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| Updates for Massachusetts Top |
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DPU Orders Investigation into Storm Response 
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON - Nov 8 - A state senator from western Massachusetts on Tuesday called communication between utility companies and consumers in the aftermath of the recent nor'easter a "disgrace," while Attorney General Martha Coakley urged utility regulators go further in their investigation of the power companies than in past probes.
The Department of Public Utilities issued an order Tuesday opening an investigation into the storm preparation of National Grid, NSTAR and Western Massachusetts Electric Company following the Oct. 29 storm. National Grid and NSTAR are already subject of an ongoing DPU investigation into their response to Tropical Storm Irene.
To read the full article click here. |
Strategic National Stockpile (SNS): What it Means to You
CDC - Nov 7 - CDC's Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) has large quantities of medicine and medical supplies to protect the American public if there is a public health emergency (terrorist attack, flu outbreak, earthquake) severe enough to cause local supplies to run out. Once Federal and local authorities agree that the SNS is needed, medicines will be delivered to any state in the U.S. in time for them to be effective. Each state has plans to receive and distribute SNS medicine and medical supplies to local communities as quickly as possible. For more information click here.
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National Security/Readiness: Nationwide Test
Center for Emergency Preparedness & National Response - Nov 22 - A Nov. 9 nationwide test of the emergency alert system (EAS) went less than perfectly, according to reports from across the country.The test, meant to last 30 seconds at precisely 2 p.m. EST and be conducted by all manner of public, cable, satellite and direct broadcasters,ran into snafus across the United States. In a statement attributed to Damon Penn, Federal Emergency Management Agency assistantadministrator of the national continuity programs directorate and Jamie Barnett, head of the Federal Communications Commission's public safety and homeland security bureau, federal officials downplayed the glitches."Based on preliminary data, media outlets in large portions of the country successfully received the test message, but it wasn't received by some viewers or listeners," Penn and Barnett said. The test, they said, served its purpose, which was "to identify gaps and generate a comprehensive set of data." For additional information, please click here.
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Agency Outlines Progress in Adapting to Extreme Weather Risks From Climate Change
HS Today- Nov 04 -The Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force this week outlined federal progress toward the Obama administration's strategic goals of adaptation to the risks posed by climate change in a report titled Federal Actions for a Climate Resilient Nation. "Extreme weather and other climate change impacts pose significant social, economic, and environmental risks to the United States," the report declared. "The US Government has a responsibility to reduce climate risks to public health and safety, economic well-being, natural resources, and Federal programs and services. While much work remains, this report describes important Federal progress toward the Task Force's strategic vision of a resilient, healthy, and prosperous Nation in the face of a changing climate." To read more, please click here.
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| Public Health Advisories Top |
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USDA CONSUMER ALERT: Keeping Food Safe During An Emergency
USDA - Nov 2 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture is issuing recommendations to help minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses in the wake of heavy snowstorms in the Northeast. USDA is hopeful that this information will help minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses due to power outages and other problems that are often associated with severe weather events. For more information click here.
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Clinical Guidance for Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning After a Disaster
CDC - Nov 7 - Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that can cause sudden illness and death if present in sufficient concentration in the ambient air. When power outages occur during emergencies such as hurricanes or winter storms, the use of alternative sources of fuel or electricity for heating, cooling, or cooking can cause CO to build up in a home, garage, or camper and poison the people and animals inside. Generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, or camper - or even outside near an open window or window air conditioner. To read more on the clinical guidelines click here.
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Flu Update for Massachusettsby Donna Lazorik, MDPH
National Influenza Vaccination Week 2011- National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a national observance that was established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2005 to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination-as well as fostering greater use of flu vaccine-after the holiday season into January and beyond. For the 2011-2012 season, NIVW is scheduled for December 4-10 and this year's events will encourage everyone 6 months and older to "Get the flu vaccine, not the flu." NIVW provides an opportunity for public health professionals, health care professionals, health advocates, communities, and families from across the country to work together to promote flu vaccination. We know that many partners across the United States have plans to participate in NIVW, and the success of NIVW relies upon the involvement of partners at all levels. To read more on some of the activities that CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have planned click here. American College of Physicians Guide to Adult Immunization - ManualThe ultimate FREE physician resource of every adult vaccine and its indications! Produced by faculty of ACP's Quality Improvement Programs and members of the ACP Adult Immunization Advisory Board, the ACP Guide to Adult Immunization will help you develop systematic processes for incorporating immunization. The FREE Guide is divided into four sections:
- Section 1: Quality Improvement Principles in Immunization
- Section 2: Resources for Practical Application
- Section 3: Recommended Adult Vaccines and Their Indications
- Section 4: Special Populations (Pregnant Women, Immunocompromised, etc.)
