THE NEW JERSEY CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AT UMDNJ

UMDNJ - SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

>>>NJCPHP News PHlash <<<

MARCH 16 - MARCH 31 2 0 0 5

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

I. PREPAREDNESS NEWS

[1] HHS awards BioShield contract for liquid potassium iodide -Department of Health and Senior Services (3/18/05)

[2] Radiation detectors inadequate, New York official says -All Hands Network (3/18/05)

[3] Rural areas feel unprepared for attacks -Associated Press (3/21/05)

[4] Free app can help first responders identify chemicals -Government Computer News (3/22/05)

[5] EPA urges more bioterror protections -Associated Press (3/24/05)

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II. UPCOMING EVENTS

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

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

[3] 10th Annual Public Health Symposium: PH Helps NJ Live Stronger, Longer!

[4] New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Conference 2005

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I. PREPAREDNESS NEWS:

[1] HHS awards BioShield contract for liquid potassium iodide - Department of Health and Senior Services (3/18/05)
Fleming & Company Pharmaceuticals received a $5.7 million contract from the Department of Health and Senior Services' BioShield program, towards the manufacturing of 1.7 million pediatric doses of liquid potassium iodide (KI). The FDA originally approved potassium iodide in tablet-form to prevent the absorption of radioactive iodine by the human thyroid gland; children are especially susceptible to the deleterious effects of such a radioactive agent - the availability of a the new, fruit-flavored liquid form is a progressive step in the nation's radiological preparedness program.

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2005pres/20050318.html

[2] Radiation detectors inadequate, New York official says - All Hands Network (3/18/05)
New York City's Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Management stated at a presentation of the city's post-9/11 terrorism prevention efforts that the thousands of hand-held radiation detectors used by first and emergency responders are too sensitive, resulting in constant false alarms. A significant manpower issue is present, since an inspection is required every time the device sounds.

New York's Brookhaven National Laboratory is currently working to modify the device to detect only on certain dangerous isotopes.

http://www.all-hands.net/pn/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1838&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

[3] Rural areas feel unprepared for attacks - Associated Press (3/21/05)
In a recent survey conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and University of Pittsburgh, health officials from 26 states claimed they feel most rural areas to be unprepared for a bioterrorist attack, or lack adequate resources to handle an influx of persons escaping an urban attack. There is concern that small, rural areas will be overlooked for emergency response funding, since the Department of Homeland Security is proposing federal aid based on threat level of a locality.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050321/ap_on_re_us/rural_threats_1

[4] Free app can help first responders identify chemicals - Government Computer News (3/22/05)
New software has been created by the National Library of Medicine to assist first responders during a hazardous materials incident. The software, "Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders" (WISER)is available as a free download for PDAs, that will contain essential information about hazardous substances, including the physical characteristics of the substance, as well as its containment, suppression, and any relevant health facts. The first responder inputs data on the unknown substance (victim symptoms, physical properties), which is then matched against a database of hazardous substances. A desktop PC and web version of the software will be available later this spring.

http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/35343-1.html

[5] EPA urges more bioterror protections - Associated Press (3/24/05)
A review of the federal BioWatch program, an air sampling system implemented in cities nationwide to detect biological agents, found that the EPA has not worked to ensure the system's "reliability, timeliness, and efficiency." The federal Department of Homeland Security commissioned the EPA, along with other agencies, to run the program since its inception in 2003. The EPA responded to the criticism saying that the agency was already working to improve the air sampling system as per official recommendations.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050324/ap_on_go_ot/biological_terrorism_2

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II. UPCOMING EVENTS:

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

WHEN: 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

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

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

WHAT: Final of 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

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[2] 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 3/21)

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

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[3] 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

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

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

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[4] 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

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

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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.