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Terrorism in Argentina

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Marcelo Muro*
Affiliation:
Emergency Surgeon, Emergency Department, Alvarez Hospital; Instructor, Buenos Aires EMS 1986–2002; General Director, Buenos Aires EMS 1996–2002; Director of Update in Emergency Medicine Program, Buenos Aires University School of Medicine, 2001–2002; Advisor in Emergency and Disaster Medicine for the Provinces of Buenos Aires and Chubut, Argentina
Roberto Cohen
Affiliation:
Specialist in Internal Medicine Emergency Department, Ramos Mejía Hospital; Forensic Physician, Argentine Justice Department; Medical Director of Buenos Aires EMS, 1999–2002, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Daniel Maffei
Affiliation:
Emergency Surgeon, Martín Güemes, Regional Hospital and Ramos Mejía Hospitals; Instructor and Coordinator, Buenos Aires EMS, 1998–2002, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Marcelo Ballesteros
Affiliation:
Emergency Surgeon and Chief of Emergency Department, Martín Güemes Regional Hospital, Instructor and Coordinator, Buenos Aires EMS, 1998–2002, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Luis Espinosa
Affiliation:
Operative Director Buenos Aires EMS, 1997–2002, Buenos Aires; General Coordinator Pilar EMS, Pilar, Argentina
*
Blanco Encalada 2387 8° “G”, Buenos Aires, 1428 Argentina, E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Major terrorist attacks in Argentina since 1990 have been limited to two bombings in Buenos Aires, which together caused 115 deaths and left at least 555 injured. Following these attacks, national, regional, and local institutions responsible for emergency response in Argentina sought to improve their planning and preparedness for terrorism-related events. In 1996, the national government enacted legislation, which launched the Sistema Federal de Emergencias (SIFEM) or Federal Emergency System under the direction of the president. Since 1997, several of Argentina's major cities have developed emergency plans for terrorism-related events, including intentional biological and chemical releases. Institutional participants in emergency preparedness for terrorism-related events include Emergency Medical Services, hospitals, and the public health system. Remaining challenges include: (1) Improving intra-agency coordination; (2) Improving intra-agency communication; and (3) Improving and expanding emergency response training programs for responders and the general population.

Type
Special Reports
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2003

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