title: The breakdown of an emergency system following a gas explosion in Osaka and the subsequent resolution of problems.
abstract: Osaka, a modern urban metropolis in Japan, experienced a tragic gas explosion in 1970 when the dispatch room of the City Fire Department was in the process of being moved to a new building. Many unforseen problems arose during this disaster: eg, there was an overall lack of leadership, confusion of communication, a need for triage, and lack of control of mass media. The Osaka Medical Association organized a committee to resolve these problems. Their conclusions and recommendations were that a control headquarters be established at the scene of disaster, the number of ambulances and EMTs be increased, disaster tags be utilized, a special radio frequency be created, and a computer-aided command and control system for fire fighting and ambulance services be introduced. These recommendations have all been followed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002056:Burns / Q000401:mortality; D002648:Child; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005107:Explosions; D005260:Female; D005579:Fossil Fuels; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D005579:Fossil Fuels