THE NEW JERSEY CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AT UMDNJ

UMDNJ - SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

>>>NJCPHP News PHlash <<<

JULY 1 - JULY 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] Secret 'gas' test staged at G. Central - NYDailyNews.com (7/7/05)

[2] Texas training aided London Fire Brigade - dallasnews.com (7/7/05)

[3] Anti-anthrax agent shows promise in humans - Reuters (7/12/05)

[4] We're not braced for terror - Ottawa Sun (7/12/05)

[5] Chemical plant safety rules debated - Courier Post (7/14/05)

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II. UPCOMING EVENTS

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

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

[3] Psychosocial Aspects of Bioterrorism & Disaster Response for Public Health Professionals

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

[4] Medical, Psychological and Environmental Surveillance Needs for Workers Involved in Incident Response under
the National Response Plan

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III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

[1] TOPOFF 3 AFTER ACTION REPORT now available

[2] AMOP Papers available online

[3] North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness FOCUS on Field Epidemiology

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I. PREPAREDNESS NEWS:

[1] Secret 'gas' test staged at G. Central - NYDailyNews.com (7/7/05)
Nontoxic "tracer gases" were released into New York City's Grand Central Terminal over the course of five days while representatives from leading national laboratories observed the exercise. Findings from this federal Homeland Security Department effort will be used to improve emergency response planning for the busy New York landmark station, including its ventilation system and the incorporation of the latest technological detection devices.
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/325980p-278531c.html

[2] Texas training aided London Fire Brigade - dallasnews.com (7/7/05)
Since June 2003, close to 200 London Fire Brigade members have received training from the Texas Engineering Extension Service, known as TEEX, at the Texas A&M University. TEEX provides hands-on training programs at their 52-acre facility, "Disaster City," which is capable of simulating a terrorist-induced building collapse. The London Fire Brigade Commissioner publicly attributed the rescue worker's high level of preparedness to their training with TEEX.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/stories/070805dnwebte

[3] Anti-anthrax agent shows promise in humans - Reuters (7/12/05)
Researchers at Human Genome Sciences in Maryland have discovered a protective antigen against bacillus anthracis, the anthrax-causing agent, that has shown to be well-tolerated by humans and animals. This anti-inhalational anthrax agent could potentially be used by individuals who may have been exposed to aerosolized anthrax spores. The findings were published in the July 1st edition of the journal Clinical Infectious Disease.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=healthNews&storyID=2005-
07-12T154158Z_01_B572500_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-ANTIANTHRAX-PROMISE-DC.XML

[4] We're not braced for terror - Ottawa Sun (7/12/05)
According to the Canadian Minister of Public Safety, the country is relatively well-prepared for an emergency, but the government is not doing all that it can to protect citizens. Amongst the nation's shortcomings is a lack of psychological preparedness and the need to improve border security. A conference earlier this year brought together provincial ministers, who refined an action response plan slated for implementation within five years.
http://ottsun.canoe.ca/News/National/2005/07/12/pf-1127341.html

[5] Chemical plant safety rules debated - Courier Post (7/14/05)
New Jersey is home to "pre-positioned weapons of mass destruction" according to a statement made by New Jersey Senator Jon Corzine in a Congressional testimony earlier this week -- referring to the state's chemical plants -- some capable of harming at least one million citizens. Leading chemical companies across the nation have urged Congress to to set uniform plant standards to increase security without dictating what materials can be used, and in what way. Watchdog groups have critcized this stipulation, suggesting that the usage of toxic, volatile chemicals be minimized or alternative substances be used.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/southjersey/m071405h.htm#

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II. UPCOMING EVENTS:

[1] 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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[2] 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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[3] Psychosocial Aspects of Bioterrorism & Disaster Response for Public Health Professionals

(OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE, UMDNJ-SPH)

WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday August 10 - New Brunswick, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday August 11 - Scotch Plains, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

WHAT: training course for Local Health Department Staff, Public Health Nurses, County Mental Health Administrators, Emergency Response Teams, and Mental Health Counselors

*** 5.0 CEUs, CHES, Health Officers, Nurses

CONTACT: Phil McCabe at 732-235-8229 or mccabept@umdnj.edu

Or visit:
https://ophp.umdnj.edu/wconnect/wc.dll?acecode%7EGroupCatalog%7EGROUP%7ESEMP
SY%7EPsychosocial+Aspects+of+Bioterrorism+&+Disaster+Response+for+Public+Hea
lth+Professionals%7ESEM

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[3] 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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[4] Medical, Psychological and Environmental Surveillance Needs for Workers Involved in Incident Response under
the National Response Plan

(THE NEW JERSEY CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AT UMDNJ and the JOHNS HOPKINS CENTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS)

WHEN: Tuesday September 27th & Wednesday September 28th

WHERE: The East Brunswick Hilton, East Brunswick, NJ

WHAT: A 2-day workshop involving nationally recognized experts in the areas of medical surveillance, environmental monitoring, and worker training -- drawing from academia, labor, industry, government, and the military. The conference will consist of panel presentations from experts who have been involved in developing and implementing surveillance programs following disasters, addressing:
* post-disaster surveillance
* integration of exposure assessment into medical surveillance and evaluation
* critical factors in implementing surveillance programs
* pre- and post-disaster planning, training, surveillance and risk communication needs for first responders, first receivers, skilled support personnel, and related workforces

COST: free; lunch and dinner reception included

CONTACT: For more information, please contact Patricia Walker at walkerpa@umdnj.edu

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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

[1] 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.

The report is now available online at: http://www.njcphp.org/topoff_report.cfm

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[2] Environment Canada's 28th Arctic Marine Oilspill (AMOP) Technical Seminar
NJCPHP faculty and staff members Glenn Paulson, Drew Harris, Emily Perry, Rod Turpin, Carl Schopfer, Oksana Hucul, Christopher Clarke, Denison Scott-Dimenna and Christine Scott participated in this year's AMOP Seminar's Special Session on Counter-Terrorism with the submission of five papers, presented at the June conference in Calgary, AB, Canada. To view the presentations, please visit www.njcphp.org/amop2005.htm.

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[3] North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness FOCUS on Field Epidemiology
FOCUS on Field Epidemiology (FOCUS) is a hands-on periodical developed by the Norht Carolina CPHP, approaching field epidemiology in a practical and easy manner. It can be used as:

- as a self-study computer-based program
- a face-to-face teaching tool for trainers
- a lunch and learn seminars or in-service trainings

Each issue of the FOCUS periodical has a corresponding PowerPoint® presentation which includes topic overviews, illustrations, a glossary, additional resources, and discussion questions. (Solutions available on the FOCUS website; online self-evaluation questions also available with each issue).

The latest issue of FOCUS is now available! Access it at:
http://www.sph.unc.edu/nccphp/focus/issuelist.htm

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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.