Homeland Defense Journal - January 2009 - 23

issues, including mass casualty preparedness and response. The megacommunity concept directly supports mission integration in its technological, operational, cultural, budgetary, management, and policy elements, all of which are required for producing holistic solutions. Booz Allen specializes in medical surge support planning and modeling that focuses on the value of immediate response in those ﬁrst few “golden” hours of a mass casualty event. We empower senior leaders, decision makers and planners of business, government and civil society (nonproﬁts. religious centers, schools, etc.) to effectively address the complex issues surrounding mass casualty events and responses. We begin by fostering a dialogue of ideas, which ultimately culminates in solutions applicable to all hazards environments. The complexities inherent in mass casualty events are such that no one organization alone can address all of its facets in either the preparation or response stages. Our approach to Mass Casualty and Response capability is built upon a framework that encourages collective and collaborative dialogue with diverse emergency planning and response stakeholders, across multiple communities. We identify those areas in which priorities and responsibilities align, and we determine how they should be synchronized. We recognize the gaps and challenges that exist in mass casualty care, including the insufﬁciencies of: medical personnel training, stock pile supplies, supply chain management and personnel readiness. Our experiences have furnished an understanding of the critical need for streamlined coordination among stakeholders. “Our vision for the Forum is to gather together thought leaders in the Megacommunity model to consider the problems and challenges of mass casualty care in the event of an all hazards event,” said Mike Connors, an Executive Advisor with Booz Allen. Connors went on to say that, “the value added in our Mass Casualty services cannot be measured in metrics, but rather represents the synergies derived from the integration of ideas and best practices generated by senior thought leaders, and their ability to leverage and translate those ideas into emerging trends and best practices in mass casualty preparedness and response efforts.” Booz Allen facilitates discussions designed to identify and analyze current challenges and gaps in mass casualty preparedness, care and response. We focus on developing concrete solutions and strategies to strengthen and leverage partnership, negotiation and communication among the public, civic, private, and NGO stakeholders. We utilize a case study model tailored to client needs that facilitates critical thinking around the complexity and depth of coordination of mass casualty care. Whenever or whatever disaster or mass casualty event occurs, community and local response is the key to survival for communities. Being prepared requires a collective and collaborative approach to ﬁnding answers. Booz Allen provides a unique approach to Mass Casualty Response and Recovery that enables stakeholders to take a hard look at just how “prepared” they are for an all-hazard, catastrophic incident, and to develop lasting solutions to the toughest challenges of emergency management planning. n Joan Bishop is a Senior Associate with Booz Allen Hamilton Visit www.homelanddefensejournal.com Homeland Defense Journal | 21

Homeland Defense Journal - January 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Homeland Defense Journal - January 2009