Emergency Preparedness and Response Fundamentals
Lesson 3
Responding to Emergency Events
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Objectives
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Know what to do in the wake of a disaster
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Know who is responsible for what in a disaster
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Follow local procedures for emergency response
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Respond to activities that involve your area of expertise
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Follow an emergency plan for you and your family
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Follow an emergency plan for your workplace
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Emergency response
Twin Cities Metro Advanced Practice Center
Immediate actions
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Information
Assessments
Capacity
Population needs
Facility needs
Housing
Dissemination
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Responsibility for PH in a disaster
• Local Municipal Health Departments
• State Department of Public Safety
• State Department of Health
• Homeland Security and Emergency
• State Department of Agriculture
Management
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• State National Guard
• State Environmental Agency
• Federal Emergency Management
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• State Department of Natural
Agency
• U.S. Dept. of Defense
• U.S. Dept. of Energy
Resources
• Army Corps of Engineers
• Centers for Disease Control
• Food and Drug Administration
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Local planning councils/organizations
Twin Cities Metro Advanced Practice Center
Twin Cities Metro Advanced Practice Center
EH response activities
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outbreak investigation
water safety
food safety
sanitation (sewage)
mass care
solid waste management
vector control
hazardous materials
household hazardous waste
hazardous waste
medical/infectious waste
chemical incidents
radiological incidents
Twin Cities Metro Advanced Practice Center
1. Outbreak investigation
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Outbreaks uncommon
Preventive activities
Early detection & treatment
Evaluation of food facility
or water source
Health Dept. - supporting role
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2. Water safety
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Ensure safe, potable water is
available
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Prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases
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Provide information about
water safety and supply to the
public
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Provide technical assistance &
guidance to regulated food
service establishments
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3. Food safety
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Conduct inspections of
licensed facilities
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Ensure facilities can
provide for hand-washing,
safe water, and
refrigeration
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Provide information about
food safety
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4. Sanitation
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Prevent human exposure
and the spread of
disease-causing
microorganisms
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Prevent contamination of
domestic water supplies
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Prevent the degradation
of surface and
groundwater quality
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5. Mass care
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Provide care care
assistance through:
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temporary shelters
mobile feeding operations
direct distribution of relief
supplies
Ensure that safe feeding
and shelter conditions are
available at emergency
gathering places
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6. Solid waste management
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Solid waste infrastructure
interruption
System overburden
Potential public health
concerns
Solid waste – proper
storage, collection and
disposal
Guidance, oversight and
liaison
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7. Vector control
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Reduce spread of
disease & psychological
stress from increase in
insects and rodents
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Provide information to
residents about
mosquitoes
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Coordinate emergency
corrective measures
against vectors
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8. Hazardous materials
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Take health and safety
precautions at an incident site
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Identify where vulnerable
populations are located
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Assist with procedures to assess
and mitigate a hazardous
materials incident
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9. Household hazardous waste
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Provide information about
waste collection activities
for homeowners
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Discourage washing or
disposing of hazardous
materials into sewers,
drains or soil
Twin Cities Metro Advanced Practice Center
10. Hazardous waste
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Hazardous waste
generators/facilities
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Lead agency for release
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Technical assistance for
cleanup activities
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Waste disposal
Twin Cities Metro Advanced Practice Center
11. Medical waste
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Identify locations where
medical waste is being
generated
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Verify facilities are
operational
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Increase medical waste
collection and treatment
to prevent accumulation
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Recommend emergency
containment
Twin Cities Metro Advanced Practice Center
12. Chemical incidents
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Work with emergency
responders & agencies to
ensure public safety
Assess impact on food safety
and water supply sources
Assess casualties & alert
facilities
Provide information about
the nature of the chemical
Explain decontamination
Inform the public
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13. Radiological incidents
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Provide information, guidance &
reassurance to the public
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Collaborate with other
emergency response
organizations
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Ensure availability of
medical treatment
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Conduct environmental
monitoring & assist in personal
monitoring
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Personal plan
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Emergency Preparedness Checklist
from FEMA and the American Red Cross at:
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/epc.pdf
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Creating an emergency plan, with a floor plan
Preparing a disaster supply kit
Doing a “home hazard hunt”
If you need to evacuate…
Preparing an emergency car kit
Fire safety
FEMA website for kids at:
http://www.fema.gov/kids/pets.htm.
Twin Cities Metro Advanced Practice Center
Summary
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Conduct rapid assessments, meet needs of the people
and essential facilities, and disseminate information.
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Communicate to prevent confusion, misunderstandings,
and duplication of efforts.
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Use decision process with three main points:
assessment, investigation and response.
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Respond to activities involving your area of expertise.
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Follow an emergency plan for you, your family and your
workplace.
Twin Cities Metro Advanced Practice Center