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Hurricane Katrina: Evacuee Mental Health and Care
"Mental health planning and care delivery to evacuees from Hurricane Katrina and other disasters requires a 1) public health approach for populations, 2) treatment delivery for expected normal rates of all psychiatric illness in the population, 3) care for trauma related disorders, 4) care for emerging disorders such as substance withdrawal and associated medical conditions with psychological consequences and perhaps most importantly, 5) community building. The relocation of hurricane survivors from the New Orleans Superdome to the Texas Astrodome following Katrina is a primary model for this plan. This evacuation will move as many as 20-25,000 people."
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
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Information for Relief Workers on Emotional Reactions to Human Bodies in Mass Death
"In your work with this disaster you are likely to see, smell, and handle the dead bodies of men women and children of all ages. Working with or around human remains may arouse strong feelings of pity, horror, repulsion, disgust, and anger at the senselessness of this tragedy. You may feel guilty for not helping enough. These reactions are normal and a part of being human. You may feel emotionally numb, or you may even use 'graveyard humor' to make the suffering and death seem less terrible. These are also normal responses. Strong emotions or reactions may be most painful when a victim is a child, or reminds you of someone you love, or of yourself. Even if you've worked in disaster environments before you may react differently here than you have in the past. Remember strong emotions are honorable and they confirm your humanity. Here are lessons learned by other people who have worked with bodies in disaster environments. Although these tips cannot make a horrible event easy they will help you continue to work, and to live with your experiences and memories without being haunted by them."
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
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Business Leadership in Bioterrorism Preparedness
"The workplace has been the primary target of terrorism in the United States. The events of 9/11, the anthrax attacks of 2001, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the 1993 World Trade Center underscores the fact that terrorism has occurred where and when people work. The goal of terrorism is to erode our sense of national security, disrupt the continuity of society and destroy social capital-morale, cohesion and shared values. In taking a proactive role to protect their organization's security, business continuity and employee health, business leaders should be aware of the following: 1) the workplace is a newly recognized environment for preparedness 2) the workplace has existing resources to facilitate preparedness 3) the workplace will encounter resistance to prepare 4) the workplace can reframe preparedness to promote resiliency, business continuity and social cohesion."
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
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Psychological Concerns after Hurricane Katrina: Tips for Medical Care Providers
"Health care providers assume many roles in the midst of natural disasters: caregiver, leader, comforter, and information source. Hurricane Katrina has displaced thousands, destroyed countless homes and property, and claimed numerous lives. Although the hurricane's strength has dissipated, its aftermath will be felt for considerable time to come. As health care providers mobilize to help, they should be mindful of the losses experienced by the population they will assist. Interviewing with sensitivity is essential, and is the first step in assessing specific needs. This fact sheet provides information for health care providers after hurricanes and pays special attention to some of the issues for individuals providing support in the aftermath of Katrina."
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
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Hurricane Katrina: Sustaining Effectiveness in First Responders
"First responders must work together to help individuals in the aftermath of a disaster. This cooperation is often a community's first step towards repair. By providing direction, protection, treatment, and security first responders help the affected population 'rebuild community. Katrina has destroyed cities, towns, and neighborhoods. Thousands of people are displaced, and must now live in crowded conditions. The recovery effort will require communities to work with local first responders, with first responders who arrive from afar, and with other agencies and communities at distant locations. All first responders bring to the relief efforts their unique training and skills. The ideas listed below will help first responders of all job-types work most effectively with each other and the communities they assist."
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
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Media Management in Body Recovery from Mass Death
"The media are often the major means of communication about disasters. Accurate information about such events is critical for the public perception of what has transpired and likely next steps. It is the responsibility of all persons involved in the recovery of bodies from mass death to provide truthful and accurate information to the media. However, there should be only a limited number of persons who are authorized to provide information to the media. Such information, while accurate and truthful, must respect and be sensitive to the dead, the living, and the workers. Guidelines are applicable before, during, and after the event. The following information applies to United States authorities. These practices may help you to provide the media with the best possible information."
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
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Leadership and Supervision for Body Recovery in Mass Death
"When the magnitude of death and destruction from an event is severe, many different groups of workers are involved and often work in isolation from each other. Some will undergo the same or similar stresses and emotions; many will have unique stressors and emotions that supervisors are required to understand and manage. Supervision is paramount in maintaining organized and efficient recovery efforts. The following management practices can help minimize difficulties on site and after the event."
