PUBLIC HEALTH ARCHIVES
Mapping: An Increasingly Valuable Emergency Management Tool
Kay C. Goss
November 30, 2011
Since the mid-19th century, the method for mapping disasters has evolved from hard-copy maps with manually plotted cases of cholera outbreaks to advanced satellite-based global information systems. The development, introduction, and use of a broad spectrum of GIS systems that can pinpoint – quickly, precisely, and on a continuing basis
Emerging Technology Enables Mass Patient Evacuations
Bruce Clements
November 16, 2011
From time to time, hospitals themselves can be dangerous to a patient’s health. That is particularly true when a patient is being transferred or evacuated, and even more so when a large number of patients are being evacuated at the same time. This is precisely why RFIDs, JPATS, and GPS
Tracking and Locating Fire and Emergency Personnel
Christina Spoons
November 9, 2011
As firefighters and other emergency responders well know, disaster may be lurking just around the next corner. Or maybe in the burning room one floor below. Which is why breadcrumbs and a working PASS or any other reliable type of tracking-and-location system are so important in fighting fires. “The life
Identifying Biological Hazards as They Happen
Joseph Cahill
November 2, 2011
Start at the beginning … or even earlier. The process for handling potential mass-casualty incidents – particularly when biological hazards are involved – is critical when lowering exposure risk and abating the spread of a toxic agent: Develop comprehensive response plans as far in advance as possible, gather the supplies
Sacramento P.D. Incorporates Training with Private-Sector Businesses
Domestic Preparedness
October 26, 2011
“Treat your employees right and they will treat the customers right.” That is both the motto and the official policy of the Sacramento, California, Police Department (P.D.). And, thanks to some helpful advice from Target and other area businesses, the results show it – a surprising drop in the local
MCM Dispensing: The Public Health Point of View
Raphael M. Barishansky and Audrey Mazurek
October 26, 2011
To plan for and defeat the frequently changing threats posed by pandemics (both natural and terrorist-related) requires advance planning, comprehensive training, and stockpiling mountains of supplies, including medications needed to protect literally millions of citizens. But these efforts involve numerous complexities.
HICS National Summit: Building on the Past, Preparing for the Future
Craig DeAtley
October 26, 2011
A distinguished DomPrep40 Advisor presents his exclusive insider’s report on a “Summit Meeting” held in California earlier this month during which the nation’s current Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) guidelines were discussed, debated, and dissected in minute detail. New policies that will develop as a result may well affect the
Public Health Lessons from Hurricane Irene & Tropical Storm Lee
Beth McAteer
October 19, 2011
Lee caused less damage and fewer fatalities, but vigorously reinforced the lethal lessons learned from Irene less than two months ago – namely, that: (a) There is absolutely no substitute for advance planning; (b) Planning must be as totally comprehensive, in every way, as is humanly possible; and (c) That
The Public Health Ethics of Contagion
Bruce Clements
October 12, 2011
The recent film Contagion illustrates the challenges a society may experience when facing a rapidly spreading and highly lethal virus. Director Steven Soderbergh carefully constructed the film to reflect a realistic public health and medical response to a severe pandemic. Many of the technical public health aspects of the film
Radiological and Psychological Medical Countermeasures
Sophia Paros
October 12, 2011
As natural and manmade disasters increase in intensity, the need for hospital preparedness plans, as well as mass relocation plans, becomes critical when taking into account the public health and medical needs of at-risk individuals and groups in the event of a public health emergency.
Afterglow – Countering the Deadly Effects of Radiation
Joseph Cahill
October 5, 2011
Silent, odor-free, invisible, and deadly: The radiation left by a dirty bomb, hazmat spill, or laboratory accident is usually difficult to detect and represents a “double danger” not only to those already on the scene of a potential mass-casualty incident but also to the EMTs and first responders seeking to
CDP’s School Bus Enhances Mass Triage Scenario
Shannon Arledge
October 5, 2011
The “first child” could not be saved, which meant that considerable time had already been wasted. But real life is a grim teacher – which is exactly why the Center for Domestic Preparedness makes its chilling incident scenarios as lifelike and realistic as possible. The end result: Invaluable training for
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