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:
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.