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
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Recovery in the Aftermath of Workplace Violence: Guidance for Supervisors
"Supervisors face particular challenges following any violent incident in the work setting. Even after the work area is secured, and victims or perpetrators are no longer present, emotional reactions and distress behaviors may compromise performance. Leaders may take steps to reduce untoward consequences for employees and for the workplace. The first requirement for the office staff recovery is assuring safety. Leaders should be aware that victims, intended victims, colleagues and bystanders may experience significant emotional distress whether or not physically injured-but those closest to the event, or with close relationships to the victim(s) or perpetrator(s) will likely be most affected. For most employees, the cornerstone of emotional recovery is talk and leaders can best assess their employees by talking with them. Leaders should demonstrate their willingness to discuss the event and their own emotions. As some people will not want to participate in group discussions it is essential that supervisors speak with these individuals one to one to gauge their feelings and mental state. An 'open door policy' and management presence or informal 'checking in' may be helpful. The second most important leader action in recovery is promoting a sense of normalcy and a return to normal work schedules and routines. A sense of normalcy is achieved gradually. The more traumatic and dramatic the event, the more likely that people will be emotionally affected and these memories will only gradually fade. Most people move on to integrate a tragedy or otherwise significant event into their consciousness without continuing mental distress or disability. The actions below will help managers foster a sense of safety and of return to normalcy."
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
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Recovery in the Aftermath of Workplace Violence: Guidance for Workers
"Returning to work routines following any violent incident at the workplace can be very challenging. Even after the work area is secured, and victims or perpetrators are no longer present, emotional reactions and distress may reduce concentration, motivation, and performance. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the negative impact of your traumatic experience. The first requirement for individual and office recovery after violence is assuring safety. You should know that victims, intended victims, colleagues and bystanders may experience significant emotional distress whether or not they were physically injured. People closest to the event or those with close relationships to the victim(s) or perpetrator(s) will likely be most affected. For the majority of people the cornerstone of emotional recovery is talk. You can help yourself and your colleagues by talking with them. When you demonstrate your willingness to discuss the event and your own emotions you help others do so. Some people will not want to participate in group discussions. If you are very uncomfortable in group settings it is important to be able to speak one-to-one to a supervisor. After workplace violence many supervisors have an 'open door policy' to allow this to happen. Since a sense of 'normalcy' and a return to normal work schedules and routines helps most people adjust after violence, your supervisors will encourage this. A sense of normalcy occurs gradually. The more traumatic and dramatic the event, the more likely that people will be emotionally affected, and these memories and reactions will only gradually fade. Most people move on to integrate a tragedy or otherwise significant event into their consciousness without continuing mental distress or disability. The actions below will help you develop a sense of safety and speed return to normalcy."
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
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Guidelines for Notifying Families of Dead or Missing Loved Ones
"This document is written for leaders, health care providers, and disaster workers who assist local and national authorities following natural disasters, terrorist actions, or other events that result in large numbers of dead, injured, and missing persons. In a natural disaster of great magnitude and scope, multiple countries are directly affected and many nations' citizens from outside the region are killed or missing. In such an event, providing information to families whose loved ones are missing is accomplished by government organizations (including embassies, state department consular staff, and military services) as well as a number of non-governmental organizations such as the Red Cross. Nations have different organizations that are likely to be involved. Procedures for notification of the next of kin when a family member or loved one is missing or has been confirmed dead are usually highly structured, formal and depend on the particular citizen's country's laws, customs, procedures, and traditions. Non-local disaster workers will be most successful when acting through local authorities. In the absence of official authorities, guidance can be sought from local personnel who hold a respected place in the affected communities. Local officials should perform the notification whenever possible. Local customs will usually dictate who does the informing, who in the family is informed, documentation of the circumstances of the death (manner and cause of death, condition and location of the remains) and actions yet to be taken, if any, before the body is returned to the family. When a person is missing, the following information will help authorities to communicate with family members: the circumstances at the disaster site, status of efforts to recover bodies, and how remains will be returned. Do not offer guarantees about the time required or assurances that a body will be recovered. "
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
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Body Recovery and Stress Management for Leaders and Supervisors
"The magnitude of death and destruction in this event require special measures to manage body recovery. Physical safety and security of body handlers takes priority over providing psychological counseling. Supervision is paramount in maintaining an organized, efficient work party for recovery efforts. Jurisdictional issues will be present and will not be easily resolved due to conflicts between investigative and recovery tasks. Provide a management structure to direct workers to where they are needed and provide supervision. One of the risks with a task of this magnitude is workers "getting lost" with no one who knows who or where they are. It is difficult to predict the kinds of psychological problems that any individual will have, however, the following management plan can help minimize later difficulties."
