Catastrophe

Catastrophe's aftershocks felt locally

Sept. 12, 2001

By Jim Mimiaga
Journal Staff Writer

Southwest Memorial Hospital officials are taking an inventory of medicines and supplies in the wake of a massive terrorist attack that is taxing hospitals in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Southwest CEO Bob Peterson said he is awaiting word from state and national hospital associations before offering assistance.

"We’re waiting for their guidance on what we can do to help out," he said. "Until then, we are operating as normal."

Pharmaceutical and surgical supplies have been inventoried in case they are needed elsewhere or need to be conserved, he said. Additional orders of key medicines such as antibiotics have been placed. With airports closed down nationwide until at least tomorrow, it is unclear whether the orders will be filled.

"We’re torn about ordering more, because of the demand for supplies there," said pharmacist Marc Meyer.

Nationwide, there is a critical shortage of the diphtheria-tetanus vaccine, which is being heavily used at the trauma centers in and around the sites of four separate terrorist attacks. Meyer said the drug is essential for treating wounds exposed to the toxic dust and debris created by explosions and collapse of buildings.

Peterson is encouraging people to donate blood in light of the disaster. "Hopefully this will get people to get back into the habit of donating blood, especially O negative and O positive."

A blood drive will be held at the Montezuma County Annex beginning at 10 a.m. today.

On Tuesday morning, four commercial airliners hijacked by terrorists were used as tactical weapons, smashing into U.S. targets at the Pentagon and both World Trade towers, which were destroyed. Another hijacked airliner crashed down near Pittsburgh. Thousands of civilians were injured or killed in the devastating attacks.

Cortez Municipal Airport is closed until further notice, but at least until noon today, said assistant airport manager Russ Machen. Only the 5:45 a.m. flight to Denver from Cortez managed to get through before Tuesday’s terrorist attacks involving commercial jetliners forced the Federal Aviation Administration to shut down the nation’s airports.

Travel agents said airlines would compensate bumped passengers once airports return to normal.

Also, security at the Cortez and all the nations airports have been increased to a Level 4 by the FAA, up from zero, Machen said.

The highest security level means there will be no parking allowed in the normal lot now or once flight schedules resume.

"It will be strictly curbside, so after the drop-off the vehicle must leave," Machen said.

Parking will be available on a dirt area north of the terminal, but will be limited. It is marked off by orange cones with controlled access. A sheriff’s deputy will monitor vehicles and be there for increased security.

Cars currently in the regular parking must be removed as soon as possible or risk getting towed, Machen said. Those who know of air travelers with vehicles at the airport are advised to retrieve them and take them home or re-park them in the allocated lot.

"The new parking area is about 1,000 feet from the terminal, so they need to be prepared to walk," Machen said.

Heightened state of alerts are in place at airports, government buildings and critical infrastructures like dams, power plants and reservoirs around the nation. U.S. Highway 93, which passes over the Hoover Dam between Arizona and Nevada, was closed Tuesday for security reasons.

"We are not much of a target, but there are other acts that could take place that do affect us, like power plants and dams like Hoover, that would put us out of business, and it appears something like that is possible," said Cortez City Manager Hal Shepherd.

Vern Harrell, a local Bureau of Reclamation official, said that gates at the McPhee dam have been closed and locked. "We’re keeping an eye on it as all dam managers everywhere are doing in light of what has happened, but we are pretty small compared to others," he said.

A scheduled state dam inspection occurred throughout Tuesday without problems, he said.