A new state website has been launched as a resource for
Californians impacted by wildfires and utility power shutoffs.
RESPONSE.CA.GOV is a
portal to local and state services, including information on
shelters, housing, transportation, health and emergency
preparedness.
Recognizing the importance of learning from recent disasters and
from one another, more than 700 hospital and disaster response
officials from across California gathered in Pasadena this week
at CHA’s annual Disaster Planning for California Hospitals
conference.
Seasonal firefighters, new fire engines, and a state of emergency
declaration to expedite forest management projects are just three
of the highlights in this executive order. Full text below:
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-16-19
July 31, 2019
WHEREAS California experienced the deadliest and
most destructive wildfires in its history in 2017 and 2018,
devastating areas throughout California; and
FEMA’s National Integration Center has developed and released a
Senior Leader Toolkit, a resource that both emergency management
and senior leaders can use to discuss roles and responsibilities
during incidents.
The toolkit
is available on the FEMA
website and includes an Elected Officials/Senior
Executives Quick Reference Guide, a Department Head Quick
Reference Guide, and a NIMS Senior Leader Briefing Template.
The resources linked below were developed by a federal
interagency working group to address fourth generation agents,
know as Novichoke or A-series nerve agents.
The findings from Governor Newsom’s strike force has been
compiled into the report Wildfires and Climate Change: California’s Energy
Future. The report has recommended changes to strengthen
wildfire prevention and response. The strike force will continue
to work this issue and take action on the the report ideas.
Wildfires. Mudslides. Floods. Mass shootings. These once rare or
infrequent events have become regular occurrences, and no two
disasters are ever the same. Now more than ever, hospitals
must reevaluate our procedures and redefine preparation.
From communication to compliance, it is time to rethink our
strategies and prepare for the new normal.
This issue of The Exchange highlights lessons learned,
trends, and future initiatives shared by support service staff
(e.g., nutritional, pharmaceutical, and blood supply fields) in
response to mass casualty incidents.
FEMA is releasing a new community lifelines toolkit to assist
emergency managers in identifying their critical needs and
resources during disaster response. To download a copy of the
toolkit visit https://www.fema.gov/plan.
On his first day in office Governor Newsom announced disaster
preparedness and recovery as a priority in the wake of another
catastrophic fire season.
Executive Order N-05-19 guides state agencies to add a
socioeconomic angle to risk management. Additionally,
Executive Order N-04-19 revamps the way the state contracts
for technology systems.
The Hospital
Preparedness Program, funded by DHS, trains U.S. health care
systems for disaster readiness to include exercises, training,
tools, and technical assistance.
Government scientists have classified 18 U.S.
volcanoes as “very high threat” because of what’s been
happening inside them and how close they are to people. Three of
those are located in California: Mount Shasta, Lassen volcanic
center, and Long Valley Cadera.
Read full article here.
The Pacific
Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Southern
California Edison have begun public safety power shut
off programs in various California counties as part of their
Community Wildfire Safety programs.
When a disaster strikes, access to services becomes even more
critical. And yet hospital staff and emergency services providers
can be victims of that same disaster. ASPR TRACIE has released an
updated version of its Tips
for Retaining and Caring for Staff after a Disaster to guide
facility executives in assisting staff through the recovery
period.
OnSite Temp
Housing is a leading provider in the United States for
temporary housing rental from construction site
and construction office rentals to natural disaster housing
and portable homes.
The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal FIRE) serves
and safeguards the people and protects the property and resources
of California. The Cal Fire
Website offers tips and information on hot topics, incident
information, and social media links to keep you informed on the
go.
The California Department of Health has shared the Hot
Summer Weather Advisory to remind health care facilities to
implement precautionary measures to protect patients in the heat,
have a contingency plan in place, and report extreme conditions.
Also included is a list of tips to stay cool during the hot days
of summer.
The CDC warns there is an increasing threat with limited capacity
to respond. To learn more about how to protect yourself, read the
full background and information on the CDC Vital Signs
Web page.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the
California Department of Public Health have issued Health
Advisories and travel alerts on the Zika Virus. The Zika virus is
spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms
of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and
conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with
symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease
requiring hospitalization is uncommon. In May 2015, the Pan
American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the
first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. The outbreak in
Brazil led to reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome and pregnant
women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor
pregnancy outcomes. For more
information.
