Public HealthPublic Health&&

Emergency PreparednessEmergency Preparedness

Jodi Watson, MPHJodi Watson, MPHPublic Health Preparedness Regional EpidemiologistPublic Health Preparedness Regional Epidemiologist

What Does Public Health What Does Public Health Preparedness Mean To You?Preparedness Mean To You?

What Are We Preparing For? What Are We Preparing For?

Public Health Preparedness Public Health Preparedness Federal LevelFederal Level

2001 Anthrax Letters, 2003 SARS Outbreak2001 Anthrax Letters, 2003 SARS Outbreak Response, conclusion – Public Health was not Response, conclusion – Public Health was not

preparedprepared

Department of Health & Human ServicesDepartment of Health & Human Services Centers for Disease Control & PreventionCenters for Disease Control & Prevention Fund “Public Health Preparedness & Response for Fund “Public Health Preparedness & Response for

Bioterrorism” activitiesBioterrorism” activities

North Central RegionNorth Central Region

10 counties10 counties Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek,

Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, and JeffersonDenver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, and Jefferson

5 Organized Health Departments5 Organized Health Departments Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Tri-CountyBoulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Tri-County

3 Nursing Services3 Nursing Services Elbert, Clear Creek, GilpinElbert, Clear Creek, Gilpin

4 Planners and Epidemiologists4 Planners and Epidemiologists Boulder, Denver, Jefferson, Tri-CountyBoulder, Denver, Jefferson, Tri-County

Public Health RolesPublic Health Roles

Prevention Prevention

SurveillanceSurveillance

InterventionIntervention

PreventionPrevention

Information/EducationInformation/Education Presentations throughout communityPresentations throughout community Press releases to the public Press releases to the public Colorado Health Alert Network (COHAN)Colorado Health Alert Network (COHAN)

VaccinationsVaccinations

SurveillanceSurveillance Reportable DiseasesReportable Diseases

67 Infectious Diseases 67 Infectious Diseases TularemiaTularemia PlaguePlague SmallpoxSmallpox Hemorrhagic Fever VirusesHemorrhagic Fever Viruses BotulismBotulism AnthraxAnthrax

Look at reporting trends Look at reporting trends and disease patternsand disease patterns CEDRSCEDRS CD NursesCD Nurses

Intervention/ControlIntervention/Control

Incidence Management Teams (NIMS)Incidence Management Teams (NIMS) Disease Investigations – Determine Sources Disease Investigations – Determine Sources

and Date of Exposureand Date of Exposure Partner with Environmental Health and CD NursesPartner with Environmental Health and CD Nurses Interdisciplinary Epidemiology Investigation Interdisciplinary Epidemiology Investigation

TeamsTeams Points of DispensingPoints of Dispensing Isolation/QuarantineIsolation/Quarantine

What can I do?What can I do?

Participate in Trainings/ExercisesParticipate in Trainings/Exercises ICS 100, 700 Required of all health dept staff, some will ICS 100, 700 Required of all health dept staff, some will

take additional classestake additional classes Prepare Your Family Prepare Your Family

Develop an Emergency PlanDevelop an Emergency Plan Communication PlanCommunication Plan Include Pets in PlanningInclude Pets in Planning Prepare an Emergency KitPrepare an Emergency Kit

Wear ID BadgeWear ID Badge Wait for Information from SupervisorWait for Information from Supervisor

Emergency KitEmergency Kit Store a two-week supply of water and food (use the All-Store a two-week supply of water and food (use the All-

Hazards Approach)Hazards Approach) Ready-to-eat canned meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, beans and soupsReady-to-eat canned meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, beans and soups Protein or fruit barsProtein or fruit bars Dry cereal or granolaDry cereal or granola Peanut butter or nutsPeanut butter or nuts CrackersCrackers Canned juiceCanned juice Bottled water (1 gallon per person per day)Bottled water (1 gallon per person per day) Canned or jarred baby food and formulaCanned or jarred baby food and formula Pet foodPet food Other non-perishable itemsOther non-perishable items

Emergency KitEmergency Kit Additional prescription drugs and supplies like glucose monitoring Additional prescription drugs and supplies like glucose monitoring

kits, blood pressure kitskits, blood pressure kits Alcohol-based hand disinfectant (60-95% alcohol)Alcohol-based hand disinfectant (60-95% alcohol) Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofenMedicines for fever, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen ThermometerThermometer Anti-diarrhea medicationAnti-diarrhea medication VitaminsVitamins Fluids with electrolytesFluids with electrolytes Flashlight with extra batteriesFlashlight with extra batteries Portable radioPortable radio Manual can openerManual can opener Garbage bagsGarbage bags Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers, feminine hygiene productsTissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers, feminine hygiene products Cash – some services may be disrupted due to high absenteeismCash – some services may be disrupted due to high absenteeism

QuestionsQuestions Jody Erwin, REHSJody Erwin, REHS

Program CoordinatorProgram Coordinator Phone (303) 271-5731Phone (303) 271-5731

Jodi Watson, MPHJodi Watson, MPH Interim Coordinator/Regional EpidemiologistInterim Coordinator/Regional Epidemiologist Phone (303) 271-5742Phone (303) 271-5742

VacantVacant Regional PlannerRegional Planner Phone (303) 271-5772Phone (303) 271-5772