What Should Counties Be Doing Now to Prepare? Ray Runo, Director Office of Emergency Operations Florida Department of Health READY Road Map to

Predictions for 2007 Season 17 Named Storms17 Named Storms –9 Hurricanes –5 Major Hurricanes – Category 3 or Above 74% Chance a Major Hurricane Will Make Landfall in the US74% Chance a Major Hurricane Will Make Landfall in the US –50% Chance of an East Coast Impact –49% Chance of a Gulf Coast Impact

Take a Proactive Approach Review Key Emergency PlansReview Key Emergency Plans –Assure All Plans Are Up to Date –Remind County Health Department Staff of Their Role in the Emergency –All ESF 8 Public Health and Medical Systems –Responsibility for Missions –Self-Sufficiency for 96 Hours

Take a Proactive Approach Enhance Local PartnershipsEnhance Local Partnerships –Discuss 2007 Strategy with Local Emergency Management Agency –Reach Out to Community Partners HospitalsHospitals Long Term Care FacilitiesLong Term Care Facilities Medical Reserve CorpsMedical Reserve Corps Vulnerable Populations & Organizations Who Work With Them (e.g. Rural Health)Vulnerable Populations & Organizations Who Work With Them (e.g. Rural Health)

Take a Proactive Approach Complete Vulnerability AssessmentsComplete Vulnerability Assessments –Discern Which Parts of Your Community Will Require the Most Support –Consider Areas Still in Recovery From Previous Events –Complete County ESF8 Health & Medical Profile

Take a Proactive Approach Contact Resource VendorsContact Resource Vendors –Assure They Are Still Available to Supply Needed Resources –Inquire Regarding Delivery Timelines and Inventory –Obtain 24/7 Contact Information

County Profiles Lessons Learned From 2004/2005Lessons Learned From 2004/2005 Support Mutual AidSupport Mutual Aid Assist State in Forecasting Needs and SupportAssist State in Forecasting Needs and Support Pre-Event PlanningPre-Event Planning Key Health Statistics and DemographicsKey Health Statistics and Demographics

County Profiles Profile Key County Issues:Profile Key County Issues: –Hazards and Vulnerabilities –Public Health and Medical Capacities –Public Health and Medical Infrastructure –Public Health and Medical Roles/Responsibilities –Other Data

Continuity of Operations (COOP) Ensure for the Health and Safety of EmployeesEnsure for the Health and Safety of Employees Ensure for Operational COOP PlansEnsure for Operational COOP Plans Effective in a Variety of CircumstancesEffective in a Variety of Circumstances Scalable to the EventScalable to the Event Maintain and Support Critical InfrastructureMaintain and Support Critical Infrastructure Ensure Public Access to Critical FunctionsEnsure Public Access to Critical Functions Support Alternative Work LocationsSupport Alternative Work Locations

Prepare Staff Review Continuity of Operations PlanReview Continuity of Operations Plan –Ensure Staff Know How to Report Following a Disaster –Remind Staff of Alternate Facility and Provide Directions to Site –Update and Test Call Down Procedures –Remind Staff to Have a Personal Preparedness Plan

Prepare Staff Conduct Pre-Season TrainingConduct Pre-Season Training –Orient Staff to Tools Required to Complete Their Tasks Assure Staff Know Their Role During a DisasterAssure Staff Know Their Role During a Disaster –Build Teams –Consider When Specialized Staff Will Be Needed (e.g. Environmental Health Staff Will Be Key 3 Days After Landfall)

Build Your Tool Kit Contact InformationContact Information –Update Call Lists –Obtain 24/7 Contact Info for Community Partners and Technical Specialists –Assure State ESF8 Has Key Contact Numbers for Your County

Build Your Tool Kit Public InformationPublic Information –Work With Local Media and Community Partners to Assure Health Messages Get to the Public –Pre-script Key Health Messages to Use During Disasters

What Are Some of Your Successes in Preparing?

Questions/Comments?