THE NEW JERSEY CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AT UMDNJ

UMDNJ - SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

>>>NJCPHP News PHlash <<<

JUNE 1 - JUNE 15
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] U.S. to complete bioterrorism research network - NTI Newswire (6/1/05)

[2] Pentagon tests emergency preparedness - cnn.com (6/8/05)

[3] Arlene was 'good test run for us' - Slidell-Sentry News (6/14/05)

[4] Officials prepared for 'viable threat' to state agriculture - The Birmingham News (6/15/05)

[5] Protecting America's Critical Infrastructure: Chemical Security - U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Press Release (6/15/05)

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II. UPCOMING EVENTS

[1] The National Incident Management System: Why it is important for you and your work as a first responder

[2] Training for Health Educators on the Mental Health/Psychosocial Aspects of Public Health
Emergencies

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

[4] 14th Summer Institute for Public Health Practice: Preparedness

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III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

TOPOFF 3 AFTER ACTION REPORT now available

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I. PREPAREDNESS NEWS:

[1] U.S. to complete bioterrorism research network - NTI Newswire (6/1/05)
The University of California, Irvine and Colorado State University were the final recipients of an $80 million grant from the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, in joining the
national network of Regional Centers of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research. Amongst their many research- based activities, the national network of ten Centers conducts research with local universities on up-and-coming treatments for anthrax, plague, smallpox and other diseases caused by agents of bioterrorism.
http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2005_6_1.html#C7C24691

[2] Pentagon tests emergency preparedness - cnn.com (6/8/05)
Operation "Gallant Fox III" was executed the first week of June in Washington, DC when a simulated explosion occurred near the Pentagon. The operation was an exercise intended to review the emergency response capabilities of the military, and federal, state and local
authorities. Concurrent simulated incidents occurred in other nearby buildings. Early criticisms of the drill include poor communication practices between involved agencies -- a full report
is expected.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/06/08/pentagon.drill/

[3] Arlene was 'good test run for us' - Slidell-Sentry News (6/14/05)
With the opening of the 2005 Hurricane Season, Tropical Storm Arlene hit the nation's Gulf Coast with a weak start, as it was shortly downgraded to a tropical depression. However,
local authorities stated that Arlene was a good opportunity to test emergency communication systems and response skills and served as a training exercise for local Emergency Operations
Center staff members.
http://www.slidellsentry.com/articles/2005/06/14/news/news03.txt

[4] Officials prepared for 'viable threat' to state agriculture - The Birmingham News (6/15/05)
The state of Alabama remains highly vulnerable to the threat of agricultural terrorism, and is currently preparing for the possibility of a disabling agricultural disaster. The state is home to over 45,000 farms, one of the nation's top agricultural producers, and a very easy target for terrorists due to the lack of security and ease in which a disease-causing agent could contaminate livestock or crops -- the impact of such could be vastly debilitating to the nation.
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/111882780988890.xml&coll=2

[5] Protecting America's Critical Infrastructure: Chemical Security -U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Press Release (6/15/05)
In a review of the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Chertoff has concluded that a regulatory framework is needed to further ensure the safety of the nation's chemical sector. A
series of core principles, to guide development of the framework, were established as a supplement to existing chemical facility safety measures, can be found at:
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=4543

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II. UPCOMING EVENTS:

[1] The National Incident Management System: Why it is important for you and your work as a first responder

[SOUTH CENTRAL CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS, ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH]

WHEN: Thursday, June 23, 2005
WHERE: satellite conference
WHAT: The conference is aimed at first responders, public health professionals, and partners with whom they will need to communicate in a public health emergency.
CONTACT: For more information, visit :

http://www.adph.org/alphtn/vcomm.asp?action=conflistone&templatenbr=3&deptid
=143&templateid=1252

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[2] SAVE THE DATE: Training for Health Educators on the Mental Health/Psychosocial Aspects of Public Health Emergencies

[THE NEW JERSEY CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AT UMDNJ, in partnership with the NJ DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES and the NJ SOCIETY OF PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATORS]

WHEN: Tuesday, August 9th
WHERE: Embassy Suites Hotel, Piscataway, NJ
COST: Free

**CHES credits available

CONTACT: Emily Perry at perryem@umdnj.edu or 732-235-9703

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[3] 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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[4] 14th Summer Institute for Public Health Practice: Preparedness

(NORTHWEST CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH & COMMUNITY MEDICINE]

WHEN: Monday August 22nd - Friday August 26th

WHERE: William H. Gates School of Law, University of Washington Campus, Seattle, WA

WHAT: This year's Institute is organized around the theme Public Health Preparedness: Tools for the Frontline. Case-based studies woven through the week's training — in public health law, financial accountability, leadership in emergencies, epidemic investigation, study design,
geospatial analysis — will be generally applicable to public health practice.

Institute Tracks:

• Introduction to Epidemiologic Methods
• Intermediate Epidemiologic Methods
• Public Health Management: A Case-Based Approach
• Leadership Challenges During Public Health Emergencies
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

COST: $1,000 - $1,600 (depending on track selection and date of registration; early
registration ends 7/17)

CONTACT: For more information, please visit:

http://healthlinks.washington.edu/nwcphp/niphp/

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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/educationCalendar.cfm

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