ESF 8 - Pub Health and Med Svs

Emergency Support Function (ESF) #8

Public Health and Medical Services

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Primary Agencies

Central Shenandoah Health District

Secondary/Support Agencies

University Health Center

Department of Social Services

Harrisonburg Public Utilities

Rockingham County Dept of Public Works

Community Services Board

Fire and EMS Departments

Law Enforcement Agencies

Hospital Systems

Red Cross

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Virginia Department of Health

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Virginia State Animal Response Team

Introduction:

Purpose:

Emergency Support Function #8 (Health and Medical Services) provides for coordinated medical, public health, mental health, and emergency medical services to save lives in the time of an emergency. These health and medical needs are to include veterinary and/or animal health issues when appropriate.

Scope:

ESF #8 meets public health and medical needs of victims affected by an incident. This support is categorized in the following way:

• Assessment of public health/medical needs.

• Public Health surveillance.

• Medical care personnel and medical equipment and supplies; and

• Detection and mitigation of mental health issues and harmful stress levels in the general public.

Policies:

The Central Shenandoah Health District coordinates all ESF #8 response actions using its own internal policies and procedures.

Each ESF #8 organization is responsible for managing its respective response assets after receiving coordinating instructions.

If a Joint Information Center (JIC) is established by the locality, it is authorized to release general medical and public health response information to the public after consultation with the Health District.

The Health District determines the appropriateness of all requests for public health and medical information; and

The Health District is responsible for consulting with and organizing public health and subject matter experts as needed.

Concept of Operations

General:

During a threatened or actual emergency, the Director of Health or his/her designated representative will direct coordinated health and medical services from the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Coordination will be implemented with adjacent jurisdictions as required.

Should a disaster substantially overwhelm the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County medical and EMS resources, support and assistance will be requested from medical institutions and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers in neighboring jurisdictions. If neighboring jurisdictions are unable to assist, then a request will be made to VEOC for ESF #8 support. The crisis augmentation of trained health and medical volunteers may also be appropriate. Essential public health services, such as food and water inspections, will be provided by the Health District and augmented by state-level resources and manpower. Public health advisories will be issued only after coordination with the EOC.

During an evacuation in which a large number of evacuees are sheltered in a local shelter, Harrisonburg and Rockingham County EMS providers and/or the Health District will set up and staff an emergency medical aid station in the shelter center in coordination with ESF #6 (Mass Care, Housing, and Human Services). Law enforcement agencies will provide security, coordinated with ESF #13 (Public Safety and Security). The Health District will monitor food safety and shelter sanitation as well as disease surveillance and ‘contact’ investigations if warranted. The Planning District #19 Community Services Board will provide mental health services.

Organization:

An emergency medical service representative will be assigned to the EOC in order to coordinate the EMS response. The EMS representative will be a part of the EOC staff and will assist with the overall direction and control of emergency operations. All of the emergency medical service vehicles are dispatched from their station or through the Emergency Communications Center.

The Harrisonburg and Rockingham County fire departments/rescue squads will provide emergency medical transportation, assist with the evacuation of endangered areas, and assist in land search and rescue operations. The City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County funeral homes will assist the Health District and the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in disasters involving mass casualties.

Actions:

Designate an individual to coordinate medical, health, and EMS services.

Develop and maintain procedures for providing a coordinated response.

Establish a working relationship and review emergency roles with the local hospitals and emergency medical services providers.

Implement mutual aid agreements as necessary.

The Central Shenandoah Health District representative will report to the EOC.

Coordinate medical, public health, and mental health services.

Provide laboratory service to support emergency public health protection measures.

Coordinate additional health/medical personnel (e.g., physicians, nurse practitioners, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, and other trained volunteers) and supplies as needed.

Maintain records and monitor the status of persons injured during the emergency.

Assist the Medical Examiner in the identification and disposition of the deceased.

Assist with damage assessment of water and sewage facilities, as required.

Consolidate and submit a record of disaster-related expenses.

Responsibilities:

Provide personnel, equipment, supplies and other resources necessary to coordinate plans and programs for public health activities during an incident.

Inspect and advise on general food handling and sanitation matters.

Establish communications with ESF #5 (Emergency Management) to report and receive assessments and status information.

Coordinate through the ESF #15 (External Affairs) the dissemination of disaster related public health information to the public.

Provide preventive health services.

Coordinate with hospitals and other health providers on response to health needs.

Provide investigation and surveillance of harmful health matters and coordinate elimination, prevention, and/or mitigation.

Provide coordination of laboratory services.

Coordinate with hospital medical control on patient care issues and operations.

Coordinate transportation of the sick and injured with area hospitals or receiving facilities and other EMS agencies.

Coordinate behavioral health activities among response agencies.

Assess behavioral health needs following an incident, considering both the immediate and cumulative stress resulting from the incident.

Coordinate through ESF #15 (External Affairs) the dissemination of public education on critical incident stress and stress management techniques.

