Emergency Preparedness and Response: Understanding Key Elements

and Your Role

New Hire Orientation

Prepared by:New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response (OEPR)

Objectives Outline

1. NYC DOHMH’s role in an emergency2. Overview of OEPR’s key functions3. Emergency notification process4. Personal preparedness

Types of Potential Emergencies: CBERNChemical• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning• Chlorine Poisoning• Sarin Gas

Biological• Smallpox• Pandemic Flu (H1N1)• Anthrax• Salmonella Infection

Explosive• Pipe Bomb• Improvised Explosive Device or accidental explosion of industrial or agricultural materials• Dynamite

Radiological/Nuclear• Dirty Bomb• Accidental release from medical or industrial device

Natural• Extreme heat• Coastal storms• Snowstorms• Earthquakes

1999: West Nile Virus

2001: 9/11 and Anthrax letters

2003: Northeast Blackout

2004: Republican National Convention radiological incident

2005: Transit Strike2006: Inhalational Anthrax: African

Drummer

2007: Steam Pipe Explosion and

Deutsche Bank Fire

2008: West Village Hepatitis A Exposure

Spring 2009: H1N1 Response

Fall 2009: Fall Vaccination Campaign

2011: Hurricane Irene

2012: Hurricane Sandy

Past NYC DOHMH Responses

DOHMH Roles in Emergencies• Identify diseases and potential risk levels of certain

populations

• Provide guidance to the healthcare community regarding disease identification and treatment

• Provide emergency information to the public

• Distribute medication to the public

• Provide safety information to the public and emergency workers regarding potential hazards in different environments

• Coordinate mental health needs and services• Provide staff for emergency evacuation centers and

potential hurricane shelters• Continually provide critical agency services

OEPR’s Key Functions and Management Cycle

PLAN

TRAIN

EXERCISE

EVALUATE

DOHMH’s Incident Command System (ICS)

• Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized organizational structure used nationally by first response agencies, in situations when the existing organizational structure becomes overwhelmed (i.e., during emergencies).

• The DOHMH ICS:– Delineates roles by ICS title and experience, not day-to-day

responsibilities (*This means you may have a different assignment and supervisor during an emergency)

– Provides management tools to efficiently organize staff into clearly defined roles

– Facilitates clear communication by eliminating radio codes, slang and jargon

– Ensures safety of staff– Leverages the agency’s resources effectively

Understanding Continuity of Operations (COOP)

• Continuity of Operations (COOP) ensures the ability of an agency to continue its essential services during a wide rage of emergencies.

• Examples of essential services include:- Correctional Health Services- Death and Birth Certificate Issuance- Poison Control Center

Emergency Role Expectations• Responding to emergencies is a key part of DOMHM’s mission

and role in the city

• All DOHMH employees are expected to participate in emergency response if directed

• Staff may:- Work from a different location than usual- Work different and/or longer hours than usual- Perform tasks different from day-to-day work- Report to a supervisor different from your day-to-day supervisor

Other Assignments: Points of Dispensing (PODs)

• Points of Dispensing (PODs): sites opened when the emergency requires the mass distribution of vaccine or medication to the public

- POD Core Team Staff (leadership)• Set up and manage PODs• Make assignments for the General Staff• Attend training and exercises to practice

- General Staff• Have a POD assignment with direct public contact• Receive assignments and training at the POD

Other Assignments: Citywide Emergency List (CWL)

• Citywide Emergency List (CWL): made up of personnel from New York City agencies who may be called upon to work on citywide emergency operations

1. Hurricane shelters2. Evacuation Centers (usually in employee’s home borough)

• Examples of CWL positions:1. Operator2. Specialist3. General Staff

Get Prepared

• Review your emergency role• Train for your assignment• Develop a Family Preparedness Plan• Have a Go Bag• Visit NYC OEM’s website for

additional information and preparedness plans

Thank You!

OEPR looks forward to working with you in preparation for our next

emergency.

Questions?

Contact:

Thomas MauroDirector of Exercises and Training

tmauro1@health.nyc.gov347-396-2746

Rebecca BaronTraining Coordinator

rbaron1@health.nyc.gov347-396-2773