PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2015 City of El Paso Department of Public Health

City of El Paso Department of Public Health Issue 1 October 2015

Introduction Dear Reader, I am pleased to introduce this first edition of the City of El Paso Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter. We intend to make this a bi-annual publication and use it to keep our partners in touch with news and developments which relate to the City of El Paso’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program (PHEP), and upcoming events. The Newsletter is distributed among local, state, regional, and federal emergency preparedness partners and support agencies. In addition, as an effort to expand our reach and networking capacity with others interested in emergency preparedness, the publication is disseminated among local public health and medical students, volunteers, and interns from the various local academic institutions. Finally, I would like to thank the City of El Paso Public Health Emergency Preparedness team who contributed to the development of this first edition, and to Diane Inside this issue: Huerta, MPH, PHEP Planner, who serves as the Editor of the SNS Full Scale Exercise Newsletter. DPH Responds! I hope you enjoy our publication!

Angela Mora, Deputy Health Director/PHEP Manager

1 2

Ebola Projects, Extreme Weather

3

DPH Applies to Project Public Health

4

1st Annual Community Preparedness

5

Radiation Preparedness

6

FEMA to Pilot Training Course in El Paso

9

Summer 2015 Workshops

11

Flu On Call

12

Upcoming Events

14

Texas 2-1-1 STEAR

15

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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SNS Full Scale Exercise On April 25th, the City of El Paso Department of Public

threat assessment meetings with key staff, three call-

Health (DPH) Emergency Preparedness Program (PHEP)

down drills, El Paso City/County EOC activation and as-

participated in the West Texas Regional Medical Coun-

sembly, and Burges High School Point of Dispensing

termeasure Distribution and Dispensing Full Scale Exer-

(POD) activation and assembly. The POD layout was de-

cise coordinated by the Department of State Health Ser-

signed to have the most efficient patient flow and includ-

vices (DSHS) Health Service Region (HSR) 9/10. Six

ed triage, education, screening and dispensing. Other

months of planning and collaboration with HSR 9/10, El

services, such as behavioral health counseling, 2-1-1 re-

Paso Independent School District (EPISD), the El Paso

ferrals and medical assessment were also available for

City-County Office of Emergency Management (OEM),

special cases.

and participating counties, and other local partners lead to the success of the exercise.

A total throughput of 142 patients per hour was accomplished during the one-hour operation and a “hot wash” was conducted to identify strengths and weaknesses of POD operations. Evaluators were present throughout the exercise and provided feedback during the hot wash

based on DSHS grading criteria. Lessons learned and an improvement plan were addressed in the After Action Report (AAR).

SNS Materiel

The full scale exercise allowed PHEP to test 6 capabilities

and components of the DPH’s Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Plan. In addition, the Activation and Notification Protocol and the Crisis Emergency Risk Communica-

SNS Exercise at Burges High School

tion (CERC) Plan were activated to support the incident response. In preparation for the exercise, several train-

DECEMBER 6—12, 2015

ings were conducted for staff including one-on-one train-

IS NATIONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION WEEK

ings for ICS Command and General Staff and two general

www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw

trainings for POD Staff. Exercise activities included two

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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DPH Responds! The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has supported the operation by expediting laboratory results, securing temporary clinical staff support and providing situation-specific guidance. PHEP staff responsibilities included notifications, data management, information sharing, call center opera-

tions, and planning section duties. Starting in July, the DPH responded to two concurrent Tuberculosis Incidents in El Paso, one at Frank Macias Elementary School and another at Dismas Halfway House in Downtown El Paso. The response included the activation of the Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) Plan and the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) Plan. Operational activities included the identification and contact of all who were exposed, edu-

cation and information specific to TB, screening and con-

Responders participate in a Hot wash to identify strengths and weaknesses

tact investigations, and relaying test results. The DPH TB Clinic Staff and other DPH first responders conducted mass screenings at both locations to quickly test all who were identified as exposed. Over 500 children and adults have been screened for both incidents. Other activities included staff management, securing additional clinical support, call center operations, data management, and

These incidents have provided the DPH Frist Responders the opportunity to exercise the Incident Command System (ICS) knowledge and skills. Between August 2014 and June 2015, the PHEP has been activated to assist in responding to three major TB incidents.

information sharing.

MPH Interns: Mariel Matamoros, Carlos Alvarez, and Juan Aguilera supported the Tb events

PHEP staff operate TB call-center to provide results

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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EBOLA Projects Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever

The DPH received funding from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to strengthen the department’s ability to respond to an Ebola outbreak. The department will reinforce the Ebola preparedness capabilities through several projects: 1) establishment of an emergency response data management system and in-

for DPH first responders to respond to Ebola incidents;

crease data management knowledge and skills among

6) strengthen knowledge and skills of DPH clinical staff

Data Management Branch staff; 2) increase DPH work-

including infection control measures, use of PPE, and

force knowledge and skills through training tailored to

disposal of medical waste.

the role they will assume during an Ebola outbreak; 3)

Projects are in their initial stages and will be completed

strengthen collaboration with key partners by exercising

by June 2016. The outcomes of the projects will enhance

the department‘s Isolation and Quarantine (I&Q) and

DPH preparedness efforts as well as crucial community

Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) during a

partnerships for an Ebola outbreak. If you would like to

simulated Ebola outbreak; 4) strengthen communication

know more about the projects please email Ruth Castillo

with regional partners (New Mexico, Ciudad Juarez,

at [email protected].

DSHS Region 9/10); 5) ensure adequate PPE is available

Extreme Weather Preparedness Bilingual Videos In an effort to provide the El Paso community with the information and skills necessary to prepare and respond to extreme weather, PHEP has developed bilingual videos addressing winter weather and flu prevention, extreme heat awareness, and rain and flood preparedness. A fourth video addressing wind hazards is under production. The videos are aired on cable TV on the Municipal Chanel and on the DPH YouTube page. These videos are available to other agencies that may benefit from them by contacting Ruth Castillo at (915) 212-6638.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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DPH Applies to Project Public Health Ready for National Recognition What is PPHR? Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a

The DPH efforts were led by Deputy Director, Angela

project of the National Association of County and City

Mora, and Diane Huerta, Preparedness Planner, who

Health Officials (NACCHO), is a competency-based

dedicated a great amount of time and energy compil-

training and recognition program that assess prepared-

ing, revising, and developing Standard Operating Guide-

ness and assists local health departments (LHD’s) to

lines and Procedures, Memoranda of Understanding

respond to emergencies. The PPHR criteria are nation-

(MOUs) with local emergency responders, conducting

ally recognized standards for local public health pre-

workforce needs assessments, researching Texas law as

paredness programs. NACCHO regularly updates the

it relates to emergency preparedness and response,

criteria to align with federal initiatives, including the

and many other tasks that assisted in the preparation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Public

of the over 2,000 page-long document. The preparation

Health Emergency Preparedness (CDC PHEP) capabili-

and submission of the application is considered a mile-

ties and Public Health Accreditation Board’s Standards

stone in the DPH’s efforts to gain national recognition

and Measures. Each of the three PPHR goals: 1) all-

of its Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program.

hazards preparedness planning, 2) workforce capacity development, and 3) demonstration of readiness through exercises or real events, has a comprehensive list of standards that agencies must meet to achieve PPHR recognition. Recognized departments are awarded at the annual NACCHO Preparedness Summit and recognized for a 5-year period.

DPH PHEP also collaborated with other programs and agencies including: DPH Epidemiology Program, DPH Laboratory, City of El Paso Environmental Services Department, El Paso County Office of the Medical Examiner, El Paso City-County Office of Emergency Management, Department of State Health Services Region 9/10, among others.

DPH’s Submission The City of El Paso DPH is one of 3

Next Steps Over the next 3 months, DPH’s application

Texas LHDs leading the state’s efforts to gain national

will be reviewed by NACCHO peer-reviewers who may

recognition. The other Texas LHDs are the Harris Coun-

request additional documentation within a 72-hour

ty Health and Environmental Services Department and

turnaround time. The peer review will be completed in

the Laredo Health Department.

early 2016. Announcement of newly recognized Local Health Departments will be made at the NACCHO’s Preparedness Summit to take place in Dallas, Texas in April 2016.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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El Paso Hosts 1st Annual Community Preparedness Expo for National Preparedness Month The City of El Paso

Community Preparedness Expo

lated Medical Counter Measures Point of Dispensing

proved to be successful during its first year! The Prepar-

conducted by the El Paso Department of Public Health

edness Expo, held on Saturday, September 26, 2015, was

PHEP program. The Expo included a display of emergen-

hosted by the Public Health Emergency Preparedness

cy vehicles and equipment from a variety of agencies

Program of the Department of Public Health in partner-

including the El Paso Fire Department, El Paso County

ship with the Texas Department of State Health Services

Sheriff's Office, American Red Cross- El Paso Chapter,

Region 9/10, the El Paso City-County Office of Emergency

Office of Homeland Security, El Paso Electric Co., and

Management, El Paso Fire Department, the Border Re-

many others.

gional Advisory Council, the West Texas Medical Reserve Corps, and the American Red Cross -El Paso Chapter. The purpose of the event was to bring the community and first responders together to demonstrate the high degree of coordination, interagency collaboration, skills, and equipment resources possessed by local first

responders and support organizations to protect El Pasoans from a natural, biological, or radiological emergency or disaster.

