Insight Matters
Winter, 2002

OPA Prepares Disaster Plan

On September 11, 2001, the terrorists dealt a mighty blow to our fellow colleagues, their families, friends, and patients in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. The Ohio Psychiatric Association extended condolences to those wounded in this horrific act. OPA remains committed to maintaining and improving our own disaster readiness in Ohio.

OPA Disaster Committee membership includes psychiatrists from local chapters throughout Ohio, to provide statewide geographic coverage with a devoted group that continuously receives through Internet, and locally distributed, mental health disaster planning information.

Disaster Committee goals and objectives update as follows:

I. Determine Ohio psychiatry resources available in case of disaster. A survey was designed and sent to all OPA members to determine crisis response resources in Ohio, initiating: 1) Call-down list of volunteers interested in receiving crisis training and helping in future disasters; 2) Duration of psychiatric disaster services availability for volunteers; and 3) Disaster preparedness of volunteers. Survey results are currently being analyzed, as there were problems with the first mailing including all members, per individual complaints. Further individuals who come to the attention of Council members should be directed to the attention of OPA for address correction.

II. Promote mental health disaster education and training in Ohio, with mechanism to:
1) Inform members regarding disaster preparedness in Ohio: An article on mental health disaster planning was published in the last OPA Insight Matters. Dr. Sherman attended several trainings designed to update and integrate disaster didactics, such as "BioTerrorism: Are Hospitals Prepared?" on November 20, 2001, facilitated by Lt. Governor O'Connor.
2) Communicate to members regarding training for disaster debriefing and crisis counseling. A list of trainings will be distributed.
3) Develop CME programming, chapter rounds, potential speakers/topics for OPA members
4) Formulate recommendations to psychiatric training programs for required disaster curriculum
5) Educate community in disaster preparedness to enhance secondary prevention during disaster. OPA members created and participated in the October 1, 2001 Grand Rounds at Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare, After the Terrorist Strike: Getting Back to Mental Health in Central Ohio, introduced by ODMH Director Michael Hogan, Ph.D. In addition, on January 10, Jerry Coe, New Horizons Radio Talk, hosted Dr. Sherman for a one-hour radio show on mental health issues in terrorism.
6) Educate general disaster/terrorism planners regarding the critical importance of mental health involvement in each state of planning and response. On January 23, Governor Taft gave the initial introduction and welcome Dr. Nick Baird, Upcoming State of Ohio Security Task Force events Lt. Governor O'Connor facilitated the Business and Industry Security Forum, with stated goals to: increase awareness of security factors and safety needs to Ohio communities and business; identify resources available from state and local government and the private sector; and coordinate efforts of law enforcement, government and business. In addition, OPA members participating in disaster or terrorism forums continued to advocate for mental health presence in the planning for disaster and terrorism, as at the APIC Bioterrorism teleconference linking 1650 participants.

III. Develop a structure for communicating resources and other disaster response entities during a disaster/aftermath to:
1) Describe imminent linkages during disaster with other disaster response bodies
  a) OPA representation has remained on the ODMH Disaster Committee.
  b) To increase disaster knowledge and awareness, Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services initiated a National Summit, "When Terror Strikes: Addressing the Nation's Mental Health & Substance Abuse Needs - Strengthening the Homeland Through Recovery, Resilience & Readiness," held on November 14-16, 2001, in New York City. Dale Svendsen, M.D., ODMH Medical Director and Ohio team leader, led a team gathered from education, substance abuse, families, children service, health, and faith-based communities. OPA has consulted to the team in their report to Governor Taft on the New York summit.
  c) In December, OPA Chair was invited by Mary DiOrio, M.D., M.P.H. Medical Epidemiologist, ODH, to participate in the Health Alert Network (HAN). HAN provides a communications link regarding disaster/terrorism/bioterrorism between the Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention, the Ohio Department of Health, local health departments, hospitals, and medical specialties. Functions include communication transmissions to members in education and planning, as well as participation in HAN conference calls during critical events, such as an act of bioterrorism. HAN provides this vital linkage.
  d) Through OPA communications with Kenneth S. Thompson, M.D., chair, AACP Disaster Committee, OPA stays updated regarding their proposal for a joint CMHS/AACP working meeting "Preparing Community Psychiatrists to Participate in Planning for Terrorism and Other Mass Casualty Events: Developing a Blueprint for Action," a plan for community psychiatrists to be front-line responders to disaster situations. Through ongoing linkage, the Ohio plan will both gain from the expertise of others, as well as share strengths.
2) Link direct psychiatric services to primary and secondary victims during disaster;
3) Design community education for secondary prevention during disaster. OPA disaster committee members have been present at community educational forums such as the OSU "Coping With Disaster Town Hall Meeting on November 13. In addition, Sam Hibbs in assisting ODJFS in developing child guidelines, "Talking to Kids About Terrorism," consulted with Dr. Sherman, Chair OPA Disaster Committee.
4) Enhance the OPA website to include relevant disaster information and references
5) Develop media package/"sound bits" for distribution and use during disaster. With the Internet and hard copy distribution, the OPA disaster committee continues to distribute disaster educational tools developed by organizations such as APA, OHA and ODH.

As we have accepted in our changed routines in security and planning areas, disaster preparedness, led partially by the OPA in Ohio, continues to become a way of life, to minimize future damage, and maximize mental health.

Marion Sherman, M.D., Chair, Ad Hoc Committee on Disaster Psychiatry

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