MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS FOR A TERRORIST INCIDENT INVOLVING CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL AGENTS DURING THE 1996 ATLANTA OLYMPIC GAMES

During the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, unpreced ented preparations were undertaken to cope with the health consequence s of a terrorist incident involving chemical or biological agents. Loc al, state, federal, and military resources joined to establish a speci alized incident assessment team and science and technology center. Cri tical antimicrobials and antidotes were strategically stockpiled. Firs t-responders received specialized training, and local acute care capab ilities were supplemented. Surveillance systems were augmented and str engthened. However, this extensive undertaking revealed a number of cr itical issues that must be resolved if our nation is to successfully c ope with an attack of this nature. Emergency preparedness in this comp lex arena must be based on carefully conceived priorities. Improved ca pabilities must be developed to rapidly recognize an incident and char acterize the agents involved, as well as to provide emergency decontam ination and medical care. Finally, capabilities must be developed to r apidly implement emergency public health interventions and adequately protect emergency responders.