COTEP on Cutting Edge of Disaster Management

The Committee on Trauma and Emergency Preparedness (COTEP) was established by ASA as a result of the events of September 11, 2001. Terrorist attacks were repeated in America on April 15, 2013 at the finish line of the Boston Marathon when two improvised explosive devices detonated. Shortly after the Boston bombing, a series of chemical explosions (fertilizer storage and distribution facility in Waco, Texas; petrochemical plant in Geismar and a nitrogen production plant in Donaldsonville, both in Louisiana) and numerous natural disasters have occurred, causing catastrophic damage on U.S. soil. In a public health emergency, such as a bioterrorism attack or catastrophic natural disaster, health care facilities and hospitals will be required to triage and provide medical treatment to many individuals. Since its inception, COTEP has gained valuable insight into preparing for such events and developing the roles of anesthesiologists in these situations. In fact, it is COTEP’s mission to...