Post 9/11 Part 3: Preparing for Mass Casualty Incidents

Fire Chief Greg Cassell has been with the Clark County Fire Department since 1989. Prior to his appointment to the position of fire chief in 2015, he served as a firefighter/paramedic, fire engineer, captain, and battalion chief. He has extensive background in USAR and technical rescue operations, training, and program development. Chief Cassell has participated in many different working groups that have collectively brought about change related to how the fire departments in Southern Nevada interact with each other on a daily basis. He has lectured nationally on several topics related to command and control, high-rise fire operations, and, most recently, on the benefits of forming relationships with local law enforcement agencies. Chief Cassell is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and completed the IAFC’s Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FESDI) program in 2016. He has two bachelor’s degrees from Colorado State University.

Chief Otto Drozd, III is the Fire Chief for Seminole County Fire Rescue in central Florida. He began his career in the fire service with the Hialeah Fire Department, worked his way up the ranks, eventually becoming HFD’s fire chief in 2001. Additionally, he has served as the fire chief for El Paso Fire Department and Orange County Fire Rescue before taking his current position with SCFR. 

Division Medical Director Fire Department City of New York/Office of Medical Affairs. FDNY/EMS Medical Director for the Bronx/Division 7. Emergency Medicine physician. Medical Director New York City Emergency Management. Born, educated and raised in NYC. A faculty member of the Long Island Jewish/Northwell International Global Health Fellowship and FDNY Emergency Medical Service Fellowship.

Medical Director and a Task Force Leader for New York City FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Task Force 1. Multiple disaster responses: Oklahoma City Bombing, Olympic venues (Atlanta, Utah), Hurricane Katrina, Columbia Shuttle Disaster, Humberto Vidal Explosion and Building Collapse in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic Hurricane relief, Haiti Earthquake, Hurricane Mathew, and Hurricane Maria Response to Puerto Rico. Participated in the FDNY 911 WTC response and rescue operations.

Taught and presented Disaster Medicine/Management and Response around the world. To such countries as: Brazil, India, Germany, England, Spain, New Zealand, Romania, Ukraine, Former Soviet Union, Austria, Greece, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Nicaragua and Ecuador. Instructor of Disaster Medicine, EMS Medical/Disaster Operations and Emergency Management planning and response in India for over ten years. Participated in the development of the EMT training program and academy in Ahmedabad India. Participated in Emergency Medicine training and Oral Board tester and Emergency Medicine faculty in Durgapur West Bengal India.

Deployed for three months by Americares and World Health Organization (WHO) to Liberia, West Africa as part of the US medical response to the Ebola epidemic. Medical Manager and Director of the Buchanan Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU), Liberia West Africa. Developed (in conjunction with WHO) treatment and management guidelines for care and management of confirmed and suspected Ebola infected patients. “Cold” (no infected patients/operations simulation) trained by CDC, WHO and DoD and “Hot” (infected patients) trained at an active Ebola Treatment Unit in Bong County, Liberia. Provided medical care for suspected and confirmed Ebola patients. Subsequently involved in NYC and New Jersey hospital Ebola (and Emerging Infectious Diseases) preparedness with the NYC Fire Department, Department of Health and New York City Emergency Management planning program.

Continue to participate in Disaster response and plan development with FDNY, NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM), NYC and New York State Department of Health. Specifically related to: Mass Casualty Management (Pediatric and Adult), Hospital Surge Operations, Burn Emergencies, Emerging Infectious Diseases, and Radiological Incidents

During the past year have participated in the FDNY and NYCEM on COVID-19 associated issues and disease monitoring. Helped establish and participated in COVID-19 Operations at the Javits Medical Center (COVID-19) Health Station. Continue to participate in Pandemic Planning including Command and Control in New York City. Participant and presenter in international COVID-19 forum (US, Israel, Germany, Sardinia, Austria, Italy, and France).

Dr. Smith is the Operational Medical Director for the Arlington County Fire Department and the National Medical Response Team – National Capitol Region. He also served as the medical director for large-scale events such as the National Marathon, the Nation’s Triathlon, and the AT&T National Golf Tournament. Dr. Smith frequently presents at national conferences and trains groups including military special operations forces. Reed is a former EMS provider and Navy Corpsman and has strong interests in Operational and Tactical Medicine.