VOLUME 13, NUMBER 01 • SEPTEMBER 21, 2001

September 11, 2001:
University Reacts to Terrorist Attack on New York City
Disaster Plans Buffer Some of the Impact

It was a terrifying day. But on Tues., Sept. 11, the Rockefeller University's disaster preparedness supported the innate ability of the Rockefeller community to pull together in crisis and distress. In addition to the university's overall emergency plan, activated by Senior Director of Security Joe Nekola in conjunction with President Arnold J. Levine, numerous offices at Rockefeller University implemented their plans in order to aid the university, its employees and the city community.

In the event of a city disaster, The Rockefeller University Hospital can open its facilities to the surrounding neighborhood to provide medical support, including limited emergency services. So, very early on Tuesday, Emil Gotschlich, vice president of medical sciences, and James Krueger, medical director, met with the hospital leadership team to discuss disaster plans. Barry Coller, the new physician-in-chief of Rockefeller's hospital, joined the discussion after meeting in President Levine's office regarding the university-wide response.

As the campus community absorbed the news being broadcast on television, the university administration began implementing Rockefeller's disaster plans.

After confirming that all current hospital inpatients were stable, and that there would be enough provisions and staff to care for these patients during the disaster, the hospital leadership team focused on what the hospital could do to help in the community, says Gotschlich. Krueger then alerted New York-Presbyterian Hospital's Emergency Services that Rockefeller's hospital would devote as many beds as possible to New York-Presbyterian Hospital patients in stable condition, in order to allow the hospital to free beds for people injured by the terrorist attack at the World Trade Center. Rockefeller's hospital was ultimately not needed for this purpose, but was nevertheless completely prepared to assist New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Coller has called a meeting of hospital leadership for Fri., Sept. 21, to review and modify the hospital's disaster plan based upon the experience gained during last week's crisis.

The Office of Laboratory Safety and Environmental Health's disaster plan responds to fire, natural occurrences and chemical and biological hazards. Director Amy Wilkerson confirms that here on campus there were no problems whatsoever on Tuesday related to environmental health and safety.

She adds that approximately three years ago, she participated in the university's revision of its emergency plan to respond to acts of terrorism, specifically bio-terrorism. In addition, the university has sophisticated response guidelines to oil spills, asbestos and other possible hazards. [The City of New York's Department of Health confirmed that there is currently no evidence of biologic, radiologic or chemical attack following the attack on the World Trade Center.]

The university's office of Communications and Public Affairs helps coordinate news and information during crises to the campus and the community. As a result, information this week about temporary housing for stranded employees, emotional support and counseling, and city transportation and safety was available in the library's Welch Hall and via x7200.