BOSTON—A new audit is criticizing the oversight of 10 trailers meant to be used in the event of a bioterrorist attack or other mass casualty incident.
Investigators from Auditor Joseph DeNucci's office said they conducted two visits to inspect the trailers, which are overseen by the state Department of Public Health.
In one instance, a trailer was not where it was supposed to be and no one could find the only personnel with keys who might have known where it was.
The contents of a second trailer had not been unpacked and none of the equipment had been tested. The audit also found that the medical supplies appeared susceptible to the climate and weather conditions.
DeNucci's audit also found that periodic drills or exercises using the trailers and equipment failed to take place and not all municipalities within each region had been notified of the availability and location of the trailers.
The trailers are intended to be used to deploy emergency medical services after an event causing mass casualties.
In response to the audit, DPH officials say they've established Web sites and taken other measures to make sure local officials know the location and availability of the trailers.
The department has also agreed to conduct drills and exercises in at least one of the assigned trailers in each of five regions across the state, and make sure that the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, which coordinates disaster response in the state, is also aware of the location of the trailers.
The audit looked at $28 million in federal Homeland Security grants awarded to Massachusetts to help the state prepare for and respond to a terrorist attack or public health emergency.
