Emergency Preparedness Laura Long Health Services Agency Public Health Dept

September 11 th impacted us all

Our Sense of Safety

Our Self-Confidence

Our Awareness of Public Infrastructure

Our Perspectives of First Responders

Are We Ready????

Will the first response to an emergency be this……

…. or this?

It’s likely to look like this….

We need to prepare, prepare, prepare!!!

Who is going to respond? Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Fire Dept Public Safety (police, sheriff) Medical personnel (Physicians, nurses) Specially trained response teams Public Health (local, state, national) The citizens Mental health Domestic Preparedness Task Force

Today’s goals: Define Emergency Preparedness Define Emergency Preparedness Awareness of Potential Emergencies and their impacts Awareness of Potential Emergencies and their impacts Public Health Role in EP Public Health Role in EP Provide preparedness guidance for individuals and families Provide preparedness guidance for individuals and families

After 9-11, government responds January 2002, President approves $1.1 billion for “Bioterrorism Preparedness” All fifty states and 3 major metropolitan areas receive funding

What Is Emergency Preparedness? Planning to minimize the effects of an emergency/disaster on  General public  First responders  Medical Community  Resources

Potential Emergencies Natural Disasters Natural Disasters Man Made Man Made Epidemics & Pandemics Epidemics & Pandemics Terrorism Terrorism

Potential Emergencies/Disasters Transportation Accidents

Potential Emergencies/Disasters Dam Failure

Potential Emergencies/Disasters Floods

Potential Emergencies/Disasters FIRE

Potential Emergencies/Disasters A HEAT WAVE SIZZLES: THE NEIGHBORHOOD; Blackout Stops Trains and Electricity for 200,000 Source: The New York Times, 7/7/99 Utility Disruptions Heat Emergency Columbia University Center for Public Health Preparedness

Potential Emergencies/Disasters Outbreak Columbia University Center for Public Health Preparedness

Potential Emergencies/Disasters Biological and Chemical Terrorism

Terrorism Terrorism forces us to make a choice. We can be afraid. Or we can be ready” -Tom Ridge

Potential Terrorist Threats Kidnappings Kidnappings Assassinations Assassinations Hijackings Hijackings Bomb scares & bombings Bomb scares & bombings Weapons of Mass Destruction Weapons of Mass Destruction  NBC

Weapons of Mass Destruction (NBC) A device or agent capable of causing large numbers of injuries or deaths  Nuclear  Biological  Chemical

Biological Agents - Organisms or toxins that can kill or incapacitate people, livestock, and crops Bacteria- anthrax, plague, tularemia Bacteria- anthrax, plague, tularemia Viruses- smallpox, VHF Viruses- smallpox, VHF Toxins- botulinum, ricin Toxins- botulinum, ricin

Biological Agent Dissemination Aerosol Dispersion- agricultural sprayer Aerosol Dispersion- agricultural sprayer Ingestion- food, h20 Ingestion- food, h20 Dermal exposure- direct contact / injection Dermal exposure- direct contact / injection

SMALLPOX Very serious & contagious ID Very serious & contagious ID Variola Virus Variola Virus ONLY in lab ONLY in lab Whole body rash Whole body rash No available TX No available TX Supportive care Supportive care

Chemical -Poisonous vapors, aerosols, liquids or solids that have toxic effects on people, animals, or plants  Nerve  Blister  Blood  Choking  Irritating

Chemical Dissemination - Aerosol - hand help spray bottles to spraying equipment Area Contamination – inhalation or skin absorption by spraying an area with persistent liquid

Nuclear - An event in which a device spreads radioactive material “Dirty Bomb”- the use of an explosive to disseminate radioactive material in a wide area

What can you do to prepare? Create a Family Disaster Plan Create a Family Disaster Plan  Disaster supplies kit  Emergency communications plan  Emergency meeting place  School plan? Practice it! Practice it!

Disasters and Children Look for adult reaction and behavior Look for adult reaction and behavior Talk to your child Talk to your child Prepare them by teaching them how to Prepare them by teaching them how to  Recognize danger signals  How to call for help  Memorize important family info  Practicing your Family plan

Homeland Security

So what does this have to do with public health?

The Role of Public Health in an Emergency To Promote physical and mental health and prevent disease, injury, and disability

Not just Immunizations.. Emergency Preparedness Emergency Preparedness Maternal and child health Maternal and child health Health Promotion ( tobacco, nutrition, motor vehicle safety) Health Promotion ( tobacco, nutrition, motor vehicle safety) Teen Pregnancy Prevention Teen Pregnancy Prevention Domestic Violence Domestic Violence Disease Surveillance Disease Surveillance Tracking of births and deaths Tracking of births and deaths

Initial Response to a Disease Outbreak Early detection through surveillance Early detection through surveillance Mobilize laboratory Mobilize laboratory Rapid confirmation of agent, site, initial at-risk population, prophylaxis and/or treatment Rapid confirmation of agent, site, initial at-risk population, prophylaxis and/or treatment Alert medical community, ERs, labs Alert medical community, ERs, labs Implement disease specific plans (e.g. Smallpox) Implement disease specific plans (e.g. Smallpox) Determine resource needs and possible isolation/quarantine Determine resource needs and possible isolation/quarantine Coordinate with partner agencies (local/state/national) Coordinate with partner agencies (local/state/national) The Role of Public Health

Continued Response to a disease outbreak Closely monitor communication network for new information Closely monitor communication network for new information Provide, accurate, timely information to public Provide, accurate, timely information to public Access biological stockpiles as necessary Access biological stockpiles as necessary The Role of Public Health

Being Prepared Education of medical Education of medicalcommunity Education of public Education of public Training of special response teams Training of special response teams Participation in exercises for different scenarios Participation in exercises for different scenarios Development of communication systems Development of communication systems Development of interagency protocols Development of interagency protocols The Role of Public Health

Education and Training Assessment of staff and general public Assessment of staff and general public Develop courses and curricula for terrorism preparedness. Develop courses and curricula for terrorism preparedness. Develop partnerships with community stakeholders to disseminate information. Develop partnerships with community stakeholders to disseminate information. Test effectiveness of educational programs and revise. Test effectiveness of educational programs and revise.

Community Role BEFORE  Be prepared  Spread the word AFTER  Check on your neighbor  Listen to radio for instructions (93.1 FM)

In Summary Planning and Preparation Planning and Preparation Interagency efforts Interagency efforts Awareness is KEY! Awareness is KEY!

For More Information HSA website Red Cross ready.gov Public Health Emergency Preparedness