THE NEW JERSEY CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AT UMDNJ
UMDNJ - SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

NJCPHP News PHlash

MAY 6 2006 - MAY 19 2006

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

I. PREPAREDNESS NEWS
[1] San Francisco emergency preparedness web site wins Webby Award-
News Release (5/16/06)
[2] GAO reports military unprepared for storm- AP (5/16/06)
[3] Pentagon tests bio-attack response- American Forces Press Service (5/17/06)
[4] Testing for bird flu begins in Alaska- AP (5/18/06)

II. UPCOMING EVENTS
[1] Hostility and Rage Management (HARM) In Public Health Emergencies
(5/25/06 and 5/30/06)
[2] New Jersey and the Pandemic Challenge (5/31/06)
[3] Public Health- Emergency Services Integration Program (6/3/06)
[4] Save the Date: The Real Story: Communicating Through a Crisis (6/8/06)
[5] After Katrina: Building a Better Public Health System for the Future (6/9/06)
[6] Hot Topics in Emergency Preparedness: From Mitigation to Recovery (6/10/06)
[7] 2006 Public Health Law Conference (6/12-14/06)
[8] P-FLASH for Public Health Professionals (6/21/06)
[9] Save the Date: Estes Prepardo Para Una Emergencia? (Are You Prepared for an Emergency?) (8/10/06)

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS
[1] NJCPHP is looking for public health professionals to take part in a presentation to the School and Community-based Trauma Response Networks
[2] Volunteers needed for exercise on June 19, 2006
[3] Estimating Potential Impact of an Influenza Pandemic Using 1968- and 1918-Type Scenarios
[4] Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza

I. PREPAREDNESS NEWS:
[1] San Francisco emergency preparedness web site wins Webby Award- News Release (5/16/06) San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom congratulated the City's Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security on winning a Webby Award for its emergency preparedness website, http://www.72hours.org/. "I'm proud that San Francisco's innovative approach to disaster preparedness has earned global recognition. Winning a Webby Award is a great honor for the City," said Mayor Newsom. "72hours.org is just one way we're preparing our residents in the event of an emergency." 72hours.org provides information on how to prepare for emergencies such as earthquakes, fires, severe storms, power outages and acts of terrorism. The multi-lingual site offers step-by-step instruction on how to make a family emergency plan, build a disaster kit, and get training before a disaster occurs. It also has information on volunteering to help out afterwards.
http://www.govtech.net/localgovt/story.php?id=99513

[2] GAO reports military unprepared for storm- AP (5/16/06) The government won't be ready for another major disaster such as Hurricane Katrina unless the Pentagon takes a more aggressive role in the federal response according to congressional investigators. Poor planning and confusion about the military's role contributed to problems after the storm struck on Aug. 29, 2005, and without immediate attention improvement is unlikely, the Government Accountability Office said. It urged the Defense Department to establish procedures to speed aircraft, troops and reconnaissance gear to hurricane-stricken areas when local and state officials are overwhelmed as well as beef up communications support to Homeland Security officials, who have the lead role in a disaster. "The devastation of Katrina and the issues it revealed serve as a warning that actions are needed," said the report. "Without urgent and detailed attention to improve planning, the military and federal government risk being unprepared."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060516/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/katrina_military_3

[3] Pentagon tests bio-attack response- American Forces Press Service
(5/17/06)
A full-scale bio-exercise in the Pentagon parking lot on May 17, 2006 tested how the Pentagon police, in partnership with local emergency services, would respond to a biological attack at the military headquarters. The Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Arlington County Fire Department, Red Cross, and other local and federal agencies participated in the exercise, dubbed "Gallant Fox 06," based on a scenario involving a suspected anthrax attack inside the Pentagon that triggered a sensor. In the scenario, testing was done and the presence of anthrax was confirmed.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/May2006/20060517_5153.html

