Mass fatality incident response plan for the Allegheny County medical examiner's office
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Authors
Smith, Alesia M.
Issue Date
2011
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Forensic science
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to develop a mass fatality incident response plan for the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office (ACOME). The problem was that the ACOME did not have a comprehensive plan to implement an organized mass fatality response. This research determined the need for a mass fatality incident plan, revealed a systematic command and control structure, and provided necessary elements of the incident response plan.
Survey research and qualitative analysis of existing mass fatality plans were used to develop a strategy for implementing an organized fatality response by the ACOME. An internal survey was conducted to determine if ACOME employees support the development of a mass fatality incident response plan. An external survey of Pennsylvania Medical Examiner/Coroners (ME/Cs) was conducted to determine if other mass fatality plans existed and if they utilize the incident command system. This researcher was particularly interested in what type of preplanned arrangements exist to obtain support assets; whether ME/Cs have access to adequate logistical support at the local, state, and federal levels; how often ME/Cs are involved in planning exercises; and if ME/C staff have been provided training appropriate to their level of response.
The results of the survey research and qualitative analysis of existing mass fatality incident response plans gave a framework for which to build a comprehensive plan for the ACOME. The recommendations of this researcher are for the ACOME to test the plan developed from this research, arrange official agreements with outside agencies to acquire logistical support, provide training for staff, and practice the plan often with key stakeholders.