UTEP School of Nursing & Del Sol Medical Center– ER Simulation

In addition to one-on-one information and education to

"This year marks the beginning of what will develop into

participants by service agencies, drills were conducted at

a signature community preparedness event and the

the Preparedness Expo. One of these was simulating a

fountain of community preparedness learning for years

radiation emergency response at a Community Recep-

to come" said, Angela Mora, Deputy Health Director for

tion Center (CRC) where individuals were screened for

the Department of Public Health.

radiation, decontaminated, and monitored. This drill was conducted with the support from expert staff from the Texas Radiation Control Program, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) MPH program, the PHEP, the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Nation -Office of Emergency Management, and other support organizations. Other drills included a simulated trauma triage conducted by Del Sol Medical Trauma Center and the UTEP School of Nursing, a simu-

Emergence Health Network Exhibit

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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DPH Recognizes the Importance of Radiation Preparedness Radiation Preparedness Two major radiation incidents

expanded its involvement in radiation preparedness

have raised the level of awareness and preparedness in

work. CRCPD has been key in the creation and imple-

the United States, the incidents at Chernobyl in 1986 and

mentation of the DPH radiation program. In 2014,

Fukushima in 2011. The lessons learned, particularly

CRCPD awarded DPH funds to establish the El Paso Radi-

since the Fukushima incident, stimulated activity from

ation Volunteers Outreach Project. The goal of the pro-

federal agencies to augment and strengthen the nation’s

ject was to identify, recruit, train, and integrate local

capacity to respond to radiation emergencies. At the

radiation professionals into the West Texas Medical Re-

public health level, the Centers for Disease Control and

serve Corps in support of local radiation preparedness

Prevention (CDC) has placed particular emphasis on

efforts.

strengthening the capacity of local health departments to assist in monitoring affected populations. Population

Volunteer radiation professionals will be further trained

monitoring takes place immediately after a radiation inci-

by the West Texas MRC to staff the Community Recep-

dent and can be used to assess a local emergency or to

tion Center (CRC), currently under development, to as-

assist evacuees transported to our jurisdiction from an-

sist public health and other first responders conduct

other affected area. Among the organizations leading

population monitoring during a major radiation incident.

radiation population monitoring in the public health sector are the CDC, NACCHO-representing over 2000 local health departments, state offices such as Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Radiation Control Program, the Conference for Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD), Association of State, Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) representing state, tribal health

departments, the National Alliance for Radiation Readi-

PHEP staff testing radiation detectors

ness (NARR), and others. DPH Involved in Radiation Preparedness since 2012 The

The successful implementation of the program was due

City of El Paso DPH was one of six cities (Salt Lake City,

to the support and guidance of partners including the

Chicago, New York City, New Orleans, Seattle, El Paso) in

DSHS Radiation program, EPCC, UTEP, the Border Re-

the U.S. selected by NACCHO in 2012 to participate in a

gional Advisory Council, the El Paso City-County Office of

study addressing academic institutions legal prepared-

Emergency Management (OEM), and the Rio Grande

ness during a radiation incident. Since then, DPH has

Imaging Society. Continued on next page.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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DPH Recognizes the Importance of Radiation Preparedness, cont’d During the first year of the program over 70 radiation

funds to support the program for a second year. The

and public health professionals participated in a one day

objectives for year 2 of the project include working in

seminar where they learned about the program and re-

partnership with the El Paso City-County OEM in

ceived radiation monitoring basic training provided by

developing and exercising El Paso’s Community Recep-

expert radiation guest speakers from Washington D.C.,

tion Center Standing Operating Guidelines (SOG), pur-

Georgia, Texas, and the City of El Paso. Of these, 25 radi-

chase essential equipment such as Dosimeters and to

ation professionals enrolled as West Texas MRC volun-

conduct population surveys/screenings.

