SAMHSA announced this week that its Disaster Distress Helpline can provide immediate counseling to anyone who may need help dealing with the problems that the Northern California wildfires have caused. The helpline’s number is 800.985.5990, and the resource is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Hospitals are girding for the presidential conventions and host cities are expecting the usual minor events. However, they are also preparing for bigger events such as terrorist attacks, riots, shootings and fistfights. The biggest concern is for demonstrations that may turn violent.
These concerns have resulted in hospitals holding off on elective surgeries; hospitals have also asked trauma surgeons to defer vacations, and they are stockpiling enough equipment — including surgical tools, medications, and linens — to last 96 hours without resupply.
A bark beetle epidemic (NewsDeeply Article Perfect Storm Brewing for California Fire Season) driven by drought is killing off millions of trees in the Sierra Nevada and increasing the fire risk as California starts another summer plagued by drought and higher temperatures. While California embraces another fire season, hospitals and health care providers should review their emergency operations plans, policies and procedures. To prepare, hospitals can download an evacuation, shelter-in-place and repopulation checklists at http://www.calhospitalprepare.org/evacuation. Additional resources for hospital employees on personal, family and pet preparedness are available at http://www.calhospitalprepare.org/personal-preparedness. For more information on this fire season, visit the Cal Fire website at http://www.fire.ca.gov/.
Recovering from a fire can be a physically and mentally draining process. When fire strikes, lives are suddenly turned around. Often, the hardest part is knowing where to begin and who to contact.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) United States Fire Administration (USFA) has gathered the following information to assist you in this time of need. Action on some of the suggestions will need to be taken immediately. Some actions may be needed in the future while others will be on going. The purpose of this information is to give you the assistance needed to assist you as you begin rebuilding your life.
