10/4/2013. Disaster Preparedness in 2013: Where Are We? Where Should We Be?

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1 Disaster Preparedness in 2013: Where Are We? Where Should We Be? Discuss progress made since 9/11 Describe federal infrastructure & legal changes post-9/11 Describe Hurricane Katrina s affect on re-focusing preparedness and response Acknowledge challenges that remain at all levels of government and their implications 1

2 9/11 Anthrax letters Never again no matter what it takes! Response at World Trade Center versus the Pentagon The US Department of Homeland Security stood up on March 1, 2003 National Response Plan (2004) developed Federal funding plentiful with no strings attached Presidential Directives published fast and furious! #1 10/29/2001 Organization & Operation of the Homeland Security Council #2 10/29/2001 Combating Terrorism through Immigration Policies #3 3/11/2002 Creation of a Homeland Security Advisory System #5 2/28/2003 Management of Domestic Incidents Using NIMS #8 12/17/2003 National Preparedness & An Allhazard Preparedness Goal #9 1/30/2004 Defense of United States Agriculture & Food #10 4/28/2004 Biodefense for the 21st Century #18 1/31/2007 Medical Countermeasures against Weapons of Mass Destruction 2

3 USA Patriot Act (Oct. 26, 2001) Model State Emergency Health Powers Act (2001) The Public Health Security & Bioterrorism Preparedness & Response Act of 2002: Title I - National Preparedness for Bioterrorism and Other Public Health Emergencies; Title II - Enhancing Controls on Dangerous Biological Agents and Toxins; Title III - Protecting Safety and Security of Food and Drug Supply; Title IV - DrinkingWater Security and Safety; and Title V - Additional Provisions. Hurricane Pam Exercise Lack of vertical and horizontal integration apparent National Disaster Medical System comes out from under FEMA Emphasis refocused to include natural disasters 3

4 PAHPA enacted to improve the Nation s public health and medical preparedness and response capabilities for emergencies, whether deliberate, accidental, or natural. Established the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR); provided new authorities for a number of programs, including the advanced development and acquisitions of medical countermeasures; and called for the establishment of a quadrennial National Health Security Strategy. Federal funding s strings are attached more firmly to ensure measurable outcomes Public health gains respect Andrew Speaker (2007) Pan flu (2009) National Response Framework & Guidelines instead of Plan and Goal Folks learn to play together across jurisdictions and disciplines Funding decreases with 2008 recession Initiatives struggle Folks leave workforce due to graying out Little upward mobility for next generation of emergency responders Political divisions (and budget issues) impact progress Preparedness & response become more reactive than proactive 4

5 Discuss opportunities for individuals to strengthen preparedness Discuss the importance of the Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA) process Describe the planning that needs to occur based on an HVA Discuss the importance of a Go Bag and how to assemble one First responders are rarely first on the scene ordinary people are! Planning for your family s safety is your responsibility and civic duty. Emergency planners and governmental officials are preparing their jurisdictions but that may not translate into preparedness in your home, school, church, cub scout troop, soccer club, etc. Only you can do that!!!!!!!! 5

6 Shotgun approach to preparedness is not efficient--preparedness based on a hazard vulnerability analysis is! Depending on the hazards you identify, plan mitigation strategies and responses for those that are likely and highly likely to occur that will have critical or catastrophic results. This allows you to focus your planning so that you are able to mitigate, prepare, respond and recover from those events. Unlikely Possible Likely Highly Likely Catastrophic Wildfire House Fire Critical Break-in Flooding Tornado High winds Limited Ice Storm Severe Lightning Negligible Power outage 6

7 Unlikely Possible Likely Highly Likely Catastrophic Wildfire House Fire Critical Limited Break-in Flooding Tornado Ice storm Power outage High winds Severe Lightning Negligible Mitigation o No smoking materials are thrown away until sure they are out/cool o No open burning of candles o No unattended cooking o Know where gas meter is and how to shut off Preparedness o Have fire extinguishers on hand o Plan escape routes o Decide on rally point outside o Inventory belongings 7

8 Response o Call 911 o Stop, drop and roll o Use fire extinguisher effectively o Put lid on pot, etc. Recover o Insurance o Rebuild o Attend to psychological needs Mitigation o Have full tanks of oxygen & flashlights on hand Preparedness o Have tubing & key wrench attached to tank Response o Switch over to tank when alarm from oxygen concentrator sounds o Turn switches off to prevent a surge when power returns Recovery o Replenish oxygen supply You are not always going to be present. It allows someone not as familiar to review the steps of the plan. It allows you to train and practice. It allows you to revise the plan after you have had to put it into action or prn. It helps actions become second nature. It may just save a life! 8