teers, thus exceeding program recruitment requirements. In addition to recruitment and training of volunteers, the West Texas MRC established a radiationspecific volunteer registry and a radiation training track, thus strengthening local radiation efforts. The accomplishments of year 1 served to support the DPH’s successful request to the CRCPD for additional

Community Reception Center Exhibit

Population Monitoring The primary responsibility for population monitoring is within state and local public health. Public health professionals will play an important role in any radiation emergency. Key responsibilities (in addition to traditional public health functions) will include: Making shelter-in-place or evacuation recommendations Identifying people contaminated with radioactive materials or exposed to radiation (population monitoring) Conducting or assisting with decontamination Developing criteria for entry and operations within the incident site Population Monitoring in Radiation Emergencies focuses on the significant effort required to identify, screen, measure, and monitor populations (people and their pets) for exposure to radiation or contamination from radioactive materials. CRCs will be established to assess people for exposure, contamination—and the need for decontamination—and to register people for follow-up monitoring, medical assessment, or medical management if necessary community reception centers (CRCs) to provide contamination screening and decontamination services to people displaced by a large-scale radiation incident. Source: www.cdc.gov

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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DPH Serves as a National Representative

Deputy Health Director Angela Mora, a member of the

NARR’s Mission To enhance radiological preparedness

National Alliance for Radiation Readiness (NARR) since

in public health and healthcare systems through a coali-

2013, was recently appointed to NARR’s Executive Com-

tion of organizations committed to improving the na-

mittee.

tion’s ability to prepare, respond, and recover from radiological emergencies at the local, state, and national

What is NARR? The National Alliance for Radiation

levels.

Readiness (NARR) is a coalition of public health, healthcare, and emergency management organizations.

NARR is managed by an Executive Committee consisting

These organizations represent practitioners in the field

of both voting and non-voting members. The voting

of radiation readiness including state and local public

members of the Executive Committee include the tri-

health practitioners; elected officials at the state and

chairs and a representative from a public health organi-

local level; and first responder and first receiver groups.

zation (designated by NACCHO), an emergency manage-

Representatives of federal agencies participate as liaison

ment organization, and a healthcare organization. The

members.

tri-chairs are the officers of NARR and consist of a member from the Conference of Radiation Control Program

NARR serves as the collective “voice of health” in radio-

Directors, a member of the Association of State and Ter-

logical preparedness by participating in national dia-

ritorial Health Officials, and a member at large. The non-

logues on radiological emergency issues, providing

voting members of the Executive Committee include a

thoughtful feedback on documents, policies, and guide-

Federal Liaison and the Executive Secretary. The current

lines, and convening partners to raise awareness of and

Executive Committee members will serve a two year

resolve radiological emergency issues.

term, from 2015-2017. For additional information on National Alliance for Radiation Readiness, visit: http:// www.radiationready.org/who-we-are/

Source: http://www.radiationready.org/

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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FEMA to Pilot Training Course in El Paso The Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program (PHEP) of the City of El Paso Department of Public Health will host and serve as the pilot site for testing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Population Monitoring for Community Reception Center Course on November 16 and 17 at the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, Tribal Judicial Community Center, 9241 Socorro Road, Ysleta del Sur, TX 79907. The course is free of charge and open to Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Service, Governmental Administrative, Healthcare, Hazardous Materials, Law Enforcement, Public Health, Citizen/Community Volunteer, and First Responders and non-uniform support personnel that will be tasked with operations at CRCs. This training is offered as PHEP’s effort within its role as support to first responders in providing population monitoring, at the request of the El Paso City-County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), during significant radiation incidents. The event is in partnership with El Paso City-County Office of Emergency Management, Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo - Office of Emergency Management, Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Radiation Control Program, and the West Texas Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). To access the Centers for Disease Control and prevention Population Monitoring in radiation Emergencies – A Guide for State and Local Public health Planners got to: http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/pdf/populationmonitoring-guide.pdf

Course Information There is limited capacity for this course. Nov. 16-17, 2015– Population Monitoring and CRC Course To register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/per-332 -population-monitoring-for-community-receptioncenter-course-tickets-18737292747

