Thanks to a disaster-planning grant, Catalina Island Medical Center, as well as the city of Avalon, will soon be better prepared for a range of disasters.

Last week, disaster-planning consultant David Rykken, spent a week on the island in order to help Catalina Island Medical Center perfect its disaster plan.

Rykken, who lives in the island nation of Palau, has an extensive international background in disaster management and training. He is a certified crisis counselor and a disaster management trainer and has taught university courses in the United States, Turkey, Thailand and Indonesia.

The National Bioterrorism Grant Program is funding Rykken's work with CIMC through the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Emergency Management Services. He is working with CIMC's Disaster Coordinator Robin Cobley, RN.

Rykken, whose disaster response experience ranges from earthquakes to genocide, began his work at CIMC by presenting a three-day seminar on pandemic flu. That seminar allowed several local agencies, including the Los Angeles County Fire Department, City of Avalon Fire Department and the Avalon Harbor Department, to work with Catalina Island Medical Center and become more aware of the risks and challenges presented by a possible influenza pandemic. Having planned for pandemic flu since 2003, Rykken designed the seminar to raise awareness about the impact of infectious diseases on the health care system and increase understanding regarding the responsibilities of participating agencies.

Rykken said that Catalina's island environment presented both challenges and opportunities. "You need to think about what you have and what you can bring in" during a disaster, he said. On the other hand, "Everyone knows each other and there's a strong sense of community."

Rykken and hospital personnel both agree that interagency cooperation will be essential during any disaster.

"We can't have a great disaster plan without the city having a great plan," CIMC's Chief of Patient Care Services Doreen Macktal said. "As we refine our plan we will be working with other agencies within the community to ensure that we are all able to work together to provide services."

As part of his contract with Catalina Island Medical Center, Rykken will make two more trips to the island. During those trips he will once again meet with local agencies and provide training. At the end of his contract, in 2008, Catalina Island Medical Center will have a dynamic disaster plan that will help the facility respond to the community's needs in the face of disaster.

For more information visit www.CatalinaIslandMedicalCenter.org