Some Preliminary Observations on a Hospital Response To The Jackson, Mississippi Tornado of March 3, 1966

Date
1966-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Disaster Research Center
Abstract
Description
On March 3, 1966, a tornado cut a path of about 100 miles across the state of Mississippi. At approximately 4:30 p. m. that day the tornado, moving generally in a northeasterly direction, struck the capital of the state, Jackson. It missed the center of the city of about 200,000 people but completely destroyed a moderate size factory complex a short distance east of the city as well as a shopping center (Candlestick Park) on the southwest edge of the town. About 300 of the nearly 500 injured in the whole state were from the Jackson area, Out of the 53 persons who died, 20 were killed in the metropolitan area. A three man DRC team (plus two attached OSU engineers) arrived in Jackson on Friday, March 4. The team made a reconnaissance survey conducting several dozen informal interviews with officials in the police department, civil defense, the Red Cross, several hospitals and other community organizations. The initial field observations suggested that while there had not been a major community disaster, some organizational responses in the city might warrant a more intensive examination. Subsequently, a DRC team returned to Jackson and conducted a partial "in-depth" study of the hospital which was closest to the shopping center and that had received the first large influx of casualties. In about a week's time the second DRC team interviewed approximately 35 persons connected with the hospital including physicians, nurses, administrators, paramedical and other staff personnel. The usual complete cooperation was extended, the standard DRC field procedures being followed in both the initial and later visit. This paper reports some preliminary observations on the activities of the hospital most involved in the community disaster response. The focus is on organizational rather than medical aspects. Since a more systematic analysis of the data will be presented only in a later research report, all statements herein are to be taken as tentative rather than definitive. While almost exclusive attention is given to one hospital, three others are mentioned. When necessary to avoid confusion the hospital studied most thoroughly is designated as hospital A. The other three are called B, C, and D. The emergency activities of other community groups and organizations are not generally discussed except in passing and to the extent such information provides a better understanding of the situation at hospital A.
Keywords
Observations, Hospital Response, Jackson, Mississippi Tornado
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