New York State Department of Health Extreme Weather

* New York State Department of Health Extreme Weather Planning & Response Bryon Backenson New York State Department of Health

* § 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 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)

* § 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 H 1 N 1 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

* *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

* *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

§ 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 *

* § § 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

* § § 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 • § § Relay of electronic laboratory reports with power compromised Implement novel surveillance mechanisms earlier than anticipated • • § Hospitals, commercial labs, residents, etc. 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

* § 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

* § 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-Gan H. 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

* For More Information Please Contact: Office of Heath Emergency Preparedness 518. 474. 2893