"In a terrorist attack, rapid response is critical. This hands-on resource, written by leading international experts, prepares your emergency medical teams to act with confidence in a large-scale emergency. In-depth coverage describes specific agents and threats, emphasizes rapid diagnosis of exposure, and details effective interventions - including prevention of secondary contamination of health care workers." "Chemical, biologic, toxicologic, nuclear, and explosive threats are each addressed using a systematic format that includes background, triage, decontamination, signs and symptoms, and medical management. The second half of the book covers preparedness - including issues specific to hospitals, communities, emergency medical services, and the media."--Jacket

Chemical nerve agents / Daniel C. Keyes -- Vesicating agents including mustard and Lewisite / Stacey L. Hail and Daniel C. Keyes -- Cyanide / Rebeca Gracia -- Phosgene and toxic gases / Melissa L. Givens -- Incapacitating agents: BZ, calmative agents, and riot control agents / John Gomez and Yedidia Bentur -- Anthrax / Anthony J. Carbone -- Plague / Anthony J. Carbone -- Smallpox / Lisa Rotz, Inger Damon, and Joanne Cono -- Viral hemorrhagic fevers / Erik J. Won and Anthony J. Carbone -- Lesser known biological agents and potential threats / Teriggi J. Ciccone and Seric S. Cusick -- Botulinum: the most toxic substance known / Robert Abar Timmons and Anthony J. Carbone. Toxins / Sophia Dyer and Stephen Traub -- Types of radiation: basic theory explained for the nonphysicist / Greene Shepherd -- Detection of nuclear radiation / Keith Edsall and Daniel C. Keyes -- Personal protection and decontamination for radiation emergencies / Keith Edsall and Daniel C. Keyes -- Treatment of radiation exposure and contamination / Keith Edsall and Daniel C. Keyes -- Radiation dispersal devices, dirty bombs, and nonconventional radiation exposure / Madison Patrick, Keith Edsall, and Daniel C. Keyes -- Detonation of a nuclear device / Cham E. Dallas -- Nuclear power plant disasters / Wilfredo Rivera -- Types of explosions and explosive injuries defined / Adam Miller and Richard Linsky. Structure collapse, extrication, crush syndrome, and rhabdomyolysis / Adam H. Miller -- Introduction to all-hazards preparedness and planning for terrorism / Adam H. Miller [and others] -- Scene preparedness / Marc Eckstein and Ray Fowler -- Hospital preparedness / Kathy J. Rinnert and Daniel C. Keyes -- Community public health preparedness / Scott F. Wetterhall, and Darren F. Collins -- Mass gathering preparedness / Carl Menckhoff, and Michael Shaw -- Federal, state, regional, and local resource access and utilization / David W. Gruber -- Personal protective equipment / Joshua G. Schier and Robert S. Hoffman -- All-hazards approach to decontamination / Richard N. Bradley -- Detection, prediction, and surveillance / Warren L. Whitlock and Gay Dews Thompson. Health care facilities and interagency communication during terrorism / Raymond L. Fowler [and others] -- Media and communications preparedness for terrorist events / Raymond L. Fowler, Paul E. Pepe, Paul E. Moore -- Exercises and educational courses in terrorism preparedness / Myra M. Socher and Edwin K. Leap -- Technology applications in preparedness training / Timothy D. Peterson -- Strategic response to explosive and traumatic terrorism / Brian A. Krakover -- The forensic evaluation of gunshot wounds associated with a terrorist event / William S. Smock -- Homeland security / F. Marion Cain III and Gary L. Holt -- The role of military medicine in civilian disaster response / Brian A. Krakover -- Law enforcement related agencies / William Fabbri and Nelson Tang. Psychological impact of terrorism / Gregory Luke Larkin, Jay Woody, and Cynthia Claassen -- Being a child in the midst of terrorism / Richard Aghababian [and others] -- Agricultural terrorism and its implication on the health care system / Timothy Rupp and Shane Zatkalik -- Mass fatality incidents / Lynn Roppolo and Kathy Rinnert -- Cyberterrorism / Brian Krakover.