From the largest of cities to the most rural of communities, the possibility of a mass-fatality incident exists every moment of every day. Whether the mass fatality results from a manmade incident (either deliberate or accidental) or from a force of nature such as a hurricane or tornado, the needs of the affected public remain the same. Responding to a mass-fatality incident, which includes the recovery, identification, and reunification of the deceased, is one of the most difficult aspects of a disaster response. Despite the grim nature of fatality management, it is the responsibility of authorities in the jurisdiction where the incident occurs to manage the response. The need to establish recovery, morgue, and family assistance center (FAC) operations are the same in rural communities as they are in large metropolitan cities. Rural communities often find it more difficult to respond due to the lack of local infrastructure and required assets necessary to provide an adequate mass-fatality response. The goal of this awareness-level course is to teach participants the basics of mass-fatality response while providing them with the opportunities to exchange rural perceptions and brainstorm for solutions to simulated emergencies. One of the most common misconceptions regarding mass-fatality responses is that the only difference is the number of bodies that must be dealt with following a mass fatality from that of daily Coroner/medical examiner operations. This is an incorrect assumption as there are significant differences in establishing and managing a response to a mass-fatality event than that of daily coroner/medical examiner operations. This misunderstanding often leads to the lack of preparation for responding to a mass-fatality event as the need to prepare and train is not apparent. Additionally, there are numerous factors, including roles and responsibilities, asset management, remains processing and identification, diversity considerations, and the development of a mass-fatality plan; all affect the construction of a mass fatality response and the need for rural communities to appreciate the dynamics of a response effort, as well as the various agencies and organizations who may be involved. By definition, a mass fatality is an event producing a number of deaths that exceed the capacity or capability of local authorities, thereby requiring assistance from outside the local jurisdiction. Regardless of the agencies or organizations that respond, whether governmental agencies or private or non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the responsibility to coordinate and manage these outside resources rests with local authorities.

Scope

This awareness-level course is designed to provide local and county law enforcement agencies, public health managers and planners, local and regional emergency management agencies, emergency medical services, hospitals, paid or volunteer emergency planners and managers, and personnel in local and/or county emergency operations centers in rural communities with basic knowledge should a mass fatality incident impact their jurisdiction. The Mass Fatalities for Rural Communities course serves as a training tool to provide rural communities with information to manage an actual mass-fatality response and to assist in the development of a mass-fatality response plan for their jurisdiction. The process of recovery, identification, and disposition of human remains following a mass fatality event will differ from the ?normal? daily operations to which local authorities are accustomed. Understanding and appreciating these differences and the dynamics of a mass fatality will enable the rural communities to respond in an efficient manner and provide the assistance and guidance needed by the affected community.