Emergency Response Overview

The Emergency Response Network of the Great Lakes Regional Center of Excellence exists to provide aid during a biodefense emergency related to emerging infectious diseases or an act of bioterrorism.

The GLRCE is prepared to provide:

• communications pathways for the exchange of information, expertise and laboratory support between GLRCE and local, state and federal agencies.
• education to regional public health officials and interested scientists concerning GLRCE research of Category A-C agents.
• laboratory facilities and expertise in the event of a biodefense emergency.

The GLRCE is composed of twenty regional institutions and is run by scientists and clinical experts in the field of infectious disease and special pathogen treatment and research. The Emergency Response Network is composed of all GLRCE investigators and administrators, as well as a Public Health Officials Network (PHON) organized within Region V.

The twenty-seven members of the GLRCE include the premiere biomedical and scientific research institutions in the region, as well as their affiliated medical treatment facilities. The Emergency Response Plan (ERP) incorporates and supplements each entity’s existing bioterror or pathogen management team; working to provide resources above and beyond those available to a singular, unassisted medical unit. Additionally the GLRCE is able to provide, thanks to its geographical range, a "bird’s-eye-view" of the entire affected area.

The scope of the GLRCE is unique in that it can mobilize and coordinate assistance across a relatively vast geographic region.

The ERP is predicated on the belief that proper preparation is necessary for effective crisis response. To this end, the ERP includes both immediate biodefense emergency planning as well as preparedness training for RCE and Public Health personnel and responders.

Educational webconferences, lectures and instructional programs are aimed to provide both state-of-the-art scientific knowledge and practical aspects of effective outbreak management. Instruction for proper safety measures, diagnostics, and first-line treatment is being made available to RCE personnel as well Public Health officials entering the GLRCE network.

In the Event of a Biodefense Emergency

The University of Chicago, with its associated medical centers and advanced microbiological facilities, will become the GLRCE Emergency Command Center. The ERP Communication Tree - involving both the GLRCE and PHON - will be activated, communication lines will be opened between the Command Center and the relevant RCEs nationwide, and contact will be established with the NIH, CDC, USAMRIID, USDA, FBI, and other appropriate federal agencies.

The eight national RCEs will immediately begin gathering information from and dispensing information to on-the-scene state and local authorities. Regional laboratory and treatment facilities will be contacted, and local GLRCE experts will be notified. Nationally, the leadership of the GLRCE will aid authorities and keep the media apprised as appropriate.

Mock drills of the GLRCE emergency communications and response networks are scheduled to take place regularly throughout the year.