Hazard Vulnerability Analysis: Practices in Boston Hospitals

Abstract

existing capacity to respond. Operational capability scores ranged from 33% (death care industry) to 77% (offices of emergency management). Resource sharing capability analysis indicated that only 42% of possible reciprocal relationships between resource-sharing partners were present. The overall cross-sector composite score was 51%; that is, half of the key capabilities for preparedness were in place. Conclusion: Results indicate that the US mass fatality infrastructure is sub-optimally prepared for MFI that exceeds 25 or fewer additional deaths in a 48-hr period. National leadership is needed to ensure sector-specific and infrastructure-wide preparedness, with a special focus on training, drills, and planning activities for large-scale or complex MFI.