The attacks on September 11, 2001 put the idea of State Regional Response concepts for weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in the Federal Government. Approximately, 1 year after the 9-11 attack. The Federal government started providing training and funding to State and Local jurisdiction to better prepare for next terrorists attack on our homeland.

In late 2002, State of Indiana through Office of the State Fire Marshal (now an agency within the Indiana Department of Homeland Security) distributed FT/IR Spectrometers, highly sophisticated analysis devices that can identify any unknown substances including WMD agents. Agencies that were assigned the FT/IR became regional Render Safe Teams designed to respond to possible WMD threats.

During 2003, the regional task force concept emerged from local responders, Terre Haute Fire Department, Greencastle Fire Department, and Vigo Agencies of Emergency Response (VCAER) representative started monthly meeting to discuss creation of Regional WMD Response Teams based on the State’s WMD Task Force Strategic Plan. 10 State Homeland Security Regions were based on Indiana State Board of Health Regions. Region 7 is comprised of 8 counties.

From April to September of 2004 , equipment was purchased to equip emergency responders with Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) certified equipment including trailers, decontamination units, protective suits, and detective devices.

Also during this time, Task Force’s Standard Operating Guidelines as well as administrative guidelines were developed.

In the fall of 2004, the first Multi-disciplinary meeting was held in Greencastle, Indiana. The meeting included representative from Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, Hospital, Health Departments, EMA, and others.

Today, Task Force 7 continues it’s monthly Multi-disciplinary meeting with representatives from 8 counties in the Region 7.

REGION 7 COUNTIES

Clay, Green, Owen, Park, Putnam,

Sullivan, Vermillion, & Vigo

DIVISIONS OF TASK FORCE 7

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

• Provides triage, out-of-hospital emergency medical care, and patient stabilization. Transportation of patients to appropriate definitive medical care facilities.

Emergency Management Agencies (EMA)

• Tasked with the responsibilities for their county’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan to maintain a reliable and effective response to a large scale events such as WMD incidents, Epidemiological emergencies, and natural disasters.

Hospitals

• Provide definitive care for patients, treat and release minor injuries and illness. Handling Mass Casualty Incidents resulting from WMD. Provide special services such as surgical intervention, intensive care, and emergency medicine.

Health Departments

• Respond to epidemiological events. Provide laboratory analysis for biological agents. Identifies outbreak of diseases including Biological attacks. Plans for and implements mass prophylaxis.