Large Synoptic Survey Telescope will make great contributions to many scientific fields. One of the modules will be time-domain astronomy and detection of transient events. In this paper, some considerations about transient events and alerts are presented.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Surveillance, Early Warning Alert and Response at the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO)in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to the surveillance, early warning alert, and response to communicable and vector-borne diseases as pertaining to the responses to the damage created bythe Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) key questions; (2) needs assessment; (3) coordination(4) gap filling; and (5) capacity building. The key questions section is presented in six sub-sections: (1) communicable diseases; (2) early warning; (3) laboratory capacity and referral networking; (4) coordination of disease surveillance, early warning, and response; (5) health infrastructure rebuilding; and (6) using existing national surveillance plans toenhance disease surveillance and early warning systems.

A fire developed in a facility being used as a discotheque that resulted in death for 63 young people. The rescue operations, ambulance responses, medical care provided at the scene, hospital operations, and psychosocial responses are described. Bodies blocked the exit and many survivors had to evacuate by leaping from windows. A total of 16 ambulances were used. Survivors and people not directly involved in the incident created disturbances and some even attacked responders. Many of those who escaped early suffered mild inhalation injuries and those who escaped later, sustained more severe inhalation injuries. High levels of both carbon-monoxide and cyanide were detected at autopsy. A total of 213 persons were transported to hospitals, 85 by ambulance. Most who died at the scene had severe burn injuries, were unconscious, or suffered from fire-gas injuries. A total of 150 victims were admitted to a hospital, of which 74 (49.3%) required intensive care. Only one of the four hospitals actuated a disaster alert. Psychosocial support was complicated due the multicultural characteristics of those involved. Support to the survivors and relatives of the victims was provided by representatives of various religious organization, non-profit organizations, and by the government of Gothenburg. Many recommendations are provided to better prepare for future events.

The Stage of Alert refers to the time period leading up to a disaster or terrorism event, usually defined by warnings disseminated by the federal government about increased risk of a disaster or terrorism situation. The general consensus was the need for more accurate information from appropriate governmental agencies to the public about specific impending threats, to ensure better coping. The purpose of providing this information to the public is to avoid panic or inertia, and to encourage normal adaptive reactions. It is important for people in positions of leadership to realize that past experiences have shown that panic has not occurred if people were given accurate information about the anticipated threat and specific guidelines about what to do.