The San Francisco Examiner -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 4/5/2002
Last Visited: 4/5/2002
"People think that because there hasn't been a terrorist attack in a little while that we're OK and we can relax," said Emergency Medical Services director John Brown."That's not true.The threat is still out there."
Brown said his department is battling hundreds of other departments for scarce federal, state and local funds, with little to show for the effort.
· None of the recommended 10 tactical suits, self-contained breathing apparatus and air purifying respirators have been purchased.
· Only 10 of the 30 required radio sets for ambulances have been received.
· One of two full-time job vacancies remains unfilled in the EMS's Metropolitan Medical Response System.
Not all the news is bad, however, as one key position in DPH's communicable disease control unit was filled, albeit in a part-time capacity, and a grant for Palm Pilots -- to be distributed to emergency workers in the event of a terrorist strike -- was awarded.
"We would also like to have several full-scale medical conferences to train people how to deal with a weapons of mass destruction hit," Brown said."But we still don't have the funding."
Nor, at this stage, have funds been allocated for two proposed helipads in San Francisco -- a vital component of The City's terrorism response plan, given that no landing areas exist outside of San Francisco International Airport.
Ideally, Brown said, the DPH would have access to a helipad near S.F. General Hospital, as well as one in the vicinity of the Presidio to transport patients.A feasibility study is under way, and construction costs are estimated at $2 million.
"I'm satisfied that we are steadily working towards our goal, but obviously I would like to see it happen faster," Brown said, adding that had there been other attacks after Sept. 11, his department would have been given priority.
Department funding aside, advances in other areas have been made.
In late January, the Hayward-based 95th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team -- a 22-man unit responsible for dealing with chemical and/or biological weapons and coordinating response plans -- was officially certified.
Additionally, plans for a disaster control center are under way on 12th Street, while some of The City's key disaster-response personnel have completed training programs.