THE NEW JERSEY CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AT UMDNJ

UMDNJ - SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

>>>NJCPHP News PHlash <<<

MAY 16 - MAY 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] Bolstering security at chemical plants - The Star Ledger (5/18/05)

[2] American Red Cross joins OSHA in alliance - U.S. Newswire (5/19/05)

[3] New web-based tool helps planners inventory resources for public health emergencies - Medical News Today (5/24/05)

[4] Bio-terrorism drill scheduled for New York City - Michnews.com (5/25/05)

[5] Guidelines for bioterrorism preparedness for hospitals announced - Homeland Response (5/27/05)

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II. UPCOMING EVENTS

Nuclear Emergency Planning: The New Face of Emergency Planning: Terrorism, Security, and the Public (8/9 - 8/12 2005)

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

TOPOFF 3 AFTER ACTION REPORT now available

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I. PREPAREDNESS NEWS:

[1] Bolstering security at chemical plants - The Star Ledger (5/18/05)
New Jersey is home to eight chemical plants, some surrounded by residential areas, where an attack resulting in the release of chemicals could threaten more than one million people, per attack. New Jersey Congressmen Robert Menendez proposed a $50 million amendment to the FY2006 homeland security appropriations bill, where an additional $50 million would be available to assist state and local communities in improving chemical plant security.
http://www.nj.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-0/111639187141160.xml

[2] American Red Cross joins OSHA in alliance - U.S. Newswire (5/19/05)
In an effort to reach out to individuals living in America with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) formed an alliance with the American Red Cross to increase emergency preparedness and disease prevention
information and educational programs. The Alliance will provide materials and expert communication strategies in target-specific languages.
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=47676

[3] New web-based tool helps planners inventory resources for public health emergencies
- Medical News Today (5/24/05)
A new web-based tool, to help local and state planners assess their resources has just been released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The tool, known as the Emergency Preparedness Resource Inventory is able to catalog available resources, prepare for responses, highlight shortcomings and assist in future resource investments. The inventory system is valuable for first responders in enabling them to more easily locate emergency equipment and supplies, their availability, and method of obtaining them. The inventory software tool is available on the AHRQ website, at www.ahrq.gov/research/epri .
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=25011#

[4] Bio-terrorism drill scheduled for New York City -Michnews.com (5/25/05)
On June 1st and 2nd, over 1,200 federal, state, and local workers will be participating in New York City's first large-scale bioterror drill. The exercise, known as POD-EX, will simulate a scenario wherein a biowarfare agent is released, followed by measures to obtain necessary medications from the Strategic National Stockpile. The exercise is designed to challenge participants, where role-playing is critical to carrying out the response to the high-threat situations.
http://www.michnews.com/artman/publish/article_8344.shtml

[5] Guidelines for bioterrorism preparedness for hospitals announced - Homeland Response (5/27/05)
This month, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced the release of the 2005 National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program Continuation Guidance. The guidance document sets forth the latest benchmarks and minimum levels of regional health system preparedness, which must be met in order to qualify for federal aid. The guidance includes standards for communication, disease surveillance, hospital bed availability, and more.
http://www.homelandresponse.org/full_story.php?WID=13477

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II. UPCOMING EVENTS:

[1] Nuclear Emergency Planning: The New Face of Emergency Planning: Terrorism, Security, and the Public

(HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH)
WHEN: Tuesday August 9th - Friday August 12th
WHERE: Harvard School of Public Health
Kresge Building
Boston, MA

WHAT: Learn, or update your knowledge of principles and regulatory requirements for responding to a radiological emergency, and the changing roles and rules from federal and state agencies regarding:

- emergency preparedness for terrorist activities
- new federal framework for Homeland Security
- managing terrorist incidents involving radioactive materials
- lessons learned in communicating with the media and public updates on emergency preparedness issues for nuclear utilities

The Harvard School of Public Health is the designated site of a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Education and Research Center(ERC) for Occupational Safety/Health.

*** 21 AAHP points (American Academy of Health Physics)
3.5 CM points, ABIH points (American Board of Industrial Hygiene)
2.2 CEUs, Harvard School of Public Health

COST: Register by June 3, 2005: $1,195
Register after June 3, 2005: $1,295

Program fee includes:
- comprehensive take-home reference manual
- continental breakfasts
- daily lunches and refreshment breaks
- Harvard certificate of attendance

CONTACT: For more information, please visit:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/ccpe/programs/NEP.shtml#fee

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III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

TOPOFF 3 AFTER ACTION REPORT now available

In compliance with TOPOFF 3 protocol, NJCPHP has developed an After Action Report (AAR), based on the experiences and observations of NJCPHP faculty and staff involved, for use in
the exercise evaluation process. Center representatives were present at various locations throughout New Jersey as part of the TOPOFF III Full Scale Exercise, conducted this past April.

For more information about this report or to obtain a copy, please contact Chris Clarke at 732-235-9096 or clarkec1@umdnj.edu

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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.