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September 11, 2004

Do Not Ask For Whom the Bell Tolls

Dear Colleagues,

While acts of terrorism with major consequences have continued to occur elsewhere in the world, the continental U.S. has largely been unaffected since September 11, 2001, despite many recent warnings. We therefore risk becoming complacent, figuring that the steps taken at the federal and local levels have truly decreased, if not outright eliminated, large scale terrorism threats. This view is reinforced inadvertently by the lack of any untoward events following national security alerts, which have become a frequent fact of life. Such a lack of vigilance and appropriate preparedness can become a tool for those who would do us harm.

Many sectors in the country, particularly those likely to be targets, are in fact better prepared than three years ago. We have only scratched the surface, however. CEPAR continues to help the enterprise and our region better prepare for responses to disasters — both man-made and natural — that could have a mass impact on public health. In particular, we continue to develop and expand training programs, hold and evaluate drills, update disaster plans, improve and test surge capacity concepts, review and adopt appropriate novel technologies, and reach mutual aid agreements with other allied health, government and military agencies. Most important, we are working on approaches that would best protect our staff and families during disasters. To learn about some of our most recent efforts, look at the latest issue of Hopkins on Alert, which is available at locations around the enterprise, as well as online.

Recently, hospitals and health facilities themselves have been identified as potential terror targets. Unthinkable? Until last week, it was unthinkable that children would be the main targets of terrorists — yet that is what they became in Russia.

Thus, it is important to remain focused, particularly when local threats may appear to lessen. Each and every member of the Hopkins community has a meaningful role both in prevention and, should we then require it, in response. On the CEPAR Intranet site,you can find information on institutional disaster plans for the various entities. All employees should be aware of their individual and department’s role in a disaster. In addition, each of us as individuals should have a personal, family disaster plan. Information on these can be found on the Red Cross Web site.

Each time a federal or local alert is given, CEPAR evaluates its nature, monitors developments and determines whether or not the Hopkins Institutions need to take specific steps. Since all of us are involved, however, it is wise to remember: “Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.”

Gabor D. Kelen, M.D.
Director, Johns Hopkins Office of
Critical Event Prepardeness and Response
Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine
Johns Hopkins Medicine