Bryon Backenson New York State Department of Health

 NYSDOH currently maintains an All Hazards based Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, which includes the Department’s Incident Management System (IMS) Plan  IMS is the Department’s adaptation of Incident Command and establishes the methods, roles and responsibilities for the department in ALL emergencies – Command & Control – Operations Subject Matter Experts: Epidemiology, Environmental, Laboratories, Healthcare Facilities, etc… – Planning Agency situation reporting, Incident Action Plans (IAPs)

 The IMS Group uses Department plans and operating guides such as the Incident Management System Annex to manage any and all incidents within New York State – 2009 H1N1 – 2011 Hurricane Irene & Tropical Storm Lee – 2012 Hurricane Sandy  The Extreme Weather Planning & Response Guide sits as an Appendix in the IMS Annex, this document: – Defines Extreme Weather Events in New York State – Identifies the Department’s role in a defined weather event – Outlines the Department’s actions

* State and Local Government Action * Issued States of Emergency * Used Traditional News Media and Social Media to Communicate with Population * NYC Mayor ordered evacuation of 400,000 people * NYS Governor ordered shutdown of NYC subway system

* Public Action * Most people obeyed order to evacuate when told to do so * Even if not ordered to evacuate * Listened to news media about warnings * Bought bottled water and non-perishable foods, batteries and flashlights and lanterns * Purchased drugs and other medical supplies * Charged mobile phones and filled automobiles with gasoline * Purchased generators for back-up power if needed * Schools and businesses closed to prevent travelling during storm

 48 Situation Reports & Daily IMS Coordination Calls  Issued - 61 Boil Water Orders (BWO)  Co-lead for State Mass Care Support Group and supported mass care efforts in the affected jurisdictions.  Disaster Recovery Centers – provided Staff for 61 locations  IHANS Notifications over 600,000

 Healthcare Facility Evacuations During Sandy: – 6,001 Patients and residents were evacuated from NYC Healthcare Facilities – 56 Facilities evacuated in NYC, Nassau, Westchester and Suffolk Counties  Primary plans used for response were the NYC Coastal Storm Plan and the NYS Response and Recovery Annexes – The Extreme Weather Planning & Response Guide was not formally implemented, the public messaging included in the plan is a primary response role

 Multiple areas of NYSDOH all participate in Sandy response  Regional staff impacted personally  NYSDOH acting as county health departments at varying times.  Need to relay that information to pertinent agencies Hospitals, commercial labs, residents, etc.  Relay of electronic laboratory reports with power compromised  Implement novel surveillance mechanisms earlier than anticipated Computer-assisted surveillance for multiple illnesses GI list expanded, but impacted by power and reporting issues?  Have different areas/facilities to monitor Multiple shelters, run by multiple organizations

 In Local Health Departments within New York State used a similar format to develop local All Hazards Public Health Emergency Response (PHEPR) Plans  The NYSDOH Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HEPR) Plan is formally updated every 4 years, however, portions are updated as needed  Future updated guidance will include a use-able template for Local Health Departments to include in future iterations of their local plans

 Office of Health Emergency Preparedness - Plan Coordinator - Sarah-Anne Roberts Kate Butler-Azzopardi & Michael Perillo  Office of Public Health Practice Dr. Millicent Eidson & Kathleen Clancy  Division of Epidemiology Hwa-Gan H. Chang  Center for Environmental Health (CEH) Dr. Wanda Lizak-Welles & Eileen Franko  Public Affairs Group & Crisis Emergency Risk Communications John Emery  Public Health Emergency Epidemiology (PHEEP) Dr. Daniel Kuhles, Lynn Couey  Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (BEMS) James Soto  Office of Health Systems Management (OHSM) Deborah Sottolano

For More Information Please Contact: Office of Heath Emergency Preparedness