the sydney 2000 olympic and paralympic games - Australian Sports ...

PART FOUR : NSW GOVERNMENT AGENCIES GAMES SUPPORT SERVICES
Counter Disaster Services
The NSW State Disaster Plan was activated on 2 September 2000 and NSW HealthPlan placed on alert
for the duration of the Olympic Games period. The key counter disaster initiatives implemented during the
Games were:
• Awareness training for Chemical, Biological and Radiological emergencies was conducted across
NSW prior to the Games.
• The Health Services Disaster Control Centre was staffed and the Health Incident Reporting
Information System utilised during the Games.
• Rostered Medical Disaster Response Teams were established and liaison officers placed in the
Sydney Police Centre.
• Mass casualty decontamination facilities were developed at seven hospital sites with additional
procedures implemented at an additional five hospitals.
• Protective equipment and pharmaceutical supplies were distributed to the major hospital sites.
Games-time Results
No mass casualty emergency occurred during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. However, on Olympic
Closing Ceremony night, the deployment of duty medical teams was required to Sydney Hospital and the
city due to increased crowds and congestion.
Legacy
The following legacies have arisen from Health and Medical services provided during the Games:
• Invaluable experience and skills gained will benefit future health care services provided to major
events.
• Partnerships between NSW Department of Health, Public Health Units, emergency departments,
laboratories and other Government agencies have been enhanced.
• The Olympic surveillance and reporting experience has provided a valuable framework for future use.
• The Olympic Food Safety Program provided the following legacies:
Area Public Health Units can utilise Operation Foodwatch data.
Minor assets acquired to support the Games program will be utilised by Public Health Units.
• The Olympic Environmental Health Program provided the following legacies:
The establishment of an accurate cooling tower register
Increased awareness of and compliance with NSW Public Health Act (1991), particularly for
swimming pools and cooling towers.
• The Games Vessel Inspection Program will continue to be conducted by the South Eastern
and Central Sydney Public Health Units to cover Sydney based charter vessels and visiting
international ships.
• Counter Disaster Services during the Games provided the following legacies:
Increased awareness and training in disaster response for health personnel.
Retention of protective equipment and pharmaceuticals.
Hospital decontamination units developed for the Games allow the management of contaminated
patients onsite.
65