Possible Medical Site

Inside March 11, 2003's Issue

-News-

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Campus possible medical site in case of attack

By Brian S. Armstrong
Staff writer
Bioterrosism

Georgia Highlands College has been named as a possible site for medical care and dispersal of medicine and other necessary supplies in the event of a regional/state bio-terrorism attack on the Atlanta-Northwest Georgia area.

Other possible sites distributed around Floyd County include Berry College, Shorter College and the fairgrounds downtown.

"Atlanta is a prime target," says Harold Brooks, coordinator of security at Georgia Highlands College.

Atlanta is home to the busiest airport in the country, Dobbins Air force base and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), which makes it a very attractive target for a biological attack.

According to Brooks, Rome is a good location for distribution of emergency medical services because it is located halfway between Atlanta and Chattanooga. Both cities are potential targets, and Rome is easily accessible to both areas.

Penny Wills, vice president of student development, said that Georgia Highlands College has the facilities, plenty of room and plenty of nursing students that would be a valuable resource in case of a terrorist attack.

"We're the community's college. We have always been a part of the community and we will continue to do that. We feel a responsibility to this community," said Wills.

Aside from the resources that FC has to offer, its location makes it ideal. Rome is northwest of Atlanta. Because of the air current in this part of the country, the wind would blow any contaminates in the air over Atlanta east, missing Rome.

Within six hours of an attack the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile (NPS) would be shipped via cargo plane or truck, whichever mode of transportation the situation warranted, and delivered to a central storage facility. The location of this facility will be a highly guarded secret for the obvious security reasons.

Brooks said, "The logistics are mind boggling," speaking of the coordination needed to make such an operation possible.

In the event of a bio-terrorism attack, the dispersal/treatment facility would immediately be barricaded and protected by armed guards.

The college campus would be transformed within a few hours into an emergency medical treatment facility. The materials delivered from the NPS would be in great demand in a mass attack, hence the need for armed guards and barricades.

The logistics of such an event would include keeping order, tracking the patients, distribution, accounting, record keeping, dispensing proper doses, disposal of contaminates and many other necessary measures, all while in the middle of disastrous circumstances.

Jill Woods, nursing student said, "I think it's a great idea, but it is kind of scary to even think about."

Although the topic of bio-terrorism is a scary one, it is an important one that is being planned for using a model developed in Florida.

A similar plan was originally developed to deal with hurricane Andrew, but according to Brooks, is being modified to fit a bio-terrorism threat.

The plans for the NPS sites are not definite yet, but planning is underway.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Red Cross and many other organizations are working with local officials to develop a plan to help deal with a mass attack.