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Personal Terrorism Preparedness Focus of St. Francis Webcast
April 25, 2003 - 7:00 pm CT
Indianapolis
- Until now, the subject of nuclear, biological or chemical warfare was only broached in a good science fiction novel or in an action-packed Hollywood motion picture. But today, in a post 9-11 world, the threat of terrorism is becoming a harsh reality.
To keep Hoosiers informed on these growing concerns, St. Francis Hospital and slp3D will broadcast a town hall meeting on personal terrorism preparedness at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 25, via www.StFrancisHospitals.org. Pre-registration is available through the Web site.
Nationally known disaster experts Dr. Howard Levitin, an emergency physician at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers, and Peter Beering, Indianapolis terrorism preparedness coordinator, will lead the town hall meeting on terrorism issues.
"Many people are confused about the threat of terrorism to our nation, our community and our families," Beering says. "It's easy to lose sight of the difference between panic and preparedness."
"We need to catch our breath and approach the issue with a calmer pulse," Levitin adds. "Educating ourselves about terrorism and the practical things we can do to take care of ourselves and our loved ones will ease our minds and help us be ready to respond."
Beering is the national director of security initiatives for USFilter Operating Services, one of the nation's largest water and wastewater management companies. As Indianapolis Terrorism Coordinator, he has overseen the training of more than 6,000 public safety, emergency medical, haz-mat and hospital emergency personnel including physicians and emergency nurses. The primary author of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Medical Response System plan, Beering serves as program director.
Levitin is the principal investigator of a study sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality evaluating the preparedness and capacity of hospitals to respond to a biological attack and is currently working with the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery on bioterrorism preparedness for their healthcare facilities.
Beering and Levitin will take questions from meeting participants and via e-mail.
Approximately 50 tickets will be available for community members to attend the Webcast live. Tickets will be available on a first-available basis by calling (317) 782-7997, ext. 2997.
Watching the Webcast requires a modem with a minimum connection speed of at least 28.8K, though speeds of 56K and greater are optimal. The minimum software required are RealPlayer and either Internet Explorer 4.0 or Netscape Navigator 4.0. RealPlayer may be downloaded free via the pre-registration page, which can be accessed through www.StFrancisHospitals.org.
St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers, founded in 1914 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, is one of the largest health care systems in Indiana, with three main facilities in Beech Grove, Indianapolis and Mooresville. St. Francis Hospital is part of a network of 10 growing hospital campuses in Indiana and Illinois owned and operated by the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc. SSFHS also co-owns two hospitals in Lafayette, Ind., with North Central Health Services, Inc.
Based in West Hartford, Conn., slp3D, Inc. is an Internet broadcasting company that creates live and on-demand, video-based communications for clients in health care and education. slp3D's solutions are based upon leading-edge technologies and enable business-to-business and business-to-consumer clients to capitalize on the expanding broadband, internet -based economy with live and on-demand video applications, integrated graphic presentations and real-time audience surveying. The company been chosen as one of INC Magazine's top web companies for 2002 as part of the publication's Annual Web Awards.
Editor's Note: For more information about St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers, visit the Media Center section of the St. Francis Web site at media.StFrancisHospitals.org.
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