By: Mollie Melbourne
Preparing for disasters is easy to put off – but by the time you realize how unprepared you are for a disaster or emergency, it’s too late. Why not Resolve to be Ready in 2012? FEMA has put together a plethora of great resources to guide individuals, families, and organizations in the process of preparation. Who’s with me?
By: Mollie Melbourne
Last year was a great reminder that earthquakes can happen anywhere at anytime. The Great Central US Shake Out is planned for February 7, 2012 at 10:15 a.m. If you are in one of nine states participating (click here for a list), consider joining in. You can participate as an individual, family, or as organization. No time like the present, or February 7, to remind your family, friends, patients, and colleagues to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On!” Learn more here.
By: Mollie Melbourne
The National Association of Community Health Centers is pleased to announce a no-cost webinar on Joint Commission Emergency Management Standards for Health Centers on February 2, 2012 at 2:00 PM ET. This 60 minute session will provide an overview on the 2012 Ambulatory Care Standards for Emergency Management and offer an opportunity for participants to ask questions. Reserve your spot today! Click here to register.
By: Mollie Melbourne
Looking to brush up on your emergency management skills and education? The CDC has compiled a list of online and in-person training opportunities on a variety of topics. Visit this webpage to learn more.
The National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health has put together a compendium filled with free online courses related to personal preparedness, healthcare preparedness including a course for dentists, triage and mass care, threat specific courses, risk communication, disaster mental health, and more. A number of them also offer continuing education credits – and did I mention that all the courses listed are free?
Do you know of other sources for emergency management training? We’d love to hear from you.
By: Mollie Melbourne
Yes, the power is in your hands to prevent the Flu! Imagine how great it would be if you or your family were never sick again from a respiratory infection! What diseases you ask? For example: Flu, flu-like illness, common cold, conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, TB and more.
Occurring simultaneously with the National Influenza Vaccination Week, Henry the Hand celebrates National Handwashing Awareness Week from December 4-10. During ths week, Henry reminds us about the 4 Principles of Hand Awareness:
1. Wash your hands when they are dirty and BEFORE eating
2. DO NOT cough into your hands
3. DO NOT sneeze into your hands
4. Above all, DO NOT put your fingers into your eyes, nose or mouth
Great advice during National Handwashing Awareness Week – and every other week of the year!
By: Mollie Melbourne
The CDC has developed a number of resources for refugee populations in languages such as Amharic, Farsi, and Nepali. Take a look at this page for information and patient resources that provide a flu overview, prevention methods, ways to help kids avoid the flu through healthy habits, and tips for caring for sick children.
By: Mollie Melbourne
Spread joy this holiday season, not the flu! There is still plenty of time to get a flu vaccination to protect you and your loved ones from influenza. The CDC launched National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) in 2005 to remind people of the importance of getting a flu shot – even during the holiday season. For more information on influenza and CDC’s recommendations, visit the NIVW website. To find a flu shot in your area, check with your primary care provider or visit the flu.gov website.
By: Mollie Melbourne
Direct Relief International announced last week that it is providing additional health care assistance to the people affected by the tornados and storms. Direct Relief will provide grants totaling $258,306 to five clinics and health centers in regions of Missouri and Illinois that suffered extensive damage from tornados and flooding. The funding will enable these clinics, which have experienced economic damage and surges in patient loads since the storms, to continue to provide healthcare service to low-income, uninsured patients. The funding will also help prepare two of the clinics for future emergencies.
In response to the devastating tornados and storms in the Midwest, East and Southeast this year, Direct Relief has provided $3.8 million (wholesale) worth of specifically requested medicines and health supplies to 40 clinics and local response agencies in 14 states. The medical aid includes over 6,000 doses of vaccines, first aid supplies and medications to manage chronic conditions. Continuity of care and access to medications and supplies are essential for people with chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and asthma, which are seen in relatively high incidence among clinic patient populations.
“We are fortunate to be able to partner with the health clinics that have been a lifeline to so many in the aftermath of the tornado that struck six months ago,” said Damon Taugher, Director of Direct Relief USA. “Safety net clinics are the medical homes for many low-income, uninsured people. These clinics played an integral role for vulnerable people in their communities immediately after the tornadoes, and they continue to do so. The tornado may have lasted only a few minutes, but it caused the type of personal, financial, and property devastation that lasts for a very long time.”
Direct Relief is the only nonprofit in the United States that is licensed to provide prescription medications in all 50 United States and has extensive experience responding to emergencies throughout the U.S. and internationally. The organization supports over 1,000 safety net clinics in all 50 states, providing needed medicines and medical supplies on an ongoing basis and enabling rapid response during emergencies. More than 100 healthcare companies provide material donations to Direct Relief for this program.
Following the devastating spring storms in the US, the online gaming company Zynga raised over $200,000 by creating an opportunity within “Mafia Wars” for gamers to purchase a special item with proceeds devoted entirely to Direct Relief’s relief and recovery efforts.
By: Mollie Melbourne
Have a good idea about emergency management? FEMA wants to hear from you! At the recent International Association of Emergency Managers Annual Conference, Deputy Administrator Rich Serino announced the establishment of the FEMA Think Tank. This consists of two parts:
Learn more here. And don’t be shy – share your thoughts with FEMA. They are listening!
By: Mollie Melbourne
On Wednesday, November 9, 2011 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) held the first ever national test of the Emergency Alert System. The FCC is collecting data from Broadcasters and Cable Operators until December 24, 2011 about the outcome of the test in their area. While it will take some time for the official results of the test to be released, there are numerous reports of TV and radio stations either playing the alert late or not at all. Others report that the test worked exactly as it should have. But let’s remember that’s the point of a test like this – to find out what works and what doesn’t so we can fix it before we need to rely on a nationwide emergency alert.
So take this exercise as an opportunity to test the communications plan in your organization. How will you get critical information to your staff, patients, and key stakeholders during an emergency? Is your contact information up to date? What languages do you need to communicate in? What if the communications mechanisms you normally use aren’t available? Spend a little time reviewing your communications plan – and then test your plan before you need to use it during an emergency. Trust me, it is time well-spent.
