Rhode Island Disaster Initiative

In summary, RIDI is a multi-year research project to identify and develop solutions to some of the challenges posed by disaster response, with a focus on WMD incidents. September 11, 2001, changed the RIDI timeline with increased pressure to produce tangible results and recommendations rapidly. Phase 1 was an effort to identify problems and potential solutions through vulnerability assessment, literature review and expert panel discussion. Many disaster response "solutions" may fail because of a rush to use untested equipment or processes. RIDI is working cooperatively with other Rhode Island disaster experts to avoid these failures. Informed by Phase 1, RIDI Phase 2 will carefully and progressively test potential "solutions" during research trial disaster drills. Only after research can RIDI identify best practices in disaster response. As RIDI progresses to Phase 3, the demonstration project phase, specific improvements are expected in Rhode Island's readiness for disaster. A main feature of Phase 3 is use of a RIDI demonstration vehicle to bring identified solutions to the scene as requested by Rhode Island EMS agencies. Together with others working to improve Rhode Island readiness for disaster threats, RIDI hopes to improve the outcome for patients and providers in Rhode Island as they face the current disaster threats.