As Wildfires Continue, CHA Encourages Members to Assist Those Impacted
Hospitals and health care facilities across the state continue to respond to, and be affected by, the devastation caused by the Camp Fire in Northern California and the Woolsey and Hill fires in Southern California. Members who wish to donate are encouraged to support the following funds managed by hospitals:
Adventist Health Feather River — Adventist Health’s fire assistance fund is accepting donations to support hospital employees who have been impacted by the Camp Fire.
The HCA Hope Fund — An employee-run 501(c)(3) charity, HCA is providing grants to support hospital employees in Thousand Oaks who have been impacted by the Woolsey and Hill Fires.
Enloe Medical Center — Located in Chico, the site of multiple evacuation centers for the Camp Fire, Enloe Medical Center is accepting donations on behalf of those who have been displaced.
The Camp Fire stands as the most destructive — and deadliest — fire in the state’s history, and is currently 30 percent contained; the Woolsey and Hill fires are 35 percent contained. Yesterday, President Trump approved California’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, allowing the federal government to bolster ongoing emergency response. A state of emergency has been declared in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
On November 12, A Presidential Declaration was released stating that a major disaster exists in the State of California and that Federal aid would be ordered to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires beginning on November 8, 2018, and continuing. This action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Butte, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties.
On November 11,California requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to bolster emergency response and help residents recover from fires burning in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties. On November 12 Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the White House’s approval of the request for the Presidential Declaration.
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.
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.
