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A mass fatality event occurs when the number of dead overwhelms the local healthcare system and morgue facilities. Whether the event is natural or man-made, a jurisdiction’s disaster preparedness plans should involve portable mobile morgues and refrigerated trailers as part of a proper and comprehensive disaster response, whatever the death toll may be.
Disaster Mortuary Surge
What are the Biggest Challenges for First Responders in a Mass Fatality Incident?
No specific manner of death or number of fatalities defines a mass fatality incident. According to the National Association of Medical Examiners, a mass fatality incident is defined as “any incident resulting in more decedents to be recovered than can be managed in the local Medical Examiner/Coroner jurisdiction.” This broad definition can cover anything from a mass shooting or a weather event like Hurricane Katrina to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Keep in mind that mass fatality and mass casualty are two different things. But what is the difference between a mass fatality incident and a mass casualty incident?
Harris County Texas Obtains Portable Morgue
Harris County Texas recently acquired a portable morgue unit to help them manage victims in a mass casualty incident. It’s the first of its kind in the state, and allows a fully functioning morgue to be … Read More
Top Products That Other Emergency Preparedness Directors Utilize
Have you ever wondered about which disaster response products other emergency preparedness directors are ordering in order to ensure that their community is well-prepared in the event of a disaster? Here at Penn Care, we deal … Read More
Considerations for Disaster Mortuary Response
Whether you’ve ever thought about it or not, properly caring for and identifying remains is a critical element of emergency preparedness. Penn Care Vice President, Don Bloom, specializes in developing mass fatality plans. Don is the … Read More
