A Major Train Accident Tests Contingency Plans and a Statewide EMS System

Abstract

international cooperation is mandatory. The Japanese Association for Acute Medicine submitted the idea of the JMTDR to the Japanese government. The purpose of JMTDR is to dispatch medical relief teams immediately to disaster-stricken areas in the developing countries, mainly in Asia. The term "disaster" for JMTDR is limited to natural disasters. This idea was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Cabinet Meeting and was approved and authorized as one of the governmental organizations on March 5th, 1982. Since that time, Japan has sent the JMTDR to six countries, i.e., Ethiopia (Famine), Mexico (Earthquake), Columbia (Eruption of Nevado Del Ruiz and alluvion), Cameroon (Volcanic gas asphyxia), El Salvador (Earthquake), and Solomon (Cyclone). We analyzed the reports by the team leaders. Each complained of the lack of their own air transport capability. To use Self-Defence Airforce craft to overseas locations is not yet approved by the general public. This restrained us from carrying heavy equipment and vehicles and we were compelled to waste time and bear psychological burdens. In conclusion, however, JMTDR could help the exhausted local medical staffs in several occasions.