THE NEW JERSEY CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AT UMDNJ

UMDNJ - SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

>>>NJCPHP News PHlash <<<

MARCH 1 - MARCH 15 2 0 0 5

================================================================

================================================================

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S:

I. PREPAREDNESS NEWS

[1] Report: smallpox vaccination program fell short -HealthDay News (3/4/05)

[2] Senators try again to strengthen public health workforce -GOVexec.com (3/4/05)

[3] Georgia to protect food supply from terror, natural disaster -AP (3/10/05)

[4] IAFF receives DHS contract to develop CBRN-ready turnout gear -Fire Chief online (3/10/05)

[5] Report: EMS lacks terrorism training, equipment -USA Today (3/11/05)

--------------------------------------

II. UPCOMING EVENTS

[1] Behavioral Health Awareness Training for Terrorism & Disasters

[2] Teaching Preparedness: A Seminar Series for Health Educators

[3] Amplifying Our Voices: Part VII - Advocacy Training for Public Health Professionals

[4] 10th Annual Public Health Symposium: PH Helps NJ Live Stronger, Longer!

[5] New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Conference 2005

================================================================

I. PREPAREDNESS NEWS:

1] Report: smallpox vaccination program fell short -HealthDay News (3/4/05)
The Institute of Medicine recently released a report entitled "The Smallpox Vaccination Program: Public Health in An Age of Terrorism," -- a review of the lessons learned from the smallpox vaccination program of 2002. A significant shortfall of the program, ultimately leading to its failure, was the disconnect between the scientific and public health communities, which also resulted in issues of distrust toward the CDC -- the agency responsible for the program.

http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2005/03/03/hscout524324.html

2] Senators try again to strengthen public health workforce -GOVexec.com (3/4/05)
Senators Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced the 2005 Public Health Preparedness Workforce Development Act this week, in effort to target the nation's public health workforce shortage before it reaches a critical status. The new bill would provide an annual $35 million in scholarships to students planning to enter the field, and $195 million in loan repayments to current public health employees. New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg(D) expressed immediate support for the legislation.

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0305/030405d1.htm

3] Georgia to protect food supply from terror, natural disaster -AP (3/10/05)
By summer 2006, Georgia's state agro-terrorism committee plans to implement a statewide network to protect it's agricultural industry from terrorism and natural disasters. County agricultural agents received training from the University of Georgia's Rural Development Center, who will in turn train a network of 3,500 emergency personnel, veterinarians, and farmers in identifying and responding to an agricultural emergency.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/businessnews/ci_2603864

4] IAFF receives DHS contract to develop CBRN-ready turnout gear -Fire Chief online (3/10/05)
The federal Department of Homeland Security has contracted the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to develop and test new personal protective equipment with enhanced protection from chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) agents for fire fighters -- a part of the Project HEROES (Homeland Emergency Response Operational and Equipment Systems) initiative. The development team plans to create a single multi-purpose suit to ensure all-hazards protection while decreasing extra weight, stress and increasing mobility.

http://firechief.com/news/iaff-to-dvelopgear375857/

5] Report: EMS lacks terrorism training, equipment -USA Today (3/11/05)
On Friday, March 11th, the NYU Center for Catastrophe Preparedness and Response is releasing a report, "Emergency Medical Services:

The Forgotten First Responder," which explores the status of EMS workers in terms of terrorism preparedness. Amongst the many alarming discoveries are: EMS providers receive only 4% of federal Homeland Security funding, despite constituting a third of the first responder workforce; EMT workers have not been receiving sufficient training related to biological, chemical, or radiological attack; in half of all states, EMTs/paramedics are inadequately equipped for a biological or chemical incident.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-03-10-ems-lax_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA

================================================================

================================================================

II. UPCOMING EVENTS:

[1] Behavioral Health Awareness Training for Terrorism & Disasters
(UMDNJ-CENTER FOR CONTINUING AND OUTREACH EDUCATION; NEW JERSEY PREPAREDNESSTRAINING CONSORTIUM; NEW JERSEY CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AT UMDNJ; NEW JERSEY PRIMARY CARE ASSOCIATION)

WHEN: Wednesday March 23 (8:30am - 4:00pm)

WHERE: New Jersey Hospital Association, 760 Alexander Road, Princeton, NJ

WHAT: 6-hr training including experimental exercises and PowerPoint training modules, examining the behavioral dimension of terrorism

**CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS AVAILABLE: CHES, Nursing, Social Work, Long-term care, Health Officer CE/LE

WHO: Dr. James Schultz, Director of the Disaster Epidemiology and Emergency Preparedness Center at the University of Miami

Dr. Brian Flynn, former Rear Admiral and Assistant Surgeon General in the U.S. Public Health Service