Provide outreach to serve identified behavioral health needs.

Coordinate with ESF #6 (Mass Care, Housing, and Human Resources) to identify shelter occupants that may require assistance.

Provide water control assistance.

Local/Regional hospitals will provide medical care for those injured or ill.

Assist in expanding medical and mortuary services to other facilities, if required; and

Identify deceased with assistance from the Police Department and Virginia State Police.

Emergency Support Function #8 – Attachment 1

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Central Shenandoah Health District Phone Number:

(540) 332-7830 or after-hours emergency number at (866) 531-3068

The following facilities can be used as temporary health facilities or Point of Distribution immunization clinics:

• City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County school facilities

• Godwin Hall and Convocation Center (JMU)

• University Commons (EMU)

• Rockingham County Fair Grounds

Emergency Support Function #8 – Attachment 2

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Emergency Support Function #8 – Attachment 3

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DATE: _________________________

TO: _________________________

FROM: City of Harrisonburg/Rockingham County/James Madison University

SUBJECT: Health Risks Resulting from (Event, site, & date) .

The (event) at _________________________ in the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County on ____/____/______ released chemical particles into the environment in concentrations sufficient to cause health problems in some persons.

Individuals suffering from chronic respiratory conditions, the elderly, infants and young children, and other individuals highly sensitive to air pollutants are at increased risk.

Although residents were evacuated, it is possible that some evacuees may experience symptoms, which are characteristic of over exposure to these chemicals.

Shelter residents should be monitored for symptoms, which are characteristic of exposure to the chemicals, which necessitated the evacuation. These symptoms are:

(enter symptoms from SDS or other sources)

In addition to specific information on patient’s medical condition and treatment, record specific information related to the incident such as patient’s location when exposed to contaminants, estimated distance of that location from (site of incident) , and estimated time of onset of symptoms. Report incidents to the Department of Health. For additional information contact the Central Shenandoah Health District at (540) 332-7830.

Emergency Support Function #8 – Attachment 4

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The {organization issuing release} has issued a Public Health Advisory because of an incident that occurred at (Location) on ____/____/______ which involved a (Event) .

Substances released into the environment during this incident can present health risks to susceptible persons. Persons who have been exposed to these chemicals may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

(list symptoms on the SDS)

Any person who was in the vicinity of (site of event) between (hours) on (day) should be alert to symptoms indicating exposure to the chemicals released. Persons experiencing symptoms of contamination are advised to consult their physician or go to the nearest hospital emergency department for evaluation.

For additional information contact the Central Shenandoah Health District at (540) 332-7830.

Emergency Support Function #8 – Attachment 5

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DATE: _____________________________

TO: All Primary Care Physicians in (area, site & date)

FROM: {organization issuing release}

SUBJECT: Health Risks Resulting from (event, site and date)

The (event) at (site) in the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County released chemical particles into the environment in concentrations enough to cause health problems in some persons. Individuals suffering from chronic respiratory conditions, the elderly, infants and young children, and other individuals highly sensitive to air pollutants are at increased risk. Although precautions were taken, it is possible that some residents in the area may experience symptoms, which are characteristic of over exposure to these chemicals.

Exposure to (list name(s) of chemicals involved) with patients experiencing (signs/symptoms) .

In addition to specific information on patient’s medical condition and treatment, record specific information related to the incident such as patient’s location when exposed to contaminants, estimated distance of that location from (site of incident) , and estimated time of onset of symptoms. Report incidents to the Central Shenandoah Health District.

For additional information contact the Central Shenandoah Health District at (540) 332-7830.

Emergency Support Function #8 – Attachment 6

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DATE: ____/____/______

TO: All Primary Care Facilities in (area, city)

FROM: {organization issuing release}

SUBJECT: Health Risks Resulting from (event, site & date)

The (event) at (site) in the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County released chemical particles into the environment in concentrations enough to cause health problems in some persons. Individuals suffering from chronic respiratory conditions, the elderly, infants and young children, and other individuals highly sensitive to air pollutants are at increased risk. Although precautions were taken, it is possible that some residents in the area may experience symptoms, which are characteristic of over exposure to these chemicals. Exposure to (list name(s) of chemicals involved) with patients experiencing (signs/symptoms) .

In addition to specific information on patient’s medical condition and treatment, record specific information related to the incident such as patient’s location when exposed to contaminants, estimated distance of that location from (site of incident) , and an estimated time of onset of symptoms. Report incidents to the Central Shenandoah Health District.

For additional information contact the Central Shenandoah Health District at (540) 332-7830.

Emergency Support Function #8 – Attachment 7

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Sentara RMH Medical Center

238 bed facility

Located at 2010 Health Campus Drive, Rockingham, VA 22801

Main Telephone Number: 540-689-1000

24 Hour Services:

• Emergency Room

• Radiology

• Pathology

• Poison Control Center

• Operating Rooms

• Respiratory

• Laboratory

• Pharmacy

• Security

Emergency Support Function #8 – Attachment 8

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