Counter-Terrorism Medicine

Counter-Terrorism Medicine is a new initiative mandated by the increasingly complex and devastating terrorist attacks now escalating in frequency around the world. In this age when high-profile terrorist attacks such as those seen in Paris, Brussels, and London have become regular events, and lower-profile attacks on soft civilian targets are a nearly daily occurrence, those in healthcare must learn to be proactive rather than reactive in the steps taken to respond to the ever-changing scenarios.

It is time to define exactly what the unique mitigation, preparedness, and response measures to asymmetric, multi-modality terrorist attacks are, and how public health systems, health care facilities, and prehospital responders must learn and implement them.

Terrorist attacks often result in specific ballistic and blast-related wound patterns that put a high demand on health care personnel to care for the surge of critically injured people. In addition, both responders and health care facilities are now being targeted in either primary or secondary attacks, demanding a higher awareness of specific scene safety and target-hardening issues. Combined with the need to prepare for the very real possibility of Chemical-Biological-Radiological-Nuclear-Explosive (CBRNE) modalities being used in a future terrorist attack, these new challenges facing our hospitals and healthcare personnel must be addressed through specific Counter-Terrorism Medicine practices.

The recent surge in asymmetric attacks on major cities and transportation hubs is a health care crisis, one that is feared will only escalate. “Soft” targets are inadvertently exposed in open societies, and terrorists will continue to attack in ways designed to maximize casualties. Responders and hospitals are and will be at the forefront of caring for these patients, while also at risk of being primarily or secondarily targeted. These are the unique areas of discussion and difficult problems the CTM-SIG will tackle.

Mission: The mission of the WADEM Counter-Terrorism Medicine Special Interest Group (CTM-SIG) is to introduce this new initiative on the global stage and to foster collaboration among researchers and practitioners with an interest in the mitigation, preparedness, and response steps required in order to be proactive in the global approach to an asymmetric terrorist attack.

Purpose: The purposes of the CTM-SIG are to:

• Define specific proactive strategies in mitigation, preparedness, and response to an asymmetric terrorist attack;
• Develop and exchange scientific and professional information relevant to achieving step;
• Encourage collaborative efforts enhancing and expanding the field of CTM research.

Goals: The goals of the CTM-SIG are to:

• Develop a Counter-Terrorism Medicine declaration of cooperation;
• Network and integrate Counter-Terrorism work into WADEM activities and programs;
• Foster the professional growth of the members of the CTM-SIG;
• Train and educate researchers on the innovative practices of Counter-Terrorism Medicine