Integrating Traditional Emergency Response Methods into the Local Health Department’s Preparedness Procedures

Speaker:           Kevin G. Sumner, MPH

                        Middle-Brook Regional Health Commission

An interactive session focusing on defining Public Health Preparedness and providing tools and strategies to facilitate a local health agency’s development of a workplace culture that is responsive to its community in the case of a natural disaster, Bioterrorism or other emergency event.  Attendees actively participate in exercises designed to foster communication and initiate the development of a vocabulary common to traditional services (e.g. police, fire, emergency medical services).  Activities are introduced that can be used by local public health agency staff to develop a cohesive response unit and culture within the agency for use during day to day operations and emergencies.

Traditional Emergency Response agencies operate in a paramilitary style that fosters a disciplined, organized, and efficient response.  Public health can and must learn from this style of operation and integrate it into its efforts to improve public health emergency response.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will have a better understanding of the methods utilized by traditional emergency responders to affect an efficient and successful response.
2. Participants will take away proven techniques that can be integrated into their day-to-day operations and emergency response procedures.
3. Participants will learn how to collaborate with their emergency response partners to develop and understand a language common to all and to better prepare for an integrated cooperative emergency response.