STORY: "Three things are now happening: responders are securing the scene, putting out the fires and treating causalities in the field and at hospitals," said Guillermo Pierluisi, M.D., associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and associate director of medical response for UAB's Center for Disaster Preparedness.
WHAT: As of now the National Disaster Medical System has not been activated, which means cities have not requested medical assistance from the federal government. New York City and Washington, D.C., are well prepared to respond to an incident of this magnitude. Local fire services, which include emergency medical services in both cities, are responding and controlling the scene. New York City, with the collapse of the second tower, may need to request federal rescue assistance to look for survivors and recover bodies. If so, federal resources such as Urban Search and Rescue Teams and Disaster Mortuary Teams may be activated. Local agencies in Washington, D.C., should be able to handle the situation there."
"Injuries that are most likely being treated are blast related injuries -- contusions, concussions, fractures, injuries to internal organs, burn-related injuries, asphyxiation from smoke inhalation and injuries sustained from falls from high altitudes."
CALL: Joy Carter, Media Relations, 205-934-1676 or [email protected]. After hours, call 205-934-3411 and ask for the Media Relations person on call.
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NOTE: We are the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Please use UAB on second reference. We are not to be confused with the University of Alabama, which is a separate, independent campus.
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