Bioterrorism &

Natural Precious So
NSG 411
Disaster Report March 13, 2010
PHN Role in Bioterrorism
 Nursing Role in Surveillance :
Ø Mini-Surveillance system

Ø Identifying the presence of infectious diseases

Ø Tracking and identifying cases

Ø Notifying the proper authorities

Ø Implementing disease containment programs

 In the Event of a Bioterrorism Attack nurses
can :
Ø Help people cope with aftermath of terrorism

Ø Address public concerns and fears of bioterrorism

Ø Assist victims to think positively and to move towards the

future.

Ø Prepare nursing personnel to be effective in a

crisis/emergency situation.

Levels of Prevention
 Primary Prevention
Ø Participate in developing a disaster management
plan for the community


 Secondary Prevention
Ø Assess disaster victims and triage for care


 Tertiary Prevention
Ø Participate in home visits to uncover dangers
that may cause additional injury to victims
or provoke other problems

Hospital Preparedness Level
Hospital Preparedness
 
Program
Ø Enhances the ability of hospitals
and health care systems to prepare
for and respond to bioterrorism
and other public health
emergencies
Ø Program priority areas include
interoperable communication
systems, bed tracking, personnel
management, fatality management
planning, & hospital evacuation
planning.
Ø to share personnel or



Status of Hospitals
Ø To prepare for bioterrorism
and natural disasters,
hospitals are engaging in a
variety of planning and
coordinating activities:
Ø Preparing an emergency
response plan addressing
bioterrorism
Ø Participating in local, state,
or regional interagency
disaster preparedness
committee
Ø Making agreements with at
least one other organization
equipment in the event of a
bioterrorist or other mass
casualty incident.
 Local Hospital Disaster
Preparedness Plan
 Scripps Health ’ s Office of Disaster
Preparedness Plan
Ø One of the region’s first responders to local disasters

Ø Creating disaster response policies and procedures and training

staff across the system in disaster response procedures.

Ø Coordinating with other first-responder and government planning

agencies locally, statewide and nationally on disaster planning.

Ø Securing and managing the equipment and supply needs in a

potential disaster.

Ø Planning with each Scripps facility to maintain a safe care

environment for patients, physicians and staff during a disaster.

Ø Anticipating new disaster threats and providing necessary

information and training.

Ø Managing the deployment of the Scripps Medical Response Team (SMRT)

of physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and
administrative staff to respond to disaster-related medical
needs.
Natural Disaster:
Wildfires
 Wildfires
Ø Any uncontrolled blaze that
burns through forest, trees,
brush, grass, or other "natural"
plant fuel on undeveloped or
"wild" lands.
Ø On average, more than 100,000
wildfires clear 4 million to 5
million acres of land in the
U.S. every year.
Ø 3 conditions that need to be
present in order for a wildfire
to burn: Fuel, Oxygen, and a
Heat source.
 Family Disaster Plan:
Preparing for Wildfires
 Supplies
Ø A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't
spoil

Ø One change of clothing and footwear per person and one blanket or sleeping
bag per person

Ø A first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications

Ø Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of

extra batteries; multipurpose tool

Ø An extra set of car keys, cash, and a credit card,

Ø Sanitation supplies.

Ø Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.

Ø Keep important family documents in a waterproof container.

Ø
Family Disaster Plan: Preparing
for Wildfires
Ø Learn about wild fire risks in your area.
Ø Talk with members of your household about wild
fires - how to prevent them and what to do if
one occurs.
Ø Post emergency phone numbers by every phone in
your home.
Ø Make sure driveway entrances and your house number
or address are clearly marked.
Ø Identify and maintain an adequate water source
outside your home, such as a small pond, cistern,
well or swimming pool.
Ø Set aside household items that can be used as fire
tools: a rake, ax, hand saw or chain saw, bucket
and shovel. You may need to fight small fires
before emergency responders arrive.
Family Disaster Plan: Preparing
for Wildfires Cont.
Ø Select building materials and plants that resist fire.
Ø Regularly clean roofs and gutters.
Plan ahead and stay as safe as possible during a wild


fire .
Ø Plan and practice two ways out of your neighborhood in case
your primary route is blocked.
Ø Select a place for family members to meet outside your
neighborhood in case you cannot get home or need to
evacuate.
Ø Identify someone who is out of the area to contact if local
phone lines are not working.
What To Do During a
Wildfire
In case of reports of wildfires in your area :


Ø Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

Ø Listen to local radio and television stations for updated
emergency information.
Ø Always back your car into the garage or park it in an open
space facing the direction of escape.
Ø If you have a ladder, prop it against the house so you and
firefighters have access to roof.
Ø If hoses and adequate water are available set them up. Fill
buckets with water.
Ø Remove combustible materials from the area surrounding your
house. (lawn chairs, tables, etc.)
Ø Turn a light on in each room for visibility in case of smoke.
Ø Arrange for temporary housing at a friend or relative’s home
outside the threatened area.
What To Do During
a Wildfire Cont.
 Limit exposure to heat , smoke , and dust
Ø Listen and watch for air quality reports and
health warnings about smoke
Ø Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and
doors to prevent outside smoke from getting in
Ø When smoke levels are high, do not use anything
that burns and adds to indoor air pollution,
such as candles, fireplaces and gas stoves. Do
not vacuum because it stirs up particles that
are already inside your home.
Ø If you have asthma or another lung disease,
follow your health care provider's advice and
seek medical care if your symptoms worsen.
What To Do After a Wildfire
Ø Check with fire officials before attempting to return to
your home.

