Media event tests emergency plan
Staff reporter
The scenario went like this: Kansas Coliseum officials reported the discovery of a shoe box containing white powder, later determined to be anthrax, following a sold-out concert.
It is feared that residents within a 60-mile radius may have attended the performance and been exposed to the lethal powder.
What action would Marion County officials take to inform and treat residents who attended the concert and may be infected?
This make-believe scenario was part of a unique and groundbreaking workshop Thursday, the first one of its kind in the U.S.
Marion County personnel from emergency management, law enforcement, medical, and the media participated in the bio-terrorism workshop and exercise.
The county is a member of Kansas South-Central Metro Region of emergency preparedness, a sponsor for the event.
The exercise was designed for the media to gain a better understanding of the process officials must follow during a disaster or terrorist attack. It also gave insight to officials regarding the media's role and responsibility.
During the course of the exercise, participants were given updates of the scenario.
Press conferences were held with media asking questions related to the investigation, treatment for victims, and assistance from state and federal agencies.
"It was a good way to review and perfect the county's emergency plan," said Michele Abbott-Becker, county emergency management director.
"The training was great," Abbott-Becker continued. "Not only would it work in a bio-hazard situation but most any emergency."
She emphasized it is important for county officials to sit down together and discuss the plan.
"Until the plan is put to a test, you have no way of knowing how well it will work," Abbott-Becker said. This was a way to test it before a similar disaster would put it into action.
Lessons learned: Oklahoma City bombing
Prior to the bio-terrorism exercise, Sam Gonzales, retired police chief of Oklahoma City, Okla., gave a presentation of the April 19, 1995, Oklahoma City bombing.
Gonzales was police chief when the attack occurred and provided a step-by-step accounting of the action that was taken and how the disaster plan could have been improved.
He emphasized the importance of the media, especially the local media.
Right after the bombing occurred, hundreds of media personnel descended on Oklahoma City.
"Build a positive relationship with media," Gonzales suggested. "Do not abandon them for the 'big out-of-town' media. At some point, they will go away, leaving you with local media."
Gonzales added one of the largest obstacles was making the media understand the process of rescuing people.
He explained that when the building collapsed, the seven stories pancaked on top of each other.
"It was a long and tedious process to look for survivors and recover bodies," Gonzales said. At times the media was not patient and thought more should be done to make the rescue go faster.
Members of the media were given the opportunity to take turns going in the "hole," a tunnel rescuers dug in the collapsed building to safely extricate victims.
"There weren't many takers," Gonzales said.
He further explained during a disaster, to give the media a specific area where the scene of the disaster is in the background.
Jeff Lanza, FBI media spokesman from the Kansas City office, recommended to officials to not say "no comment."
He related to an anthrax crime in 2001.
"People didn't know if it was safe to open mail," Lanza said. The FBI office received 6,400 calls from concerned citizens. In all five people died.
"There were 36,000 people who have died from the flu," Lanza said. "But people are driven by fear and uncertainty."
It was emphasized to give media information, updating as necessary. Otherwise, the media will do their own investigation which may hamper other investigations.
The exercise
Each county was seated together at a table. A scenario was presented to the tables regarding the bio-terrorism event.
Participants worked together to implement the county's plan and devise specific actions that pertained to the scenario.
Marion County participants were Abbott-Becker, Marvena Cheevers, dispatcher; Lee Becker, sheriff; Darryl Thiesen, emergency medical services director; Diedre Serene, public health officer; and Anita Hooper of the health department.
Representing the two hospitals in Marion County were Linda Kannady, acting chief nursing officer of St. Luke Hospital & Living Center; Debbie Craig, public information officer of St. Luke Hospital; and Marsha Meyer, public information officer of Hillsboro Community Medical Center.
Susan Cooper represented Hoch Publishing Co., Inc., and its three county newspapers — Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star-Journal, and Peabody Gazette-Bulletin.
There was no representation from the Hillsboro Free Press.
Communication and coordinated efforts between county and private entities, and the media were emphasized throughout the workshop.
State and federal agencies also attended and participated in the workshop as did radio and television media.
Much of the workshop was videotaped and will be reviewed for future workshops in other parts of the country.