For additional information contact: Ruth Castillo at [email protected]. Additional training sponsored by the El Paso CityCounty Office of Emergency Management, Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Tribe, and the City of El Paso Department of Health: Nov. 18, 2015 - AWR – 140 Awareness and Response to Radiological/Nuclear Accidents Nov. 18-19, 2015 – Radiation Instruments Operations Nov. 19-20, 2015 - Radiation Instruments Deployment Target Audience: Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Service, Governmental Administrative, Hazardous Materials, Law Enforcement, Public Health, Citizen/Community Volunteer, and other personnel. To register, click on the corresponding link: AWR – 140 Awareness and Response to Radiological/Nuclear Accidents https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/per-332-populationmonitoring-for-community-reception-center-course -tickets-18737292747

El Paso

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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Mass Fatality Management A mass fatality incident (MFI) is an incident involving mass human fatalities and may occur as the result of a natural disaster, a terrorism event, or an infectious disease. This type of incident has the potential to quickly

Fatality Management plan that delineates task assignments for various partners who would respond to a mass fatality incident and outlines the primary responsibilities of the DPH during an incident.

overwhelm the resources of El Paso, requiring a coordinated response from emergency responders and support agencies. As a support agency, the DPH Preparedness program partnered with the El Paso County Chief

REPARED PP REPARED MASS FATALITY ANAGEMENT MASS FATALITY M MANAGEMENT

Medical Examiner, Dr. Mario Rascon, to develop a Mass

Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) The Department of Public Health Emergency Prepared-

gency Management. The results of the CASPER will serve

ness Program (PHEP) staff and UTEP MPH Interns joined

to identify areas for improvement and to develop and

a team of over 40 individuals in conducting a CASPER at

implement a plan of action to strengthen the tribal com-

the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo (YDSP) region on September

munity’s capacity to respond to community emergen-

15th and 16th. The team was led by the YDSP Office of

cies.

Emergency Management staff and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Emergency Prepar-

To

learn

more

about

CASPER,

go

to:

http://

www.cdc.gov/nceh/hsb/disaster/casper.htm

edness Program – Region 9/10. To learn more about Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo, go to: http:// The purpose of the CASPER was to canvass and survey

over 330 households within the 2 districts of the tribal community to assess their degree of knowledge and level of preparedness to respond to a community disaster or emergency. This is the first time a CASPER is conducted in the United States within a tribal nation in Texas. Other participating agencies included the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), and the New Mexico Office of Emer-

www.ysletadelsurpueblo.org/

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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Summer 2015 Workshop Series The third Preparedness Summer Workshop Series hosted by the DPH PHEP took place between May and August. The first workshop, a Seminar on Developing a Radiological Volunteer Capacity in El Paso, Texas, took place on May 9th. It featured several experts in the field of radiation response and provided an opportunity for radiation professionals to enroll in the West Texas MRC as a volunteer. Radiation Seminar: Participants test radiation instruments

The second workshop, “Nurses Role in Disaster Preparedness and Response”, took place on June 25th at the Radisson Hotel-Airport. The purpose of the workshop was to prepare local nurses to prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from community health emergencies. The last of the 2015 seminar series, a half-day seminar hosted at the Department of Public Health on August 19th on “Shale Development and Fracking”. The purpose of the seminar was to familiarize participants with tools, examples and case resources that provide information and strategies for understanding the shale development process. The

Ambus tour during Nurses’ Workshop

seminar also provided an opportunity to

identify local

stakeholders and develop partnerships, hear about legal developments, and effective policy implementation and collaborative initiatives taking place throughout the country. Guest speakers include several experts from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), RESOLVE, Shell Gulf Oil, and Jefferson County, Colorado Public Health.

Angela Mora & Guest Speakers during Fracking Seminar

Stay tuned for 2016 Summer Workshops!

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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2-1-1 Rio Grande Region & the West Texas Regional Poison Center Lead the Way in Texas for the CDC’s Flu on Call™ Since 2013 the 2-1-1 Rio Grande Region Call Center, housed at the City of El Paso Department of Public Health, and the West Texas Regional Poison Center, located at University Medical Center of El Paso have

developed a close partnership while working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NACCHO and Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) in developing and promoting the CDC’s Flu on Call™, initially named the Nurse Triage Line Project. The Flu on Call™ Project emerged from lessons learned during the 2009–2010 H1N1 influenza pan-

demic response. During that response, several state and local health departments established influenza lines that employed nurses working under a standard clinical protocol to triage callers. The call lines provided accurate information to the public, decreased the spread of disease by encouraging people to stay home, and reduced medical surge on the healthcare system. The Flu on Call™ Project explored the successful Flu Lines at other states to conceptualize and develop a national flu line. The goals of Flu on Call™ are to explore the possibility of using a coordinated national network of triage lines during a severe pandemic to: 1) provide an alternative to face-to-face provider encounters; 2) reduce medical surge and increase appropriate use of medical resources; and 3) improve access to antiviral prescriptions for ill persons.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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Flu on Call™, cont’d El Paso 2013 Simulation Exercise Results The initial Simulation Exercise (SIMEX) was conducted in El Paso, Texas in 2013 with participation from 2-1-1 Call Center - Rio Grande Region, the West Texas Regional Poison Center, NACCHO, ASTHO and the CDC. The SIMEX involved the following: 

