ashes, ashes, we all fall lou romig md, faap, facep miami children’s hospital fl-5 dmat
TRANSCRIPT
Ashes, ashes, we all fall
Lou Romig MD, FAAP, FACEPMiami Children’s HospitalFL-5 DMAT
Kobe Japan 1995
The New
Madrid Seismic
Zone
NMSZ
120 miles long, from Missouri to Arkansas
Crosses 5 state lines Crosses the Mississippi River in
three places and the Ohio River in two
Geology of the area results in force transmission over an area 20x greater than West Coast quakes
New Madrid Quakes 1811-12
Three major quakes estimated around 8 on the Richter scale, more than 10x stronger than the Great San Francisco earthquake
More than 2000 shocks over a 5 month period
18 of the shocks rang church bells in Boston
Damage in 8 states Death toll uncertain (100+)
The Future Along the New Madrid
Greatest earthquake risk in the US after the West Coast
6.0 or greater shock ~ every 80 years. Last one in 1895.
>90% probability of a 6.0-7.6 event before 2040
7.5 or greater shock ~ every 200-300 years. The last ones in 1812.
~ 7% probability of a major quake in the next 50 years
7.5 quake along the New Madrid
Damage expected in at least 20 states, > 1,000,000 sq miles
Tremors felt over half the US Catastrophic damage in Memphis and
St Louis Unreinforced masonry structures
demolished Damage estimates in the 12 figure
dollar range
7.5 quake along the New Madrid
Disruption of transportation routes for the entire country – road, rail, river, air
Disruption of energy supplies for much of the country (LP gas trunk lines)
Likely that everyone in the US will be affected directly or indirectly
7.5 quake along the New Madrid
Flooding Fires Landslides Sand blows Contamination and disruption of
water supplies Haz-mat releases
7.5 quake along the New Madrid
10 million homeless
500,000 injured
20,000 - 80,000 deaths
6 Children’s Hospitals in Memphis and St. Louis alone
Are you prepared for disasters as individuals and families?
Is your parent facility prepared for a disaster?
Does your team have it’s own disaster plan?
Staff Equipment Priorities before, during, after
Has your facility and team done everything possible to join disaster resource networks before a disaster ever happens?
Do you know what you may be getting yourselves into as responders?
Some harder questions…
How much risk is your parent facility willing to let you take?
How much of a financial commitment is your facility willing to make?
Is your team prepared to function independently, providing most of your own supplies and support?
Is your team adequately trained to do scene work in potentially dangerous environments? Discipline vs. risk-taking
Are you physically and psychologically prepared to work in austere, dangerous conditions? How much risk are you willing to take?
Does your family support you in your role as a responder?
The questions need to be asked.
You won’t find the answers in a book.
Never add to a disaster.
Be honest about your capabilities and your commitment.
Every disaster response will be a life-changing experience.