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
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Hazardous Materials Clean Up and Continuous Operations
"Hazardous materials recovery teams can perform for long periods of time with the right support. Civilian and military personnel have long been expected to operate at an acceptable level of efficiency in difficult, continuous, and sustained operations. This has led to a large body of studies done on operational requirements. Identified factors that may contribute to various types of performance degradation include: protective equipment and environmental demands (heat, cold, high altitude); extreme environments (undersea, polar, outer space); conditions of low stimulation inducing boredom; night operations; prolonged combat and exposure to life-threatening work; sleep deprivation; and other situations. In non-military settings, workers often have work and union rules, the freedom to quit a job, and they cannot be ordered to perform certain tasks except in very special circumstances. Failure to adhere to performance guidelines can be the result of organizational breakdown. In this way, organizational disruption can lead to sleep loss, fatigue, poor performance, accidents, psychological stress, and reduced effectiveness."
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
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Pandemic Planning and Response: Critical Elements for Business Planning
"Pandemic preparedness and response is a shared responsibility involving government (local, state and federal) and the private sector. A pandemic has the potential to be a catastrophic disaster of unprecedented scale. It is estimated that the clinical disease attack rate will be 30 percent in the overall population. Rates of illness will be highest among school-aged children (about 40 percent) and decline with age. Among working adults, an average of 20 percent will become ill during a community outbreak. While many businesses have extensive contingency plans in response to threats from diverse natural and manmade disasters, pandemic planning must address the extreme health and mental health impact assumptions and containment strategies projected for a severe pandemic influenza. A pandemic will likely reduce dramatically the number of available workers in all sectors, and significantly disrupt the movement of people and goods, which will threaten essential services and operations within and across our nation. The ability to implement effective pandemic preparedness plans, continuously monitor all business activities, and effect rapid adjustments based upon observed and anticipated impacts will be the hallmark of the business that copes most effectively during a pandemic The following points related to an organization's human continuity are often forgotten and must be incorporated into workplace pandemic planning to sustain employee health, mental health and productivity."
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
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Justice Information Sharing [website]
This is the Justice Information Sharing website of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. The site contains information on Global Justice, National Initiatives, Privacy & Civil Liberties and Policy and Implementation.
United States. Office of Justice Programs
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NNSA's Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) Program: Modernizing the Nuclear Weapons Complex Today To Make It More Responsive to the Challenges of Tomorrow [Fact Sheet]
"In order to achieve President Bush's vision of the smallest nuclear weapons stockpile needed for our national security, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has outlined a strategy that will not only reduce the number of weapons, but lead to a safer and more secure stockpile, with weapons that are more easily manufactured and maintained, backed up by a more responsive nuclear weapons infrastructure. The vehicle for this transformation is NNSA's concept for the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW). RRW is not a new weapon providing new or different military capabilities and/or missions. It will meet the same military requirements as current legacy warheads by utilizing replacement components. It will be able to ensure greater long-term confidence in safety and reliability while decreasing the likelihood that underground nuclear testing would ever be needed to ensure that confidence. Through innovative and enhanced safety and surety features, RRW will also have the capability to prevent unauthorized use."
United States. National Nuclear Security Administration
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Federal Bureau of Investigation: The Search for Anthrax [archive]
This website describes the FBI's actions in response to the anthrax scare on Capitol Hill. From the website, "A letter addressed to Senator Patrick Leahy was found by FBI and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hazardous materials personnel on Friday, November 16. The letter was in one of the 280 barrels of unopened mail collected from Capitol Hill after an anthrax-contaminated letter to Senator Daschle was first discovered. An innovative protocol was developed by scientific and forensic experts to analyze these congressional mail bags for anthrax contamination. The new method eliminated the need for hazardous materials teams to sift through each piece of mail in the 635 trash bags to find additional contaminated mail."
