Threat of Flooding in the Green River Valley Public Health and Medical Response Briefing Healthcare Coalition Quarterly Meeting August 17, 2010

AGENDA  Our Risk – Potential Health and Medical Consequences  Health and Medical Area Command – Current Planning Activities  Reducing Risk  Access to Information – Contacting Us

 Auburn  Kent  Renton  Tukwila and  A small portion of unincorporated King County Threatened Areas

Auburn Kent Renton Tukwila

Hazards  Rising flood waters spilling over banks  Levy failures (potentially forcing immediate evacuations)  Loss of critical infrastructure (power, roads, transit, sewer, communications, natural gas) Cascading Effects Healthcare facilities and systems that rely on the Valley (food, transportation, medical supplies and services, shipping, fuel…)

Potential Health and Medical Consequences  Evacuation and placement of medical needs residents from homes or long term care facilities  Loss of supporting infrastructure to healthcare  Cascading effects associated with rerouting patients around the Valley

Potential Health and Medical Consequences  Reduced access to medical supplies and vendor services located in the impact area  Increased travel times for EMS units and staff  Environmental health impacts associated with contaminated flood waters, sewer back-ups

Threatened Healthcare Partners  Hospitals  Long Term Care  Ambulatory Care  Home Health/Home Care  Blood Banks  Laboratories  Dialysis Providers  Pharmacies  Behavioral Health  Medical Vendors  Community Based Organizations Mapping of over 400 healthcare organizations

Planning Activities – 2009 to Present  Business resiliency training to healthcare and CBO partners  Continuity of EMS and Public Health Services

Current Planning Activities  Evacuation and placement of medically needy people  Establishing Health and Human Services Interface Public Health Seattle and King County Human Services DSHS CBOs

Current Planning Activities  Health education and access to information  Call Center Capability  Education campaigns  Information bulletins to response partners

Can We Reduce Our Risk?  Relocated Medical Supplies Warehouse Prevent destruction of PPE and ACF equipment Maintain access  Relocated KC Medic 1 and Kent PH Center  Equipment  Critical supplies  Vehicles  Personnel

Can We Reduce Our Risk?  Maintain Functionality of Auburn Public Health Center Installed sewer back flow valve Pre-wired for back-up generator Contracted for port-a-potties and hand washing facilities  Business Continuity planning to modify field operations, ensure critical functions continue TB Control, EH inspections, Home Nurse Visits

Recommendations for Threatened Facilities  Buy Flood Insurance  Develop business continuity plans  Develop or continue relationship with the Healthcare Coalition and PHSKC  Establish a relationship with local emergency management partners and first responders  Talk to staff and clients about personal preparedness and family communications plans

Access to Information  Community messaging ongoing by cities, KC  Healthcare partner briefings when events escalate  Bulletins on the web  Situation reports  Conference calls and Liaisons

Connecting with HMAC List: Health and Medical Area Command and PH 24/7 Duty Officer: (206)

Questions?