Recently, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security redefined disasters into 4 types: natural hazards, societal hazards, technologic hazards, and terrorism. The incidence of manmade and natural disasters is on the rise in intensity and frequency globally. Recent events such as tornadoes and hurricanes in the southeastern U.S., tsunamis in Japan, earthquakes in Haiti, wild fires, heat waves, and terrorist attacks like that of September 11, 2001, underscore the urgency of developing and maintaining solid local public health disaster response plans to minimize mortality and morbidity.
The 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the largest in history, hurricane Katrina, and the lingering impact of hurricane Sandy on the East Coast further raise concerns about our communities’ ability to handle disasters, especially in the early hours after events, when federally coordinated help is being organized and not yet fully available locally or from other nations. 1 The recent fertilizer plant explosion in West Texas, the 2013 Boston marathon bombing, and the Newtown, Connecticut, massacre remind us of the unpredictable nature of both manmade and natural disasters.
Coordinated Response
Regardless of its origin, residents expect a coordinated local response during an emergency, and it is important that government agencies meet this expectation. Fulfilling these expectations, however, takes many partners, and it is important to have a clear idea of who is involved in emergency preparedness (EP) and the response of each partner’s role.
Role of Government
Federal, state, and local governments have a critical role in emergency management (EM). When state government, local government, or an individual entity is overwhelmed with a disaster, the role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is to provide assistance and resources to cope with the emergency. 2 Private industry and traditional disaster relief agencies, such as the American Red Cross and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, are also involved in response efforts. Recent examples have shown that these partnerships are often overwhelmed with the needs of large regions experiencing limited resources. Therefore, hospitals and local public health departments frequently must carry much of the immediate burden of stabilizing communities and coordinating response with government agencies and local partners. 3
Role of Public Health and the CDC
Federal agencies and local public health departments have been given critical roles in planning and responding to disasters. In particular, the PHS focuses on population care and shapes how public health entities should respond to mass casualty events and pandemics, including local response coordination. The CDC is primarily responsible for assisting state and local governments with disaster response and recovery after a large-scale public health emergency. 3 The CDC works closely with local public health departments in decision making; tracking the source, spread, and severity of health threats; assessing impacts; educating the public on how to safeguard their health; and implementing measures to protect the public. During a large-scale health emergency, the CDC also maintains and provides resources through the maintenance and distribution of the nation’s Strategic National Stockpile of medications and supplies that may be needed during events such as the recent 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak or other public health emergencies. 3