Courtesy Photo | Edward P. Wyatt Jr., principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for health...... read more read more
Defense Department health care professionals are preparing to respond to a terrorist or weapons of mass destruction attack anywhere in the world,
Edward P. Wyatt Jr., principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, spoke to reporters here recently and highlighted what DoD is doing with the Department of Health and Human Services and local, state and federal agencies engaged in preparing for response to attacks in the homeland.
Wyatt said coordinated efforts include research and development and procurement. And, importantly, he remarked, these collaborative initiatives involve local- level training and exercising with state and local authorities to ensure all understand how to best integrate resources to address an emergency or contingency situation.
He said people in some circles believe the military could quickly organize and move large assets into areas in response to disasters, terrorist attacks and natural catastrophes, such as earthquakes. This is a military function under the Federal Response Plan, he said, and military health units would be made available if possible.
He said local authorities' planning drives the help the military and other federal agencies can deliver to local first-responders when and where disaster strikes.
"The challenge is to integrate what's happening at those local and state level activities into what might be potential support from the military health care system," he said.
Calling DoD's health care professionals "well prepared and practiced," Wyatt said they train with local fire departments, rescue response teams and others on how they respond to emergencies in local communities.
Story by Rudi Williams, American Forces Press Service
| Date Taken: | 10.25.2002 |
| Date Posted: | 07.04.2025 00:19 |
| Story ID: | 528642 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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