United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation
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UCL Hazard Research Centre [website]
The University College of London (UCL) Hazard Center (UHC) "is one of Europe's leading multidisciplinary academic centres for hazard and risk research, education and knowledge exchange. Since its establishment in 1997, the Centre has pioneered the development and delivery of research and education programmes relevant to business, industry, local and national government, and humanitarian and development agencies, whilst at the same time maintaining academic excellence within the global higher education and research arena. Through the UHC, partners and affiliates of the Centre have direct access to expertise and resources within UCL, which is one of the world's premier multi-faculty teaching and research universities."
Benfield Hazard Research Centre
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Tribal Justice and Safety [website]
The Tribal Justice and Safety website is a comprehensive resource for American Indian and Alaska Native tribal communities to help improve public safety. It includes resources addressing a range of important issues including: law enforcement policy and personnel; communications and consultation; grants and technical assistance; detention facilities; federal prosecution in Indian country; tribal court development; domestic violence; drug courts and substance abuse; federal litigation involving tribes; and civil rights.
United States. Department of Justice
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CAMEO Chemicals [website]
CAMEO (Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations) Chemicals "is a tool designed for people who are involved in hazardous material incident response and planning. This tool is part of the CAMEO® software suite, and it is available as a website, mobile website, and as a downloadable desktop program that you can run on your own computer. CAMEO Chemicals contains: A library with thousands of datasheets containing response-related information and recommendations for hazardous materials that are commonly transported, used, or stored in the United States; and A reactivity prediction tool, which you can use to predict potential reactive hazards between chemicals. CAMEO Chemicals is developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Response and Restoration in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Emergency Management.
United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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National Center for Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Disease Defense (FAZD Center) [website]
"The National Center for Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Disease Defense (FAZD Center) performs research and develops products to defend the nation from high-consequence foreign animal and zoonotic diseases. Founded in April 2004 as a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence, the FAZD Center leverages the resources of multiple major universities and Minority Serving Institutions[...]The FAZD Center focuses on research, education and outreach to prevent, detect, mitigate and recover from exotic animal, emerging, and/or zoonotic (transmissible between animals and humans) diseases, which may be introduced intentionally or through natural processes."
National Center for Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Disease Defense (U.S.)
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Wisconsin Land Information Association [website]
"The Wisconsin Land Information Association promotes land records modernization in Wisconsin. The WLIA has a strategic planning process for GIS in Wisconsin that provides a roadmap for the future. A technical task force completes work on county coordinates and emergency management. The Association is working to accomplish a new state budget, promote the Strategic Plan for GIS in Wisconsin and convince the governor to create by executive order the Wisconsin Geographic Information Council (WIGIC). And then there's data sharing, privacy, public domain laws, and other policy issues that challenge day to day activities."
Wisconsin Land Information Association
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Nobody Left Behind: Disaster Preparedness for Persons with Mobility Impairments [website]
"The mission of this research site is to investigate 30 randomly selected counties, cities, or boroughs in the United States that have recently experienced a natural or man-made disaster in order to: Determine if disaster plans and emergency response systems for homes, businesses, and the community include the health, safety, and survival needs for persons with mobility impairment; Identify the morbidity and mortality of persons with mobility impairments in these disasters; Assess if there were any post-disaster changes to address the needs of persons with mobility impairments; Identify emerging or Best Practices models for counties to assist in disaster plans and emergency responses to meet the needs of persons with mobility impairments in hopes of preventing injuries, saving lives, and assuring Nobody is Left Behind"
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
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U.S. Natural Hazard Statistics [website]
"The U.S. Natural Hazard Statistics provide statistical information on fatalities, injuries and damages caused by weather related hazards. These statistics are compiled by the Office of Services and the National Climatic Data Center from information contained in 'Storm Data', a report comprising data from NWS forecast offices in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands."
