Lessons from the 2012 democratic national convention: How one local health jurisdiction addressed the challenges of a nsse

A planned National Special Security Event (NSSE) like the Democratic National Convention creates a variety of challenges for a mid-sized health department. Among them are examining, revising, and exercising response plans, and managing resources needed to meet NSSE demands and expectations, in addition to carrying on normal operations. The usual patterns of conducting business are changed as a result of increased security, intense media scrutiny, collaboration with outside agencies, and a large influx of media, delegates, celebrities, responders, and protesters. During a NSSE, local health departments must work closely with regional, state, and federal health officials, as well as agencies with which they have never worked before. A multitude of human resource issues need to be addressed in order to successfully provided 24/7 staff coverage for NSSE responsibilities. Security issues impact employee access to NSSE-related venues and possibly to non-NSSE work facilities. Normal transportation may also be impacted as a result of security measures and traffic congestion. Health department staff and partners need to be kept informed of event-related information. The department may also receive temporary, NSSE-related capabilities, such as BioWatch, should the capability be considered necessary. Participation in planning meetings, discussions, and exercises takes key department members away from their normal duties. These issues, lessons learned, as well as successes will be discussed as they pertain to a local health department.