9 Unlikely Possible Likely Highly Likely Catastrophic Fire Critical Active Shooter Tornado Limited High winds Severe Lightning Negligible Power outage Mitigation o Secure outdoor items o Locks to secure doors Preparedness o Have a weather radio o Receive weather alerts o Determine process for alerting coworkers a code perhaps? Response o Move to an inner room 9

10 Mitigation o Work with law enforcement to identify procedures o Encourage employees to alert management who will alert authorities when a potentially volatile situation/danger exists o Identify safe rooms Preparedness o Keep procedure readily available o Keep phone numbers posted & in cell phones Respond o Per plan Recover o Per plan Your children s school o Familiarize yourself with emergency procedures o Ask children if they drill for most likely events o Ask to see the plan Sporting venues (e.g., golf course, soccer games) o Formulate a plan with your child, spouse, etc. Church o Formulate a plan with your clergy & leadership Civic group meetings/gatherings Formulate a plan with the membership 10

11 Shares research about ordinary people s response in disasters: few panic; many do nothing Provides lessons learned from disasters & how to train to respond effectively First phase: Denial Second phase: Deliberation Third phase:the Decisive Moment Laughter or silence is a classic manifestation of denial. Delay is also World Trade Center survivors waited 6 minutes on average to head downstairs. Why? Things have always worked out in the past, and It takes a while to come to terms with and to process what is happening. Our brains search for data to make a decision. 11

12 The more prepared you are, the more in control you feel, and the less fear you will experience. (Ripley, p. 70) People perform best when heart rates are beats per minute. We react quickly, see clearly and manage complex motor skills. Above this, our performance deteriorates quickly. We can stretch out our survival zone through training and experience. The best way to negotiate stress is through repeated, realistic training so we embed the behavior in our subconscious. Employing combat breathing can help to keep us calm: o Breathe in for 4 sec., out for 4 and hold for 4. Studies have shown that we perform better under stress if we think we can handle it. We can exercise our brains to think about disasters so our brains develop shortcuts should we need them. If we are particularly frightened of something, we should prepare for that too in order to increase control & decrease dread. 12

13 Mitigate o Know the statistics o Avoid known hazards (e.g., ice, thunderstorms) Prepare o Dress appropriately o Select seat to maximize feelings of control o Listen to safety briefing, read materials and locate exits o Keep seatbelt on Respond o Follow directions o Don t try to reunite with others seated in other rows o Leave overhead luggage alone retrieving it wastes time and the luggage becomes obstacles in the dark and chaos. o Other tips available at Walk down the stairs when staying at a hotel to see where they exit may not be out of doors. Check stairwell doors at work and other places to see if they lock behind you this information will help you formulate exit plans or stay put plans. Don t use group think to decide when to evacuate. 13

14 If you have to stop and think it through, then you will not have time to survive. (Ripley, p. 126) A Go Bag is a backpack or other suitable gear that contains the clothing, food, water and other items needed for a hour period. Each member of the family should have a Go Bag. o Take sufficient medications, toiletries, underwear, comfortable clothes, shoes and other personal items. o Include rain gear, flashlights, batteries, a radio, PPE, first aid supplies, a hygiene kit, waterless hand cleanser, etc. Also consider bringing bedding, sleeping mask, earplugs, anti-snoring aids, a swimsuit, beach sandals (shower facilities may not be clean or private), snacks, books, cards, games, etc. Make a list of items that will have to be packed at the last minute (e.g., medicines, sunglasses, money, book). 14

15 Consider including a whistle to signal for help, dust mask or cotton t-shirt to filter the air, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, can opener, plastic sheeting and duct tape, garbage bags and ties. Put important documents in zip-lock bags in your Go Bag. Pack for the season & where you might be: insect repellant, sunscreen, gloves, hat, etc. Pack similar items in zip-lock plastic bags. Don t forget to plan for your pets food, water and medical needs. o Keep them on a leash or in a kennel. o Take a picture of them in case you are separated and need to locate them. 15

16 The Institute for Business & Home Safety for Map Your Neighborhood materials 16