[Temslist] FW: ESS Pandemic Guidance

[Tidewater EMS Council Listserv]

Forwarded for your information, of relevance to EMS and other
responders...

________________________________

From: Brasko, John [mailto:john.brasko at dhs.gov] 
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 1:05 PM
To: Alan Brook; Andrew Rosini; Ben Johnson; Chuck Boivin; Dave
Schwengel; Diane Depalma; emay at arlingtonva.us; jgaffney_13 at hotmail.com;
Jim Chandler; Joey Henderson; Michael Nucci; Nancy Collins; Reuben
Varghese; Sally Hardy; Vasquez, Michael A. - OEM; Bill Ginnow;
william.vannoy at fairfaxcounty.gov
Subject: ESS Pandemic Guidance 



 

I have just learned, from the Emergency Management and
Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center at the US Fire
Administration
(http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/subjects/emr-isac/index.shtm) of
the recent release of Pandemic Influenza Best Practices and Model
Protocols, containing guidance assembled specifically for the Emergency
Services Sector (ESS) by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the
Emergency Management Institute (EMI).

 

Initially drafted in early 2007 at the request of the Chief Medical
Officer of the Department of Homeland Security, the final version
includes model protocols for the fire service, emergency medical
services, law enforcement, emergency management, 9-1-1 call centers, and
public works.  Acknowledging that various geographic areas would have
different and valid procedures and equipment engaged in a pandemic, the
particular sector components were further examined based on their status
as metropolitan, urban, suburban, rural, and tribal, and their proximity
to special locations, e.g., military bases or sea ports.

 

The content, a synopsis of input from federal, state, local,
territorial, and tribal organizations, is applicable to other emerging
infectious disease occurrences or acts of bioterrorism.  It emphasizes
that a pandemic event would not have clearly defined "trigger points" to
guide the implementation of a pandemic plan.  However, since a community
would continue to require public services, ESS organizations "must take
a pro-active stance and be prepared to recognize hazards associated with
a potential outbreak and implement prevention and protection measures
for their workforce."  The EMR-ISAC recognizes this as appropriate
critical infrastructure protection planning.

 

One of the significant challenges for response organizations during a
pandemic is that mutual aid would be hindered by "an anticipated loss of
30 to 40 percent" of a local workforce in neighboring communities.
Therefore, it is imperative for all components of the ESS within a
defined region to work together to plan and develop pandemic response
procedures.  These courses of action should be tested and refined to
ensure that responders "remain healthy and essential capabilities to
protect communities remain viable and available" if a pandemic occurs.

 

Pandemic Influenza Best Practices and Model Protocols (38 pages) can be
viewed at
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/PI_Best_Practices_Model.pdf.
Additional information about pandemic influenza and planning is
available at www.pandemicflu.gov <http://www.pandemicflu.gov/> . 

 

================================

John Brasko

Regional Preparedness Officer Region-III

Department of Homeland Security

Federal Emergency Management Agency 

National Preparedness Directorate

Capabilities Division

615 Chestnut St - Sixth Floor

Philadelphia PA 19106-4404

john.brasko at dhs.gov <blocked::mailto:john.brasko at dhs.gov> 

O:  215.931.5574

F:  215.931.5539

================================

 

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