Medical Consequence Planning and Management for the 2004 Democratic National Convention

In the post 9/11 era, unprecedented preparations were made for the provision of medical services during the 2004 Democratic National Convention (DNC), designated a National Special Security Event (NSSE). The United States Secret Service (USSS) serves as the lead agency for all NSSE security operations and coordinates with relevant federal, state, and local partners to provide for the safety and welfare of participants. As such, USSS tasked Boston Emergency Medical Services (BEMS), a department of the Boston Public Health Commission, with the design and implementation of health services related to the convention. To coordinate with the greater medical community around the complexities of this high profile NSSE, BEMS formed for the first time a medical sub-group of the consequence management sub-committee, composed of federal agencies, private sector entities, area hospitals, public health departments, and community health centers. The sub-group developed a robust Medical Consequence Management Plan that addressed onsite medical care, surge capacity in the event of a mass casualty incident, public health surveillance, and management of federal response assets. The 2004 DNC enhanced medical planning may serve as an effective model for future NSSE events.