COST: FREE (includes continental breakfast and lunch)

Please note: event previously $50 -- is free now, early registrants who have paid will be refunded

CONTACT: for more information or to register, please call/e-mail Sue Brandbergh ñ (609) 275-8886 x16, sbrandbergh@njha.org or visit www.njpca.org

--------------------------------------------------------------

[2] Teaching Preparedness: A Seminar Series for Health Educators
(THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY MAILMAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH)

WHEN: Wednesday, March 23

Preparing students to provide clinical care for victims of disasters, terrorism or public health emergencies

-Kobi Peleg, PhD, MPH
Director, Israel National Center for Trauma and Emergency Medicine Research Gertner Institute for Epidemiology & Health Policy Research

-Eliot Lazar, MD, MBA
Vice-President and Chief Medical Officer, New York Presbyterian Healthcare System Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Columbia University

Wednesday, March 30

Teaching Unique Aspects of Terrorism

-Lewis Nelson, MD
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Director, Medical Toxicology Fellowship New York University School of Medicine New York City Poison Control Center

-Letty Moss-Salentijn, DDS, PhD
Professor of Dentistry (in Anatomy & Cell Biology), Associate Dean, Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery

**All sessions 4:00 - 6:00pm and available as live web simulcast

WHERE: Columbia University, New York, NY, Riverside Drive, First Floor Auditorium

WHAT: Four evenings of presentations and discussions on how to teach emergency preparedness for disasters, terrorism and public health emergencies to health care students.

COST: FREE, but space is limited - please RSVP

CONTACT: to RSVP or for more information, please contact: Raquel Schubert, ras2123@columbia.edu

--------------------------------------------------------------

[3] Amplifying Our Voices: Part VII - Advocacy Training for Public Health Professionals
(NJSOPHE, NJPHA, NJLBH, NJHOA, NJEHA, NJAPHNA)

WHEN: Wednesday March 30 (9:00am - 12:30pm)

WHERE: Busch Campus Center at Rutgers, the State Univ. of NJ, Piscataway, NJ

WHAT: Advocacy training including dialogue with members of the New Jersey Senate and Assembly Health & Appropriations Committees. Develop your advocacy skills by strengthening the voice of your organization, focusing on key public health issues such as: public health workforce shortages, public health preparedness infrastructure, blue cross/blue shield conversion

COST: FREE; registration is required (due by Monday March 21st)

CONTACT: Register online at www.njdistancelearningnetwork.org/njdln/pub (click on 'March Calendar of Events')

For more info call (908) 236-0572 or e-mail bslach@earthlink.net

--------------------------------------------------------------

[4] 10th Annual Public Health Symposium: PH Helps NJ Live Stronger, Longer!
(EDWARD J. BLOUSTEIN SCHOOL OF PLANNING & PUBLIC POLICY AT RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY, UMDNJ SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH)

WHEN: Monday April 4 (4:00pm - 9:00pm)

WHERE: Busch Campus Center at Rutgers, the State Univ. of NJ, Piscataway, NJ

WHAT: Symposium includes keynote address by Lewis H. Kuller, MD, DrPH (University of Pittsburgh), breakout sessions on health aging, nutrition, exercise and assisted living, exhibits, posters, career networking and reception.

** To advertise your organization in the program book, hold an exhibit booth please contact:

Shirley Smoyak at 732-932-4101 ext. 677

To display a research poster, send your abstract to: Christine Scott at chrssctt@eden.rutgers.edu

Deadline for ads, exhibitors, posters: Tuesday March 15th

COST: FREE, but pre-registration is required (due by March 31st)

CONTACT: For more information or to register online please visit www.publichealthsymposium.org

--------------------------------------------------------------

[5] New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Conference 2005
(NEW JERSEY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ASSOCIATION)

WHEN: April 25 - 29
April 25 - 27: Pre-Conference Training
April 28 - 29: Conference

WHERE: Tropicana Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, NJ

WHAT: The New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Association's Annual Conference provides training and coordination and promotes the development of public & private partnerships in planning, response, recovery and mitigation in all types of emergencies.

COST: $50 in advance, $75 at the door (includes pre-conference training and conference)

CONTACT: For more information or to register, please visit: www.njepa.org

==============================================================

--------------------------------------------------------------

Please send any subscription inquiries to huculon@umdnj.edu.

--------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------

The New Jersey Center for Public Health Preparedness at UMDNJ, UMDNJ-School of Public Health does not claim responsibility for accuracy of facts and information presented.  All opinions expressed are those of the original authors and do not represent the views of NJCPHP staff or affiliates.  NJCPHP News PHlash, a bi-weekly news bulletin, is distributed free of charge electronically, with the intention of sharing information of interest and value to our subscribers.