CIVILIAN-MILITARY MASS CASUALTY INCIDENT RESPONSE TERF

Desert Willow Conference Center

March 13, 2023 | 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Breakfast between 8am and 9am. Lunch will also be provided.

The purpose of the Targeted Event Readiness Forum (TERF) is to provide an environment for exploring opportunities along the disaster response continuum. The TERF is not a disaster preparedness exercise, but instead is a facilitated discussion to foster the sharing of information.

TERF GOAL:

To discuss and identify ideas for collaboration that will lead to improved outcomes and reduced loss of life during and following real-world mass casualty incidents in Arizona.

PREMISE:

Consider that all organizations have limited resources and capabilities and that synergies and strengths can arise from collaborating with others. Consider the resources or capabilities you look for in a collaborative partner for a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) response that would enhance or support your organization. Military organizations response authority to support civilian incidents is limited by federal laws. Base commanders have an immediate response authority for the first 72 hours to support and assist local authorities when there is an immediate and significant danger to life and safety. Further authority requires escalation and activation through a formal request process.

1. By the end of the event, participants will have a better understanding of the possible collaborations between and among civilian and military organizations that may lead to improved outcomes and reduced loss of life. This will include an understanding of criteria which must be met for military involvement and a high-level understanding of the activation process.
2. By the end of the event, participants will have a clearer understanding of capabilities, capacities, processes, equipment, and restrictions of each of participating organizations.

AUDIENCE:

The task force is comprised of community leaders who have a stake in Mass Casualty response. These include representatives from the following types of organizations:

Scenarios

URBAN-WILDLAND INTERFACE FIRE

Camp Navajo was originally established as Navajo Ordnance Depot in 1942. Total construction of the facility was completed in less than one year and included 800 ammunition storage igloos, 50 administrative buildings, 227 miles of road, 38 miles of railroad track and completed utility distribution and collection systems.

The installation has been in continuous operation since 1942, to include the period from 1982 to the present date, when it has been under the operational control of the Arizona National Guard. Because of it high elevation, it contains a myriad of fuel sources that would make a wildfire a real possibility. In addition, the proximity to residential communities and the city of Flagstaff could mean that fire could encroach and threaten urban communities.

Today, a fire ignited in the center of Camp Navajo. Prevailing winds are pushing flames and the plume toward the east at a rapid rate. The area between Camp Navajo and Flagstaff, about 10 miles, is filled with heavy fuel and conditions are extremely dry and windy. Firefighters from the base are battling the fire to protect structures and other resources on the base. Numerous agencies have been called to assist with on and off base efforts.

EARTHQUAKE IN YUMA

Yuma, AZ has a high earthquake risk, with a total of 24 earthquakes since 1931. The USGS database shows that there is a 69.15% chance of a major earthquake within 50km of Yuma, AZ within the next 50 years. The largest earthquake within 30 miles of Yuma, AZ was a 6.3 Magnitude in 1980. The Algodones fault zone consists of northwest-trending predominantly normal faults located within the Yuma Desert, southeast of Yuma, on the margin of the San Andreas fault system.

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake in the Algodones fault affects Yuma on a busy holiday weekend. The earthquake destroys buildings and highways and injures hundreds. Local response capability is saturated. Resource demand exists for search and rescue operations, casualty collection point care and triage, and medical evacuation (Air transport is best option due to highway damage) to higher levels of care. The hospital is not significantly affected by the quake, however interstate 8 west of Winterhaven was destroyed and is currently impassable in both directions and available staffing at the hospital is affected due to staff not being able to travel. City and County EMS is activated but it is quickly clear that additional resources are necessary. There are two structural collapsed 4 Km from Yuma MCAS. The Governor of Arizona Declares an emergency and authorizes National Guard support while requesting additional federal support.

STADIUM BOMBING

There is always an inherent risk of nefarious actors that want to cause harm to major events and a sports stadium with thousands of occupants is a prime target. There are multiple real-world incidents both nationally and internationally that have shown us this has and will occur. Jurisdictions home to stadiums, conventions centers, and other locations go to extreme lengths to plan and exercise for such events. The impact is one that effects the Whole Community.

The intentional bombing of State Farm Stadium in Glendale on a Sunday during a Cardinals home game. major sporting venue during a big game causes panic. Forty to fifty people are injured or killed by the initial blast, but additional casualties occur during the subsequent panic to evacuate. Secondary explosive devices outside the stadium detonate about 30 minutes after the first blast and injure many of the initial first responders. Local hospitals are overwhelmed. Resource demand exists for search and rescue operations, casualty collection point care/triage and medical evacuation (air and ground).