title: Developing a regional recovery framework.
abstract: A biological attack would present an unprecedented challenge for local, state, and federal agencies, the military, the private sector, and individuals on many fronts, ranging from vaccination and treatment to prioritization of cleanup actions to waste disposal. To prepare for recovery from this type of incident, the Seattle Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) partners collaborated with military and federal agencies to develop a regional recovery framework. The goal was to identify key information that will assist policymakers and emergency managers in shortening the timeline for recovery and minimizing the economic and public health impacts of a catastrophic anthrax attack. Based on discussions in workshops, tabletop exercises, and interviews with local, state, federal, military, and private sector entities responsible for recovery, the authors identified goals, assumptions, and concepts of operation for various areas to address critical issues the region will face as recovery progresses. Although the framework is specific to a catastrophic, wide-area biological attack using anthrax, it was designed to be flexible and scalable so it could also serve as the recovery framework for an all-hazards approach in other regions and jurisdictions. Benefits from this process include enhanced coordination and collaboration across agencies, a more thorough understanding of the anthrax threat, an opportunity to proactively consider long-term recovery, and a better understanding of the specific policy questions requiring resolution.
authors: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Northwest Regional Technology Center, 1100 Dexter Ave. North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. ann.lesperance@pnl.gov
authors: Ann M
authors: AM
authors: Lesperance
authors: Jarrod
authors: J
authors: Olson
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Stein
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Clark
authors: Heather
authors: H
authors: Kelly
authors: Jim
authors: J
authors: Sheline
authors: Grant
authors: G
authors: Tietje
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Williamson
authors: Jody
authors: J
authors: Woodcock
mesh_terms: D000881:Anthrax / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001408:Bacillus anthracis; D055885:Biohazard Release / Q000517:prevention & control*; D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000517:prevention & control; D003666:Decontamination; D004189:Disaster Planning; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D006801:Humans; D009111:Local Government; D012308:Risk Management; D013997:Time Factors; D014504:Urban Health; D014861:Washington