Since May 2002, The City of Worcester Metropolitan Medical Response System (WMMRS) has acted as the catalyst for the enhancement of emergency service capabilities, relating to the health and medical needs of victims in the event of a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) attack. This program is designed to strengthen existing emergency response plans and when necessary, develop new ones to deal with previously unidentified threats. Worcester authorities recognize that the resources of the City and the Greater Worcester Region would be overwhelmed by the magnitude of destruction, disability, and loss of life should a nuclear, chemical, or biological attack occur. Thus, the WMMRS in cooperation with Worcester Emergency Management and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts continues to integrate and synchronize individual agency response plans.

Pandemic Influenza

Pandemic influenza is a global outbreak of disease from a new influenza A virus that is unlike past influenza viruses. Because people have not been infected with a similar virus in the past, most or all people will not have any natural immunity (protection) to a new pandemic virus.