[4] Testing for bird flu begins in Alaska- AP (5/18/06) Federal scientists have started testing migratory birds on an Anchorage coastal wildlife refuge for signs of a dangerous bird flu that could show up on this continent this spring. It's the first sampling of a summer-long project to swab birds for bird flu throughout the state. Nationwide, the goal is to sample 75,000 to 100,000 wild birds. In Alaska, about $4 million in federal money will be allocated to study about 15,000 birds. Alaska is an ideal bird flu laboratory because it's at the crossroads of migratory pathways for birds flying between the United States and other countries. Some of these birds arrive in Alaska each year from Asia.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060518/ap_on_sc/bird_flu_testing

II. UPCOMING EVENTS:
[1] Hostility and Rage Management (HARM) In Public Health Emergencies
(5/25/06 and 5/30/06) The NJ-PTC is sponsoring the training "Hostility and Rage Management (HARM) In Public Health Emergencies: Anticipating and Responding to a Community Response During a Disaster or Terrorist Event." The presenter is Steven M. Crimando, MA, BCETS from the NJ DHS-Division of Mental Health Services Disaster & Terrorism Branch. The training will be held on 5/25/06 8:30-1:00 at the Morris County Police Academy Training Center in Parsippany, NJ and on 5/30/06 8:30-1:00 at Stockton College in Pomona, NJ. It has been approved for 3.75 CE for NJ Licensed Health Officers # CE-10243 and Category I CE 4.00 Credits for Certified Health Education Specialist Approval # 14017. For online registration and more information: http://ophp.umdnj.edu/njptc

[2] New Jersey and the Pandemic Challenge (5/31/06) Governor Jon S. Corzine will host a one-day summit of national, state and local leaders on Wednesday, May 31, 2006, including U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director, Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New Jersey Health and Senior Services Commissioner Fred M. Jacobs, M.D., J.D., and Richard L. Cañas, Director of the New Jersey Office for Homeland Security and Preparedness. The focus of the summit is to raise awareness about pandemic influenza, its potential impact, and to describe New Jersey`s plans and preparations to respond to an outbreak. For more information and to register, please visit:
http://njlmn.rutgers.edu

[3] Public Health- Emergency Services Integration Program (6/3/06) The NJ CBRNE Center is hosting this program that promotes the integration and interoperability of public health professionals and emergency service responders during an incident. It will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2006 at the Ocean County Fire and EMS Training Center in Waretown, NJ from 9:00am - 1:00 pm. For more information, please contact the CBRNE Center at
(973)972-6144 or cbrne@umdnj.edu.

[4] Save the date: The Real Story: Communicating through a Crisis (6/8/06)
This event will take place from 9 am to 4 pm at Mercer County Community College, West Windsor, NJ. Please save the date on your calendar to attend this informative conference on crisis communications. This day-long conference will include a media panel on what reporters want during emergencies, an interactive discussion on communications challenges during an influenza pandemic, risk communication principles, and how to deal with stress during emergencies. The conference is intended for professionals in media relations, public information and communication professionals. The conference is free. For more information, contact Tom Slater at the New Jersey Dept. of Health & Senior Services-Office of Communications (609) 292-8379.

[5] After Katrina : Building a Better Public Health System for the Future
(6/9/06) The Public Health Grand Rounds series at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health presents the satellite broadcast and webcast, "After Katrina : Building a Better Public Health System for the Future" on June 9, 2006, 2:00 ­ 3:00 pm ET. This program will seek to increase knowledge and awareness of the strategic planning process for improving public health systems, especially in a post-Katrina New Orleans. For more information and to register:
http://www.publichealthgrandrounds.unc.edu/katrina606/index.htm

[6] Hot Topics in Emergency Preparedness: From Mitigation to Recovery
(6/10/06) On Saturday June 10, 2006 the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Emergency Department Special Operations Team will be hosting their third annual conference on emergency preparedness entitled: "Hot Topics in Emergency Preparedness: From Mitigation to Recovery". The purpose of the program is to educate field providers and hospital staff in potential threats and the need for "all hazards" planning. The conference will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2006 in the Medical Education Building, Room 102 from
7:30am - 4:00pm on the campus of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital,
New Brunswick, New Jersey. NJ BLS CEU credit has been applied for. For more information, contact Valerie Peterson (732) 937-8688.

