Public Health and Disaster Response

1. Public Health and Disaster Response How you can help support the Role of Public Health in Disasters

2. Objectives • Develop knowledge of the public health system as a network protecting community health. • Understand the Public Health Infrastructure. • Identify the purpose of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), “push packages” and Managed Inventory. • Understand how the SNS is distributed within the local community following an emergency. • Comprehend the components of Points of Dispensing (POD) operations for mass prophylaxis. • Realize how MRC volunteers would be used in POD operations. • Recognize the role of the MEDS|POD system in Kansas City metropolitan POD operations.

3. Public Health System A public health system includes: all public, private, and voluntary entities that contribute to the delivery of public health services within a jurisdiction. • A public health system is: a network of entities with differing roles, relationships, and interactions. • All entities that contribute to the health and well-being of the community are included.

4. Voluntary Agencies Social Services Churches State Partners Federal Partners Physicians PublicInfo Fire An Example of the Local Public Health System: Bioterrorism Medical Examiner Hospitals Health Department Emergency Management EMS Police Civil Defense Labs Funeral Homes Mental Health

5. Public Health SystemInfrastructure Model PublicHealth Response • Bioterrorism • Emerging infections • Other health threats Essential capabilities Laboratory Practice Epidemic Investigation Surveillance Basic infrastructure Information & Knowledge Systems WorkforceCompetency OrganizationalCapacity

6. How you can help • Prepare yourself and family • Advanced Planning • Emergency Kit • Advocate preparedness to your community • Schools • Civic Organizations • Churches • etc.

7. How you can help, part 2 • Training • Core Medical Reserve Corps Courses • Participation • Training & Exercise Opportunities • Mass Prophylaxis • Point of Dispensing (POD) Clinic Operations

8. Mass Prophylaxis • Protect the citizens of the affected area(s) from harmful bioterrorism and/or nuclear agents • Must occur rapidly (< 48 Hours) • Requires coordination of public and private sector in unprecedented ways to achieve the objectives

9. SNS Concept of Operations A 5-Tiered Response Program • 12-Hour Push Packages • Managed Inventory (formerly VMI) • Storage & Rapid Deployment of Vaccines, Antivirals and Antitoxins • Buying Power/Surge Capacity • Technical Advice

10. Strategic National Stockpile • Medications – Oral and Injectable • IV Fluids and Tubing (no pumps) • Disposables • Vaccines & Anti-toxins • Ventilators • Specific list of contents is closely held

11. SNS Distribution • Request must come from Governor to CDC and be based upon evidence • Critical medical supplies and equipment to be used when local supplies are depleted or likely to be depleted

12. SNS – Federal to State • SNS Arrives at State RSS • RSS “unpacks” and “repacks” • Repackaged products delivered to… • Local Public Health Agencies (LPHA) • Regional POD • Other Community Partners • Hospitals

13. Air and Ground Transport

14. Operations Overview • Medication Dispensing or Vaccination • Referred to as PODs (Point of Dispensing) • Accommodate large numbers of people • Site not typically used for health care

15. Example POD Layout

18. Example Roles • Greeters • Registration • Dispensers • Special Needs Providers • Psychosocial

19. Greeters

20. Registration

21. Dispensers

22. Special Needs Provider

23. Psycho-Social Support

24. Summary • Volunteers are critical for response efforts • Basic concepts and understanding of Incident Command is crucial • Specific training will be simple and relevant to the disaster and your role