Due to escalating occurrences of domestic and international terrorism, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to be aware and alert to presenting symptoms that may result from such violent acts. Quick identification of the cause of suspicious symptoms can help improve rapid diagnosis and treatment for better patient outcomes.

Being trained and prepared on how to respond to chemical, biochemical, and radiation attacks on our own citizens is essential for successful outcomes and to minimize damage to individuals and the community.

Knowing what targets, protocols, and resources are unique to Nevada has justified the requirement for Nevada nurses to take a course on bioterrorism (SNHD, 2021).

Resources

Nevada Resources

Nevada Department of Health and Human Services,
Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH)
4150 Technology Way, Suite 200
Carson City, NV 89706
775 684 5948

Public Health Preparedness (PHP): 775 684 5948
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program: 775 684 3224
http://dpbh.nv.gov/Programs/PHP/PHP_-_Home/
http://dpbh.nv.gov/Programs/NVHAN/NVHAN_-_Home/

Southern Nevada Health District, Main Facility

280 S. Decatur Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89107
702 759 1000
702 759 1671 (Emergency Preparedness Office)
snhdpublicinformation@snhd.org
https://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/programs/emergency-preparedness/

Nevada Department of Business and Industry,
Division of Industrial Relations
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

http://dir.nv.gov/OSHA/Home/
Southern District Office 702 486 9054
After hours accident standby line 702 493 8764
Northern District Office 775 688 3750
After hours accident standby line 775 200 8173

Nevada Department of Public Safety,
Division of Emergency Management—Homeland Security

2478 Fairview Drive
Carson City, NV 89701
775 687 0300 (non-emergency calls)
775 687 0498 (emergency calls)
http://dem.nv.gov/Home/DEM_Home/

Federal Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30329
800 232 4636 (800 CDC INFO)
888 232 6348 (TTY)
cdcinfo@cdc.gov
https://www.cdc.gov
Emergency Preparedness and Response:
https://emergency.cdc.gov/

Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS)

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE)
PO Box 117, MS-39, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
865 576 3131
865 576 1005 (24-hour emergency [ask for REAC/TS])
https://orise.orau.gov/reacts
Video on post-exposure protocol: https://orise.orau.gov/reacts/

Ready.gov

Guidelines on social media: How to build a home kit for emergency preparedness

https://www.ready.gov/

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),
Radiation Emergency Medical Management (REMM)

https://www.remm.nlm.gov

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

https://www.dhs.gov