Nurses prepare disaster response

0 Comments | Register-Guard (Eugene, OR), April, 2003

Byline: Jeff Wright The Register-Guard

If terrorists were ever to strike in Oregon, you probably couldn't have too many nurses rushing to the scene.

That's the premise behind an Oregon Nurses Association proposal to create a statewide volunteer nurse disaster response team that would provide critical medical care following a terrorist incident or other calamity.

The 9,000-member ONA will take up the issue at a three-day annual convention that begins today at the Eugene Hilton. The early response from nurses to the idea has been strong, said June Ann Cole, occupational safety and health specialist with the ONA.

"The unanimous opinion I've gotten so far is, `Get going! We want to be a part of it,' ' Cole said.

The plan calls for...