You can download individual sections from the ACP Immunization Portal. Ordering Information: To order a FREE print copy by phone or mail, please click here and visit the order page. Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Resources for Health Professionals - CDC This year's recommendations are issued in a shortened format because there are relatively few changes from the 2010-2011 recommendations. To see these recommendations visit: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/ Seasonal Flu Materials for Refugees - Four seasonal flu documents were developed as a result of focus groups and educational sessions conducted with refugees in their native languages. The materials are designed to improve knowledge of seasonal flu in refugee populations; thus they are written in the native languages of refugee populations commonly resettled in the United States. All four documents are tailored for low literacy populations by using minimal text and using visual cues to portray seasonal flu information. Click here to access these resources. MDPH at http://www.mass.gov/flu
Boston Public Health Commission at http://www.bphc.org/flu
CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/flu
WHO at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
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CDC New Antibiotic Tracking System
CDC - The CDC is launching a new antibiotic tracking system allowing hospitals to monitor antibiotic use electronically, make better decisions about how to improve use, and compare themselves to other hospitals. Before now, CDC was only able to track antibiotic use in doctors' offices.
Click here for more information.
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Presidential Policy Directive 8
PPD-8 - Oct 31 - The US Department of Homeland Security just released National Preparedness (PPD-8) which describes the Nation's approach to preparing for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the security of the United States. National preparedness is the shared responsibility of our whole community. Every member contributes, including individuals, communities, the private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based organizations, and Federal, state, and local1 governments. We describe our security and resilience posture through the core capabilities that are necessary to deal with great risks, and we will use an integrated, layered, and all-of-Nation approach as our foundation. Click here to access an online copy of this report.
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| Training and Education Top |
Disaster Behavioral Health Trainings
Boston University Medical Center contracted with MDPH in the Haiti SERG Initiative to continue efforts to address the mental health needs of those affected by the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti. Through this collaboration, BU Medical Center is providing a series of emergency response trainings to the nine health centers contracted in this project. BU Medical Center has offered to open up these trainings to all health center staff that might be interested in attending. Trainings will take place on a monthly basis up until March/April. Please see details on the scheduled trainings for November and December.
Fundamentals Training Components: Phases of Disaster Psychological First Aid Self Care Dates: Dec 9; 9:00AM - 12:00 PM - Follow up Training of PFA 202 Location: Boston Medical Center, 85 East Newton Street, Boston MA 02118 Audience: Grant contracted Health Center Staff, Alternate Health Center Staff, & Community Partners
Please RSVP the number of attendees from your site to Shamaila Khan, PhD (Email) Shamaila.khan@bmc.org (Ph) 617-414-2025
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Boston EMS & Grant Writing USA: Two Day Grant Course
Boston Emergency Medical Services and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grants workshop in Boston, January 30-31, 2012. This training is for grant seekers across all disciplines. Attend this class and you'll learn how to find grants and write winning grant proposals.
Beginning and experienced grant writers from city, county and state agencies as well as nonprofits, K-12, colleges and universities are encouraged to attend. Multi-enrollment discounts and discounts for Grant Writing USA returning alumni are available. Tuition payment is not required at the time of enrollment. Tuition is $425 and includes all materials: workbook and accompanying 420MB resource CD that's packed full of tools and more than 200 sample grant proposals. Seating is limited, online reservations are necessary.
Complete event details including learning objectives, class location, graduate testimonials and online registration are available here.
Contacts:
The Client Services Team
at Grant Writing USA
800.814.8191
cs@grantwritingusa.com
Laura Williams, Chief of Staff
Boston Emergency Medical Services
617.343.2367
williams_la@bostonems.org
More than 10,000 agencies across North America have turned to Grant Writing USA for grant writing and grant management training.
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2012 Emergency Preparedness Conference
The Joint Commission Resources (JCR) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in collaboration with the Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response, invites interested participants to submit poster abstract presentations for exhibit at the 8th Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference held on April 11-12, 2011 in Arlington, VA. Poster abstract presentations may be submitted via email at center@ynhh.org with the subject line "Poster Abstract Submissions" no later than 5 PM EST December 16, 2011. Notification of acceptance of poster abstract presentations will be made via email by January 31, 2012. Abstract submissions should: a) Describe an innovative approach or solution to an emergency management challenge that your organization has faced; b) Relate to the Joint commission Emergency Management standard(s) or c) Relate to one of the Joint Commission's critical elements. For more information, please click here.
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Upcoming Courses/Events by DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness
The DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness offers the following training opportunities for a wide spectrum of providers:
- All Hazards Disaster Response and Protection for Healthcare Workers - Operations - Dec 5-7 2011 at the DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness, 35 Northampton Street, Boston; *current waitlist
- Strengthening Psychological First Aid: Learning from the Haitian and Japanese Earthquakes - Dec 5 2011 at the DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness, 35 Northampton Street, Boston
- Shelter Operations - Dec 6 2011
- Core Disaster Life Support - Dec 13 2011 at the Peabody Municipal Light Plant, 201 Warren Street Ext. Peabody
- Applying the Incident Command System (ICS) to Your Healthcare Emergency Response - Jan 17 2012 at the Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital, 680 Centre Street, Assembly Room, Brockton
- BMRC Promoting Resiliency in an Emergency: Psychological First Aid - Jan 26 2012
- BMRC Leadership Under Pressure - Jan 31 2012
- BMRC Orientation - Feb 7 2012
- BMRC Managing a Mass Dispensing Clinic - Feb 16 2012
- Medical Management of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) Events - Feb 27-28; Mar 1-2; Mar 6-7
The DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness offers an array of courses which can be accessed by clicking here. The Institute also offers advanced courses for registered Boston Medical Response Corps volunteers. To join the BMRC, please attend any of the Orientation courses or visit www.bostonmrc.org.
Please contact delvalle@bostonems.org for more information.
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Incident Command System and other MEMA Courses
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is offering multiple opportunities to attend ICS 200, 300 and 400 courses. Visit their website to register and click on the MEMA Calendar (if this link does not work, please email MEMA.Training@state.ma.us to inquire about these trainings). - HSEEP - Dec 14 *Homeland Security Exercise & Evaluation Program
- ICS 300 - Dec 14 at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, 2nd fl
- HSEEP - Dec 15 *Homeland Security Exercise & Evaluation Program
- ICS 200 - Dec 15 at MEMA Region 3/4 Training Room
- ICS 300 - Dec 15 at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, 2nd fl
- ICS 200 - Dec 16 at MEMA Region 3/4 Training Room
- ICS 300 - Dec 16 at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, 2nd fl
- ICS 400 - Dec 19 at Southborough Fire Department
- ICS 400 - Dec 20 at Southborough Fire Department
Visit their website at http://mematraining.chs.state.ma.us/TRS/ for more details.
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Incident Command System 300/400 for Health Care
The Rhode Island Department of Public Health is pleased to announce that the two courses for ICS 300 / 400 for healthcare are now available.
ICS 400 - Advanced Incident Command System Dec 13-14 at Butler Hospital, 345 Blackstone Blvd, Providence, RI, 02879
Dates: Tuesday & Wednesday, December 13-14, 2011
Location: Butler Hospital, 345 Blackstone Blvd, Providence, RI, 02879
Times: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
This two-day program expands on much of the material covered in the ICS 100, 200 and 300 courses. The course emphasizes large-scale organization development; roles and relationships of the primary staff; the planning, operational, logistical and fiscal considerations related to large and complex incidents and event management. The course will include several scenario based group exercises with emphasis on developing a Command and General Staff organization, an Incident Action Plan, a Unified Command and an Area Command Organization. There will also be a final exam.
Prerequisites: IS 100, IS 200, and ICS 300. CERTIFICATES MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH
REGISTRATION FORM. IS 100 and IS 200 can be accessed online:
http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp
Target Audience: Senior personnel who will function in multi-agency or multi-jurisdictional
incidents, and personnel who will function in management roles in large, complex incidents and/or
within an Area Command.
Cost: All training and course materials are free.
Registration: Students must complete the following Registration Form.
Lunch: Lunch will not be provided, but there is a cafeteria located in the building.
Visit their website at http://mematraining.chs.state.ma.us/TRS/ for more details.
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CEEPET Upcoming Courses
Upcoming courses being offered at The Center of Excellence for Emergency Preparedness Education and Training(CEEPET) / UMass Medical School for Western and Central Massachusetts: Continuing education credits are available: CEUs are available for nursing, OEMS cont. ed credits are available for EMS personnel. Click here for the course brochure. For more information and to register click here.
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The League would like to welcome Ryan Toffey as the new Senior Accountant in the Boston Office of Capital Link. A big welcome to Maria Coppenrath, the new CFO of Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center.
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Dec 5 - Caring Health Center's First Annual Gala Special
Dec 9 - BUMC Disaster Behavioral Health Training Dec 13 - Health Disparities Forum Dec 14 - Human Resources Directors Meeting Dec 15 - Mass League Executive Board Meeting & Full Board Meeting Dec 15 - Mass League Holiday Open House Dec 27 - Boston Conference of CHCs Meeting Jan 9 - QI Coordinators Forum Jan 11 - UDS Training Jan 19 - Mass LeagueExecutive Board Meeting Jan 25-29 - Mass Dental Society Yankee Dental Conference For more details and other health center events, visit http://www.massleague.org/Calendar/Calendar.php.
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| If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you.
Tina Wright, Project Coordinator - EM & PI
Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
40 Court Street, 10th Floor, Boston, MA 02108
617-426-2225 ext. 231
twright@massleague.org
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