Dear Editor:
The following letter was sent to Richard Matzer, Program Manager, State of New Jersey, Department of Health & Senior Services:
In response to your request for an accounting of the collective actions of local health departments in the aftermath of the attack on the WTC, I feel compelled to offer something more. Above and beyond recounting a chronology of events having to do with perhaps more perfunctory public health activities, I think it noteworthy to recognize activities which would seem decidedly above and beyond reasonable expectations.
I want to say first that I am sure that throughout the State, dedicated local officials of every stripe were called upon to take extraordinary measures in response to a truly unprecedented event. Certainly such was the case with the public health community throughout Hudson County. But it is the actions of two Hudson County officers in particular which I feel exemplified the very highest level of commitment to public service and professional conduct.
Beginning even before the collapse of the first tower, I had the opportunity to work very closely with both Vincent Rivelli of West New York and Frank Sasso of Hoboken. Both are responsible for geographical jurisdictions which have the Hudson River as a border and were prepared to deal directly with whatever would be coming forth from the fallen towers. They found themselves on the County’s front line of assistance to hundreds of often disoriented and devastated victims of a literal bombing. Long into the night, they tirelessly provided succor, shelter, assurance and other assistance to those who might otherwise simply be abandoned on an unfamiliar shore. Their sole concern was the welfare of those in need, the very essence of professional public health practice.
Moreover, through their association with the Commission and formal training in Bioterrorism/WMD funded by DOD, both remained vigilant and maintained close communications with Commission personnel assigned to the EOC. Amid chaos on the shore of the Hudson River, Mr. Sasso took measures to assure proper decontamination procedures were followed with minimal impact upon those affected. Despite unremitting demands on his time, Mr. Rivelli thoroughly investigated at least two incidents, which might have been indicative of suspicious activity. On the evening of September 20, shortly after the President’s televised address to nation, Mr. Sasso was alerted to an incident in the PATH Station where it was reported that several people had suddenly become ill. He coordinated the deployment of health personnel and took an active role in decisions relating to risk assessment, decon and medical treatment.
I couldn’t help but recollect that this was the second major public health emergency in which Mr. Sasso demonstrated strong leadership under taxing circumstances. The first was the well-documented residential mercury crisis of 1996, for which he was formally recognized for outstanding service by both Governor Whitman and the Commissioner of NJDHSS. It was the second worse residential mercury crisis in history.
I believe these Health Officers are emblematic of what is ideally envisioned in the national planning model for Bioterrorism/WMD preparedness. Where planning is yet in its embryonic phase and standard tactics may not be effective in all cases and where precise missions and duties are at best amorphous, Messrs Sasso and Rivelli relied upon experience, training and real time judgment to facilitate the protection of the public health. There can be little doubt about either the level of their commitment nor the value of their service.
As the ‘LINCS Health Officer’ of Hudson County, I will rely heavily on their expertise and assistance in developing a comprehensive plan for preparedness. And, I take a measure of comfort in the knowledge that I can rely even more heavily on their field presence and support in the unfortunate but sadly predictable event of future emergencies.
Robert Ferraiuolo, Director
Hudson Regional Health Commission