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Bryon Backenson New York State Department of Health

NYSDOH Response to Hurricane Sandy New York State Department of Health Extreme Weather Planning & Response. Bryon Backenson New York State Department of Health . How Do We Plan for Extremes?.

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Bryon Backenson New York State Department of Health

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  1. NYSDOH Response to Hurricane SandyNew York State Department of Health Extreme Weather Planning & Response Bryon Backenson New York State Department of Health

  2. How Do We Plan for Extremes? NYSDOH currently maintains an All Hazards based Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, which includes the Department’s Incident Management System (IMS) Plan IMS is the Department’s adaptation of Incident Command and establishes the methods, roles and responsibilities for the department in ALL emergencies Command & Control Operations Subject Matter Experts: Epidemiology, Environmental, Laboratories, Healthcare Facilities, etc… Planning Agency situation reporting, Incident Action Plans (IAPs)

  3. How Do We Plan for Extremes? The IMS Group uses Department plans and operating guides such as the Incident Management System Annex to manage any and all incidents within New York State 2009 H1N1 2011 Hurricane Irene & Tropical Storm Lee 2012 Hurricane Sandy The Extreme Weather Planning & Response Guide sits as an Appendix in the IMS Annex, this document: Defines Extreme Weather Events in New York State Identifies the Department’s role in a defined weather event Outlines the Department’s actions

  4. Hurricane SandyOct 29th, 2012

  5. State and Local Government Action • Issued States of Emergency • Used Traditional News Media and Social Media to Communicate with Population • NYC Mayor ordered evacuation of 400,000 people • NYS Governor ordered shutdown of NYC subway system Preparedness Phase

  6. Public Action • Most people obeyed order to evacuate when told to do so • Even if not ordered to evacuate • Listened to news media about warnings • Bought bottled water and non-perishable foods, batteries and flashlights and lanterns • Purchased drugs and other medical supplies • Charged mobile phones and filled automobiles with gasoline • Purchased generators for back-up power if needed • Schools and businesses closed to prevent travelling during storm Preparedness Phase

  7. Press releases, risk communication messages, newspaper articles, and social media sites….

  8. 48 Situation Reports & Daily IMS Coordination Calls • Issued - 61 Boil Water Orders (BWO) • Co-lead for State Mass Care Support Group and supported mass care efforts in the affected jurisdictions. • Disaster Recovery Centers – provided Staff for 61 locations • IHANS Notifications over 600,000 NYSDOH IMS

  9. Plan Activation Healthcare Facility Evacuations During Sandy: 6,001 Patients and residents were evacuated from NYC Healthcare Facilities 56 Facilities evacuated in NYC, Nassau, Westchester and Suffolk Counties Primary plans used for response were the NYC Coastal Storm Plan and the NYS Response and Recovery Annexes The Extreme Weather Planning & Response Guide was not formally implemented, the public messaging included in the plan is a primary response role

  10. Activation—Communicable Disease Multiple areas of NYSDOH all participate in Sandy response Regional staff impacted personally NYSDOH acting as county health departments at varying times. Need to relay that information to pertinent agencies Hospitals, commercial labs, residents, etc. Relay of electronic laboratory reports with power compromised Implement novel surveillance mechanisms earlier than anticipated Computer-assisted surveillance for multiple illnesses GI list expanded, but impacted by power and reporting issues? Have different areas/facilities to monitor Multiple shelters, run by multiple organizations

  11. Moving Forward In 2010 - Local Health Departments within New York State used a similar format to develop local All Hazards Public Health Emergency Response (PHEPR) Plans The NYSDOH Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HEPR) Plan is formally updated every 4 years, however, portions are updated as needed Future updated guidance will include a use-able template for Local Health Departments to include in future iterations of their local plans

  12. Acknowledgements Office of Health Emergency Preparedness - Plan Coordinator - Sarah-Anne Roberts Kate Butler-Azzopardi & Michael Perillo Office of Public Health Practice Dr. Millicent Eidson & Kathleen Clancy Division of Epidemiology Hwa-GanH. Chang Center for Environmental Health (CEH) Dr. Wanda Lizak-Welles & Eileen Franko Public Affairs Group & Crisis Emergency Risk Communications John Emery Public Health Emergency Epidemiology (PHEEP) Dr. Daniel Kuhles, Lynn Couey Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (BEMS) James Soto Office of Health Systems Management (OHSM) Deborah Sottolano

  13. Questions ? For More Information Please Contact: Office of Heath Emergency Preparedness518.474.2893

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