Ø Use caution when entering burned areas as hazards may still

exist, including hot spots, which can flare up without
warning.

Ø Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles and downed wires.

Ø Watch for ash pits and mark them for safety—warn family
and neighbors to keep clear of the pits also.

Ø Follow public health guidance on safe cleanup of fire ash

and safe use of masks.

Ø Wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles.

Ø Wear leather gloves and heavy soled shoes to protect hands

and feet.

Ø Cleaning products, paint, batteries and damaged fuel

containers need to be disposed of properly to avoid risk.
What To Do After a Wildfire
Cont.
Ensure your food and water are safe .


Ø Discard any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or

soot.

Ø Do NOT ever use water that you think may be contaminated to

wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make
ice or make baby formula.

Continue to check for problem areas for



several days .
Ø Contact 911 if any danger is perceived.

Ø If burning outside your home was extensive, watch for soil

erosion.

Ø Consult local experts on the best way to restore and

replant your land with fire safe landscaping.


 Evaluation of the Nation’s
Current Level of Preparedness
 Bioterrorism
Ø The HHS, CDC, National Institute for Health, Food and Drug
Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of
Education, and the Department of Homeland security are working
together to help better prepare the public for bioterrorism
attacks.

Ø Preparedness activities in bioterrorism and public health

emergencies fall into the broad categories of prevention,
detection, and response.

Areas of particularly strong progress included :



Ø Designation of executive directors of preparedness programs

Ø Establishment of bioterrorism advisory committees

Ø Expanded coverage of epidemiologists

Ø Development of plans to improve relationships and communication

between laboratories
 Evaluation of the Nation’s
Current Level of Preparedness
 Wildfires
Ø Many communities are rising to the challenge of adapting to life with wildfire.
These adaptations focus on ways to increase wildfire preparedness

Ø The Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 encourages communities to work with
local units of government to develop community wildfire protection plans that
will improve preparedness by decreasing fuels and structural ignitability

Desired outcomes of improving community preparedness include :



Ø Increasing readiness

Ø Decreasing emergency response time

Ø Minimizing negative impacts

Ø Facilitating restoration and recovery efforts

Ø

Evaluation of the Nation’s
Current Level of Preparedness
Cont.
2010 California Fire and Building Standards


Adopted
Ø Updated fire and building codes developed to increase fire
resistance in buildings and homes across California will
take effect in January 2011.

Ø A portion of the newly adopted codes focus on regulations

for homes built in the wildland-urban interface in order
to make them more ember resistant, increasing structure
survivability.

Ø Additional amendments relate to tire storage, dry cleaning,

and automatic extinguishing systems.

Ø A key component in the 2010 code adoption is the addition

of residential fire sprinklers in all new one and two
family and town-home construction.

Ø These sprinkler systems are proven to save lives and

extinguish fires. More than 100 jurisdictions in
California already have a local residential fire
sprinkler ordinance.

Ø
 References
 Akins, R.B., Williams, J.R., Silenas, R., & Edwards, J.C. (2005). The role of public health
nurses in bioterrorism preparedness. Disaster Management & Response, 3(4). 98-105.
 American Red Cross. (2010). Preparedness fast facts. Retrieved March 13, 2010, from
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.53fabf6cc033f17a2b1ecfbf43181aa0/?vgnextoid=
b962779a32ecb110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD.
 Cal Fire. (2010). Before, during, and after a wildfire. Retrieved March 13, 2010, from
http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/fact_sheets/BeforeDuringAfter.pdf.
 Cal Fire. (2010). 2010 California fire and building standards adopted. Retrieved
March 13, 2010, from http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/newsreleases/2010/
FireCodesNR.pdf.
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2010). Wildfires fact sheet.
Retrieved March 13, 2010, from http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/facts.asp.
 Jakes, P., Kruger, L., Monroe, M., Nelson, K., Sturtevant, V. (2007). Improving wildfire
preparedness: Lessons from communities across the U.S. Human Ecology Review, 14(2).
188-197.



 References
National Geographic. (2010). Wildfires: Dry, cold, and windy. Retrieved March 13,


2010, from
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/wildfires/
.

Scripps Health. (2009). Disaster preparedness. Retrieved March 13, 2010, from


http://www.scripps.org/about-us__news-center__for-media__issues-briefs__disaster-prepare
.

The Common Wealth Fund. (2005). State preparedness for bioterrorism and public


health emergencies. Retrieved March 13, 2010, from

http://www.commonwealthfund.org/usr_doc/829_Garfield_bioterrorism.pdf.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2010). The hospital preparedness


program (HPP). Retrieved March 13, 2010, from http://www.hhs.gov/aspr/opeo/hpp/.

U.S. Fire Administration. (2008). Wildfire – Are you prepared? Retrieved March


13, 2010, from

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/all_citizens/home_fire_prev/wildfire/.

United States General Accounting Office. (2003). Hospital preparedness.



Retrieved March 13, 2010, from http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d03924.pdf.