Local law enforcement and public health organizations have prepared for a variety of scenarios on the day of the solar eclipse: road congestion, communication disruptions and burnt retinas. But the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is also preparing for a worst-case-scenario mass casualty event.
In situations such as terrorist attacks or transportation disasters, local healthcare systems and management agencies can become overwhelmed. Justin Baker, deputy director of Monroe County EMA, said the agency has been preparing for over a year.
“We found out that most of our plans are back from 2015, 2017, so they have some age to them,” he said. “We've been taking plan by plan and just making sure everything's up to date.”
Read more: Bloomington, IU leaders share safety plans for 300,000 eclipse visitors
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security urged local governments to develop mass casualty plans for the eclipse, identifying domestic attacks as a primary threat. It warned that a large event could overwhelm local hospitals, which IU Health has already planned for.
Baker said neither the National Guard nor Department of Homeland Security have notified him of any specific terror threats.
“With all the people it could be likely,” Baker said. “We are hoping for the best, but we are planning for the worst. That's what we always try to do.”
Nearby Bartholomew County prepared a “casualty collection point” for dead and injured in Columbus’s NexusPark. Instead, Monroe County is using local fire departments. They’ll also serve as “reunification centers” if families were to get separated.
Monroe County is working with other state and local agencies to coordinate responses.
Gov. Eric Holcomb declared a statewide disaster emergency from March 26 to April 9, which allows Indiana to call upon resources from its neighbors in an emergency.
Read more: Governor's ability to renew disaster declarations sharply restricted by House-approved bill
Police, fire, EMS and other agencies will run a secured emergency operations center out of the Monroe County Highway Department depot near the airport.
Baker said he’s working with IU Health LifeLine to plan ambulance service in a mass casualty event, and there are multiple communications channels for first responders.
“If anything happens, the first responders out in the field can relay information to us,” he said. “Then we can help coordinate that they get aid and resources that we may need and just kind of make sure things stay in line.”
You can sign up for Monroe County’s 2024 Eclipse Safety Message system by texting mocoeclipse to 226787.