Trained actors at CDC called a toll free number dedicated to the Flu on Call™ Project



2-1-1 specialists answered calls, provided information and routed “sick” people to the West Texas Regional Poison Center



95% of callers reported needs were met from the call



214 calls were completed in 2 sessions (100%)



Wait times/call duration were within acceptable limits



High correlation between expected disposition and actual disposition (>88%)



Call centers able to handle 2-2.5 times usual call volume

Flu on Call™ Assumptions for Planning 

Scope—nationwide availability of services – based on best practices identified from 2009’s H1N1 epidemic.



Callers can be best served “where they belong” – many healthy individuals do not require in-person visit with a healthcare practitioner for mild cases of influenza.



Reduce unnecessary ED, clinic, and provider visits to help minimize the surge of individuals seeking care



Provide accurate information to the public



Reduce transmission of infection in waiting room areas



Reduce misinformation and rumors about the pandemic



Improve access to prescriptions for antiviral medications

Future Plans for Flu on Call™ The successful exercise in 2013 led to the expansion of the Flu on Call™ Project to other 2-1-1 centers and poison centers in 18 other states with additional drill simulations completed in 2014 and 2015. The project’s participants will continue to test and improve on their interoperability and connectivity while continuing to enhance their resources to respond to an influenza pandemic. The potential for the network to be activated for a “live drill” is being considered based on the severity of this upcoming flu season and interest from state and local health departments.

Only used in a severe pandemic when: 

A large proportion of people experiencing symptoms of influenza-like illness are seeking care and/or existing healthcare systems are not adequately meeting the need



Model may be used for other health emergencies



Works best if the network is built, tested, and confirmed “ready” to activate before a pandemic occurs

Potential Benefits of Flu on Call™ 

Direct ill persons to appropriate care, if needed

El Paso’s Department of Public Health and UMC’s West Texas Regional Poison Center remain committed to not only helping to advance our country’s ability to respond to a public health crisis such as would be seen by a severe influenza pandemic, but, and perhaps most importantly, to also strengthening their collaboration and partnership in order to leverage their resources and expertise to improve El Paso’s health and well-being.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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City of El Paso Department of Public Health Issue 1 October 2015

Upcoming Events Date

Event

Information

November 17, 2015

Regional Binational Ebola Virus Disease Public Health Forum

Email Fernando Gonzalez, [email protected], for more information.

November 18, 2015

AWR – 140 Awareness and Response to radiological/Nuclear Accidents

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/awr-140awareness-and-response-toradiologicalnuclear-incidents-tickets18736069087

November 18-19, 2015

Radiation Instruments Operations

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/per-radiationinstruments-operations-tickets-18855215457

November 19-20, 2015

Radiation Instruments Deployment

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/per-radiationinstruments-deployment-tickets18865890386

September 24, 2016

2nd Annual Community Preparedness Expo

Location TBD.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Newsletter, Issue 1

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State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) Do you or anyone you know need some assistance during times of an emergency event? The state of Texas presents the STEAR program. The STEAR program is a free registry that provides local emergency planners and emergency responders with additional information on the needs in their community. Texas communities use the registry information in different ways. Registering yourself in the STEAR registry DOES NOT guarantee that you will receive a specific service during an emergency. Available services will vary by community. For more information on how your community will use information in the STEAR registry, contact your local emergency management office. Who Should Register? People with Disabilities People with access and functional needs such as:

People who have limited mobility People who have communication barriers People who require additional medical assistance during an emergency event People who require transportation assistance People who require personal care assistance How to Register Register Online at https://STEAR.dps.texas.gov Dial 2-1-1 or use your video telephone relay option of choice to contact 211 at 877-541-7905 (Texas Information Referral Network)

Department of Public Health Public Health Emergency Preparedness 5115 El Paso Drive El Paso, Texas 79905 915-212-6502