maine. Patients received antitoxin later in the day.
Public health actions: public health centers notified in Maine and surrounding states and Canadian provinces; Health alert went out to ERs and infection control offices in the state. Epi teams interviewed family about travel and food history. Food samples checked and sent to CDC botulism laboratory.
Jan. 19: CDC reports that home-cooked rice and tomato sauce returned positive for botulinum toxin A which was what patients had. A family member stated that the contaminated tomato sauce was canned at home. It was eaten 36 hours before son’s symptoms began. The food was microwaved for 5-6 minutes before consumption and 2 other family members ate the same food, but were asymptomatic.
Aftermath: The father was hospitalized for 1 month. The son was hospitalized for 2 months and required TPN. Then more time for outpatient occupational and physical therapy.
Comment: The tomato sauce was not heated in a pressure cooker before it was canned. This is improper since pressure cooking achieves temperatures high enough (>100 degrees C for 10 minutes) to kill spores. Also boiling canned food for 10 minutes will destroy any neurotoxin contained in the suspected food. Microwaving for 5-8 minutes isn’t sufficient.
Today, the Anadolu News Agency in Warsaw reports that the number of deaths due to the roff collapse has risen to 60. The number of injured is now up to 141. There is still concern that scores of people may still be trapped, maybe up to 100.
Because the environmental temperature has dropped to as low as -17 degrees Celsius, it has been reported that hot air is being pumped into the ruins.
Obviously, search and rescue is a major challenge in this kind of environment and is a danger to both victim and rescuer.
Today, CNN reported that the roof of an exhibition hall in Chorzow collapsed under heavy snow Saturday. At least four were killed and at least thirty injured. The rescue is still under way and no one knows how many are still trapped. It’s estimated that hundreds were in the hall at the time attending a carrier pigeon show. This is a traditional exhibition for the entire family and so it is also believed that there will a significant amount pediatric trauma.
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