2006 RICE INTERCOLLEGIATE BOWL

Case Information – Round One

A strong earthquake hits Memphis at 11:45 PM on Sunday, August 18.  The epicenter is located at the southern tip of the New Madrid fault.  The mayor calls your group together to coordinate the response.

Information arrives to your group by 2 AM that bridges on the major highways entering and leaving your city are severely damaged and only one of the local tertiary care hospitals is functioning.  Most of the city and the surrounding region are without electricity and telephone service, and there are reports of sewer system leaks scattered across the city.  The local transit system is not functional.  The airport is undamaged and the rail line has only minor track damage.

By the next day your group begins to receive reports of shortages of drinking water and food in some neighborhoods, especially those with large numbers poor citizens.  Looting is reported in some areas of town.  By the second day, the one functioning hospital reports two new patients with symptoms of rashes, vomiting and shock.  A similar case is reported by a local physician.

Question:         What community resources would your group contact?  List the most important agencies and describe what their role would be within the next 48 hours.

In addition, prepare a 1-2 page written summary of your presentation to Part I, including the process your team used to develop your response.  This summary is to be handed in at the end of your presentation and will be distributed to the other teams after the competition is complete.