Erica is a former Clinical Nurse Specialist in Trauma and intensive Care. She joined the Army in 2007 including postings to health, training, joint operations, infantry, engineer, and special operations commands. She was the MTF 2 battlegroup trauma Nurse on OP SLIPPER, Tarin Kowt – Afghanistan in 2010 – 2011. She trained in CBRN medicine while posted as the CBRN Medical troop commander to the Special Operations Engineer Regiment. She developed the ADF CBRN Health Basic courses and has committed the back end of her military career specialising to understand all facets of CBRN health capability and joint operational effects.
She holds a Bachelor of Nursing, Grad Dip Intensive Care Nursing, Masters International Public Health, Masters of Health Management, Grad Cert. Capability & Technology (ADF) and is now a PhD candidate at ANU – School of Medicine & Psychology.
Title and Presentation overview: Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Preparedness
Australia has been slow to realise and actualise the need for CBRN health capability across Emergency Services, Frontline Whole of Government and Health Systems. CBRN casualty response & health preparedness is a key feature in mitigating and responding to current global threats within the Pacific region.
Global exemplars have taught us that CBRN events create havoc upon personnel, disaster management frameworks and logistic infrastructure that frontline workers rely upon. Early mechanisms to Raise, Train & Sustain the workforce is essential. This presentation will outline the measures that Australian Whole – of Government Organisations and large infrastructure organisations could take to prepare their workforce & develop capability.
This is a nuanced and niche area of casualty management – there are not many specialists and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It is complex and requires out-of-the-box thinking that doesn’t always fit our current practices and algorithms. Cultural and organisational openness will be needed to tackle this wicked problem, but it can be done if we all collaborate and challenge ourselves.
Erica’s over 30 years’ experience and education has collectively shaped her ability to accurately analyse, manage and deliver detailed, thorough, and unique solutions across Whole of Government and Industry in CBRN health risk mitigation and organisational remediation strategies.