Emergency preparedness is focus at symposium
More than 160 emergency preparedness stakeholders attended the fifth annual Public Health Preparedness Symposium at Delaware Technical Community College's Terry Campus in Dover. The Division of Public Health, Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Section planned the event for representatives of federal, state and local government and non-governmental organizations as a way to enhance communications between the agency and its stakeholders.
"DPH appreciates this opportunity to bring our partners together to have in-depth discussions about the state of emergency preparedness in Delaware," said Dr. Karyl Rattay, division director. "Constant communication is critical so that when faced with a public health emergency, everyone is confident in their role and how to work cooperatively with other agencies to save lives and prevent the spread of potential diseases."
Five plenary sessions with four breakout sessions covered topics including: Stop the bleeding, persons with access and functional needs, Delaware Overdose Survival Education, and the Delaware Medical Reserve Corps. Attendees also heard from Dr. Christina Herndon who assisted in the response to the Boston Marathon bombing and discussed her experiences. Herndon then participated in a panel discussion on the topic of mental health issues during and after disasters along with representatives from the Department of Health and Social Services Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, and Delaware State Police.
Health threats are constantly evolving. Real or potential threats to Delaware have included H1N1, Ebola, Zika, Avian influenza, MERS and whatever strains are circulating during the annual flu season, among others. Examples of DPH's planning and preparedness efforts in the last year include leading Ebola planning and response efforts, the creation of a Zika Action Team, joining DEMA and the Citizens Corps to roll out the refreshed PrepareDE.org website, spearheading the planning of a healthcare facility evacuation exercise at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes and drilling the Division's ability to mass vaccinate the community at two recent flu clinics.
Funding for the symposium came from the Centers for Disease Control Public Health Emergency Preparedness grant. For Delaware preparedness resources, go to www.preparede.org.