[7] 2006 Public Health Law Conference (6/12-6/14/06) The 2006 Public Health Law Conference, to be held in Atlanta, Georgia on June 12-14, will spotlight innovations and best practices in the use of law as a public health tool. Keynote speakers will include NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg ; Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, U.S. Surgeon General and Commander, USPHS Commissioned Corps, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and Admiral John O. Agwunobi, MD, MBA, MPH, Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services. For a complete conference program and to register online, please visit http://www2a.cdc.gov/phlp/conference2006.asp

[8] P-FLASH for Public Health Professionals (6/21/06)- NJCPHP will sponsor the one-day workshop P-FLASH: Practical Front-Line Assistance for Support and Healing on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center in Westampton, NJ. All public health professionals and first responders are invited to attend. For more information, please visit: http://www.njcphp.org/pflash.cfm

[9] Save the Date: Estes Prepardo Para Una Emergencia? (Are You Prepared for an Emergency?) (8/10/06) Learn from leaders in the Hispanic community on what can be done in the event of a disaster or emergency. The program will be on Thursday, August 10, 2006 from 8:30am - 4pm at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, NJ. For more information, please contact Concetta Caporrino at caporrco@umdnj.edu or (732) 235-4958. To view a flyer for this event, click here.

For a complete listing of preparedness training events and educational course offerings, please visit the ASPH Centers for Public Health Preparedness Online Education Calendar at:
http://www.asph.org/acphp/calendarDisplayOnly.cfm

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS
[1] NJCPHP is looking for public health professionals who are willing to take part in a brief presentation to the School and Community-based Trauma Response Networks on Wed., June 14, 2006. The Trauma Response Network's primary purpose is to provide psychological first aid and psychosocial stabilization, and to enhance resiliency and coping in the youth throughout the state of New Jersey. NJCPHP asks for individuals from all New Jersey local and state health departments, including LINCS, HE/RCs, health officers, public health nurses, planners, and/or Partnership Coordinators, to talk to the Trauma Response Network about the role of public health professionals in the aftermath of an emergency. This presentation will be held on Wed., June 14th 2006 at the UBHC Behavioral Research & Training Center in Piscataway. Please contact Emily C. Perry, MPH, CHES at (732)235-9703 or perryem@umdnj.edu if you are interested.

[2] Volunteers needed for exercise on June 19, 2006
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital will be conducting an emergency preparedness exercise on Monday, June 19, 2006 from 10 am to 2 pm, to test the hospital¹s staff, policies, and procedures in response to a suspected pandemic influenza event."Role players" are needed to portray patients and family members. Volunteers are welcome for the entire event or to pick hours that are convenient. A free lunch will be provided. To volunteer or for more information, please contact Brian Carney at (732) 418-8129 or brian.carney@rwjuh.edu. To view a flyer for this event, click here.

[3] Estimating Potential Impact of an Influenza Pandemic Using 1968- and 1918-Type Scenarios CDC has written instructions to enable state and local officials to estimate the potential impact for both 1968-type and 1918-type influenza pandemics. The instructions (available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/impactestimate.htm) describe how to use FluAid 2.0 and FluSurge 2.0 software to estimate the number of deaths, hospitalizations, and outpatient visits and the increased demand for hospital-based resources (e.g., hospital beds, intensive-care--unit beds, or ventilators) for both scenarios. The instructions and software can be used to estimate the potential impact for a locale of almost any size.

[4] The White House has released their pandemic influenza plan, "Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza." For a copy of the plan, please visit:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/nspi_implementation.pdf

For more information, or to view the NJCPHP News PHlash Archive, please visit us at: www.njcphp.org

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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.
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