“Vista Forge: A Cross Collaboration For Radiological Disaster Response In Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia 2022”
Abstract
Background: Vista Forge was a disaster response exercise designed by Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency to evaluate the ability of local, regional, state, and federal entities to respond to a simulated radiological disaster within Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. Fulton County Board of Health’s Emergency Preparedness and Epidemiology divisions were assigned to the Family Assistance Center, which was designed for the reunification of individuals and their pets after decontamination and radiation screening. The Public Health aim of the exercise was to evaluate the effectiveness of the partnership between both divisions to conduct patient tracking and connect affected families with essential resources.
Methods: After decontamination volunteer individuals and pets, who had been randomly assigned to portray various exposure scenarios, were screened by Emergency Preparedness for radioactive contamination by using a portal monitor. Epidemiology enrolled participants in WebEOC’s patient tracker to assess patient needs and coordinate patient placement at either shelters or hospitals. In total, we were able to assist 20 participants.
Results: Through the partnership between both divisions, we successfully triaged 16 individuals and four pets. We connected two participants with language services and 17 participants with animal, financial, and medical services and American Red Cross shelters. A potential witness, with family ties to a suspected orchestrator of the attack, was identified and connected with law enforcement.
Conclusion: In conclusion, effective response to no-notice emergency events requires seamless integration between both divisions as seen through past collaborations during emergency activations. Based on the results of the exercise, we determined maintaining a productive partnership and engaging in preparedness activities, such as Vista Forge, is essential for informed decision-making when delivering quality services to the residents of Fulton County.
Keywords
Disaster Response, Vista Forge, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness, Radiological
“Vista Forge: A Cross Collaboration For Radiological Disaster Response In Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia 2022”
Background: Vista Forge was a disaster response exercise designed by Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency to evaluate the ability of local, regional, state, and federal entities to respond to a simulated radiological disaster within Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. Fulton County Board of Health’s Emergency Preparedness and Epidemiology divisions were assigned to the Family Assistance Center, which was designed for the reunification of individuals and their pets after decontamination and radiation screening. The Public Health aim of the exercise was to evaluate the effectiveness of the partnership between both divisions to conduct patient tracking and connect affected families with essential resources.
Methods: After decontamination volunteer individuals and pets, who had been randomly assigned to portray various exposure scenarios, were screened by Emergency Preparedness for radioactive contamination by using a portal monitor. Epidemiology enrolled participants in WebEOC’s patient tracker to assess patient needs and coordinate patient placement at either shelters or hospitals. In total, we were able to assist 20 participants.
Results: Through the partnership between both divisions, we successfully triaged 16 individuals and four pets. We connected two participants with language services and 17 participants with animal, financial, and medical services and American Red Cross shelters. A potential witness, with family ties to a suspected orchestrator of the attack, was identified and connected with law enforcement.
Conclusion: In conclusion, effective response to no-notice emergency events requires seamless integration between both divisions as seen through past collaborations during emergency activations. Based on the results of the exercise, we determined maintaining a productive partnership and engaging in preparedness activities, such as Vista Forge, is essential for informed decision-making when delivering quality services to the residents of Fulton County.
