The medical and nursing staff of the Niguarda-Ca' Granda Hospital of Milano has been involved in three major disasters that occurred in Italy in the years 1976 and 1980: (1) the earthquake of May 6, 1976 in a northeastern region (Friuli); (2) the ICMESA plant explosion of July 10, 1976 in Seveso (Milano) and (3) the earthquake of November 23, 1980 in the region of Irpinia (Southern Italy).

Friuli Earthquake 1976

On May 7, 1976, about 12 hours after the earthquake struck, the Udine Hospital, located at about 15 km from the border of the disaster area, contacted by phone the director of the Ca' Granda Hospital in Milano, requesting a relief staff of operating room and ICU nurses. The Udine Hospital was undamaged and was overburdened by work for the surgical, orthopedic and medical treatment of the rescue victims. The staff requested was needed to relieve the exhausted local nursing staff. Extra staff was needed also to accompany ambulances with patients that, after initial triage and treatment, were evacuated to other hospitals outside the seismic area.