Utilizing HAZUS and PACER SURGE to map and characterize hospitals in Illinois within the New Madrid seismic zone

• Main Authors: Matthew Stumpf, Apostolis Sambanis, Michael Cailas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-12-01
• Series: Progress in Disaster Science
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590061719300481

Purpose: To highlight the need for utilizing disaster software to aid hospitals for disaster preparedness, specifically an earthquake occurring in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ). The NMSZ is an active fault in central United States that is currently at a relatively high risk of experiencing a significant earthquake within the next 50 years. Results: Using the HAZUS mapping software, 40 healthcare facilities in Illinois were identified that fall within the NMSZ. Using the National Center for the Study of Preparedness and Catastrophic Event Response (PACER) SURGE software, it was determined that those healthcare facilities have a surge capacity of 272 people. Discussion: Healthcare facilities could benefit from preparing more for high likely disaster events, such as an earthquake in the NMSZ. A surge capacity of 272 people only accounts for a very small percentage of the population of this area, and it therefore may be important to increase hospital capacity for such an event. Hospitals can also invest in improving their infrastructure to reduce damages and potential loss of life. Keywords: New Madrid seismic zone, Healthcare facility, Disaster preparedness