Recorded presentation

Lisa G. Kaplowitz, MD, MSHA, Robert Mauskapf, Suzanne G Silverstein, MA, RD, Trina Lee, Kimberly Allan, MPA, and Williams Berthrong. Emergency Preparedness and Response, Virginia Department of Health, 109 Governor Street 13th floor, Richmond, VA 23219, 804-864-7025, Lisa.Kaplowitz@vdh.virginia.gov

Background: In 2002, states received increased federal funding to improve the public health response to bioterrorism (BT) and other emergencies. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) took an all hazards approach to emergency preparedness, including natural emergencies. Development: Hurricane Isabel entered Virginia on September 18, 2003, impacting the entire state, mainly the Eastern, Central and Northern regions. Damages due to wind, rain, and storm surge resulted in flooding, electrical outages, loss of water supplies, injuries, deaths, and extensive damage. Implementation: VDH participated in statewide emergency planning for a week prior to hurricane landfall. The VDH Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) operated from Sept 18 -24; VDH staffed the state EOC from Sept 16 - Oct 14. Health districts and hospitals worked with institutional and local EOCs, regularly reporting to the VDH ECC. Issues addressed included: 1) loss of power to 80% of customers, impacting healthcare facilities and persons receiving homecare, 2) loss of water supply to large areas, followed by boil water alerts, 3) deaths and injuries due to falling debris, flooding, generator use, 4) restaurant inspections, 5) vector-borne disease control. Evaluation: An after action report identified needed improvements: 1) management and coordination of communications with district health departments, hospitals, local and state EOCs, 2) definition of roles and responsibilities with improved coordination of efforts, 3) public dissemination of information, 4) addressing special needs populations. A broadly representative committee will recommend changes to Emergency Operations Plans based on after action reports for Hurricane Isabel and the October state exercise.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify public health aspects of emergency response to a natural disaster impacting an entire state
• Describe coordinated response with other emergency response agencies and organizations
• Evaluate the public health response and use lessons learned to modify emergency operations plans

Keywords: Disasters,

Related Web page: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation