|
|
|
Flu Pandemic Planning Since mention of a possible flu pandemic in the 14 October INFOGRAM, the EMR-ISAC has continued researching a variety of sources for pertinent planning practices relevant to the Emergency Services Sector (ESS). Considering the potential for degradation of critical infrastructure operations and services caused by severe personnel shortages, the EMR-ISAC offers the following basic suggestions for ESS leaders nationwide: - Understand how a pandemic could affect the organization's human resources. Pandemics occasionally occur as a series of waves, i.e., there could be a first wave of approximately eight weeks, possibly followed by others. The overall pandemic could continue for six months. Once it begins, personnel absenteeism rates of 25 to 60 percent are possible. - Meet with staff well in advance of the onset of a pandemic. Discuss the impending emergency and formulate short- and long-range plans to facilitate the organization's survivability, continuity, and response-ability. Identify core functions, people, and skills. Strategize how to manage and plan for absences, information management, and any systems that rely on periodic physical intervention to keep them operating. - Designate an "influenza manager" to conduct preparedness activities.
This individual creates a system to monitor personnel, ensures all personnel update their medical and health insurance information, facilitates their return to work after an absence, and guarantees adequate supplies of medical and hygiene products, food, water, fuel, etc. An outline of the role of an influenza manager, flu-versus-cold symptom charts, and a flowchart of steps to take as soon as an individual displays symptoms are included in the "Influenza Pandemic Planning: Planning Guide for Infrastructure Providers" at: - Make the ability to communicate a priority. Update contact lists and evaluate all communication options to keep personnel informed. Consider using the voice mail system to post daily updates. Establish a way to communicate with suppliers or vendors. - Plan to step up facility cleaning. Change HVAC filters and treat with an anti-bacterial agent, clean telephones daily, and apply anti-bacterial agents daily to all common areas. Create a stockpile of sanitizing products. Determine whether it would be feasible to have a short period between shifts when the facility could have windows opened for ventilation. A prominent emergency medical physician, Dr. Jerry Mothershead from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, recently summarized the matter: "Whatever preparedness and response requirements are developed to protect humans from this potential catastrophe are likely to be adaptable to other disasters or public-health emergencies, and thus provide an incentive for dual-benefits solutions." The full article with Dr. Mothershead's commentary can be seen at: www.domprep.com/index.lasso?pgID=3&arID=1188 A Message From
|