United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; United States. National Weather Service
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Transportation Security Administration: National Explosives Detection Canine Team [website]
"Our National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program prepares dogs and handlers to serve on the front lines of America's War on Terror. These very effective, mobile teams can quickly locate and identify dangerous materials that may present a threat to transportation systems. Just as important, they can quickly rule out the presence of dangerous materials in unattended packages, structures or vehicles, allowing the free and efficient flow of commerce. Law enforcement officers from all over the country travel to the our Explosives Detection Canine Handler Course at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas where they are paired with one of our canine teammates . These dogs are bred specifically for the program by our puppy program, also at Lackland AFB. German Shepherds, Belgian Malanoises, Vizslas and other types of dogs are used in the program because of their keen noses and affinity for this type of work. In addition to providing a highly trained dog and handler training, we provide partial funding for handler salaries, care and feeding of the canines, veterinary and other costs associated with the dog once the teams return to their hometowns. After dog and handler are paired up, the new team completes a rigorous 10-week course to learn to locate and identify a wide variety of dangerous materials while working as an effective unit. This training includes search techniques for aircraft, baggage, vehicles and transportation structures, as well as procedures for identifying dangerous materials and "alerting" or letting the handler know when these materials are present."
United States. Transportation Security Administration
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TSA Organization Chart
This chart illustrates the organization of the Transportation Security Administration. Each listing on the chart is a link one can click to obtain further information about each specific office.
United States. Transportation Security Administration
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Northwest Public Health [website]
"The Northwest Public Health magazine is published by the University of Washington School of Public Health and produced by the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice. The publication is dedicated to the art and science of public health, specifically the Northwest region. We feature developments from state, local, and tribal public health from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. We also highlight the cutting-edge work done by the diverse disciplines at the University of Washington School of Public Health, including biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, global health, and health services."
University of Washington. School of Public Health and Community Medicine
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Link to EPA Libraries [website]
Connects "to the home pages of the 28 EPA libraries to learn about their collections, locations and services."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
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National Drinking Water Advisory Council [website]
"EPA is committed to working with its stakeholders, the people for whom safe drinking water is an important aspect of daily and/or professional life. One of the formal means by which EPA works with its stakeholders is the National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC). l The Council, comprising members of the general public, state and local agencies, and private groups concerned with safe drinking water, advises the EPA Administrator on everything that the Agency does relating to drinking water."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
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Low-Level Radioactive Wastes: Department of Energy Has Opportunities to Reduce Disposal Costs, Report to Congressional Requesters
"The limited availability of disposal alternatives is the principal factor influencing DOEs decisions about the treatment, storage, and disposal of its low-level and mixed wastes. Four of DOEs six disposal sites"the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory; Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico; Oak Ridge Reservation, Tennessee; and Savannah River Site, South Carolina"are restricted to disposing almost exclusively of their own wastes because of limits on their remaining disposal capacity and/or unfavorable site conditions, such as proximity to groundwater or relatively wet climates. The other two disposal sites"the Hanford Site in Washington State and the Nevada Test Site"have relatively dry climates and enough capacity to dispose of nearly all the low-level and mixed wastes generated at DOEs nuclear facilities nationwide. Access to the disposal facilities at these two sites has, however, been limited in three ways. First, DOE formerly directed most of its waste-generating sites to use one, but not both, of the two facilities. Second, some of DOEs waste-generating sites did not have access to either disposal facility because DOE stopped granting new access to the two facilities in 1990 pending the completion of an environmental review of its waste programs, which was recently completed. Third, neither the Hanford nor the Nevada facility currently disposes of mixed wastes generated at DOE sites in other states. Some waste-generating sites have been able to use a commercial disposal facility, but the only facility that is readily available can accept only wastes that are very lightly contaminated with radioactivity. With such limited access to disposal facilities, DOEs waste managers have had few opportunities to consider costs when making disposal decisions. On February 25, 2000, DOE adopted a new policy that will make the disposal facilities at the Nevada Test Site and the Hanford Site available to all of its wastegenerating sites, for both low-level and mixed wastes."
United States. Government Accountability Office
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FEMA Accountability Report - Fiscal Year 1999
"This Accountability Report provides an agency-wide financial statement for fiscal year 1999. Behind the numbers is a success story that impacts everyone in this country. Disasters know no boundaries. Everyone is at risk. With Project Impact, a motivated workforce, fiscal responsibility and the trust of this nation, FEMA is charting a course that will have sweeping benefits now and in the future."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
