LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The South Texas Chapter of the American College of Health Care Executives held an educational seminar at Lackland July 11 for civilian and military health care administrators.
Tech. Sgt. Ian Bernard, program director for the STC-ACHE, said the seminar focused on health care and emergency preparedness.
"The meeting is to provide education and to inform the community about emergency preparedness in San Antonio," said Sergeant Bernard. "We can let them know how it will affect us if terrorists hit here, what kind of emergency preparedness we have in place, and just general education on the topic."
Sergeant Bernard added that preparedness and anticipation are key in any kind of disaster situation.
"San Antonio is not only a health care but a military hub. We have a number of health care organizations here," he said. "The reality of terrorism and disasters happening is there. Coming together to find ways to have a plan ready to go and having resources ready is important."
A former Air Force Surgeon General (Dr.) Paul Carlton, who is now the director of the Office of Homeland Security for the Texas A&M Health Science Center, spoke at the conference.
"My background is in medical aspects of homeland security," the retired lieutenant general said just before his speech. The issue of emergency preparedness is very important to the San Antonio community as a whole for several reasons. As Hurricane Bertha is being worked in the Atlantic right now, San Antonio is the primary reception area for the evacuation of the entire gulf coast.
"So San Antonio, in terms of disaster preparedness, is probably the leading group in the country. They've done the most. They've got the best plans. They've executed the best plans."
Dr. Carlton, who spent 13 years at Lackland during his 37-year military career, said the San Antonio community had the best thoughts he'd seen about emergency preparedness.
STC-ACHE President Gary Meyn said the event was a milestone in the group's history.
"This is the first event of its kind we've had on Lackland, on any military base," he said. "I'm happy we could get it done because it's a very important topic."
Sergeant Bernard said he appreciated the experts' opinions.
"Having this opportunity to hear from experts and folks who are familiar with what's out there is a good thing," he said. "It's educational and informative. We hope folks can go back and formulate and implement plans so if a disaster were to hit San Antonio, we'll be ready for it."