DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness
June 2014 Newsletter

   
In This Issue...

Delvalle Institute Receives Grant to Deliver Statewide Training 
New Knowledge Base Topics
Upcoming Delivery of Pilot Course: Hospital-Based Decontamination-Operations

● Upcoming Courses Online Learning 

● Emergency Preparedness News, Updates, and Affiliated Trainings ● Partners 

DVIGrantDelValle Institute Receives Grant to Deliver Statewide Training
The DelValle Institute is pleased to announce the receipt of a grant to serve as the statewide Emergency Preparedness Education and Training Center, allowing us to expand our reach beyond the currently funded MDPH Emergency Preparedness regions 3, 4, and 5, while continuing our focus on the CDC/ASPR Public Health and Healthcare Preparedness Capabilities. Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition (HMCC) members throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are the primary audience for this new grant, including hospitals, public health, community health centers, EMS agencies, long-term care facilities, other healthcare entities and related disciplines. We are excited to begin working more formally with colleagues across the Commonwealth, by learning more about the particular needs and challenges in Regions 1 and 2, while continuing to deepen relationships in Regions 3, 4, and 5.
NewKBTopicNew Knowledge Base Topics
Two new topics have been added to the Knowledge Base, drawing upon on local and national best practices. The Mass Casualty Management topic reviews initial steps to assess and manage a mass casualty incident, focusing on Incident Command and emergency triage. The PPE for First Responders and First Receivers  topic provides first receivers and first responders a comprehensive review of the technical information allowing them to make informed decisions regarding the acquisition and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Check out these and other topics in the Knowledge Base today!
UpcomingdeliveryUpcoming Delivery of Pilot Course: Hospital-Based Decontamination - Operations
On May 13-14, 2014, the DelValle Institute delivered the pilot version of a new course, Hospital-Based Decontamination - Operations. Based on an extensive literature review and interviews with local hospital emergency managers, this course was developed to align with national best practices while meeting the specific needs of Massachusetts hospitals. Participants reviewed key decontamination principles, and performed decontamination of patients with functional needs, those with lifesaving interventions, pediatric patients, and service animals. In addition, a variety of techniques, including cold weather decontamination, were demonstrated. This course will be revised based on student and instructor feedback and a second pilot session will be offered in the Fall.

  

"Most courses stop just prior to actual decon. This was a great next step for oveall training."

"[Instructor] was consistent and entertaining with delivery. Great real world experience and applications."
 
"Great knowledge base and presentation skills. [Instructors']  field experience brought this training to life."
  
UpcomingCoursesUpcoming Courses 


   

 

Various Dates

 

  

 

 

 

  "Great communicator. Well-prepared, personable, explains things well." 

 

"Awesome and really detailed. I enjoyed it a lot!"

 

OnlineLearningOnline Learning  

Visit our Learning Center for more information on online learning opportunities:

Online Courses 

 

  

 

The DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness is the Education & Training branch of the Office of Public Health Preparedness. In conjunction with Boston EMS, a bureau of the Boston Public Health Commission, the DelValle Institute provides high-quality all-hazards training and exercises to develop and enhance capabilities-based preparedness. DelValle Institute is funded through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information regarding DelValle Institute funding, visit the Learning Center at https://delvalle.bphc.org/funding.

 

EPEmergency Preparedness News, Updates, and Affiliated Trainings

New Version of the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) Released

After undergoing a multi-year revision process with extensive national stakeholder input, a Fifth Edition of the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) has been released by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority. This edition has been expanded to meet the needs of all hospitals, regardless of their size, location or patient care capabilities. Updates include:
 
 

  • The addition of a Patient Family Assistance Branch under the Operations Section to address patient family needs during a response;

  • A new Employee Family Care Unit Leader added to the Support Branch within the Logistics Section to assist healthcare staff and clinicians by providing support for their families;

  • A new chapter addressing the implementation of HICS during off hours and for small and rural hospitals; and

  • Introduction of new, more practical tools for incident action planning.

 

Click here to access the HICS Fifth Edition.

 

 

New Method Discovered to Protect Against Chemical Weapons

Researchers at Oregon State University have shown that compounds called polyoxoniobates can degrade and decontaminate nerve agents such as the deadly sarin gas. The use of these compounds for decontamination has never before been demonstrated, and the discovery could have important implications for military and civilian protection, including hospital response operations. Poloxoniobates also have other characteristics that may make them ideal for protective suits, masks or other clothing. These findings were recently published in the European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, and reported in the Domestic Preparedness Journal.

 

PartnersPartners

The Institute has great partners in emergency preparedness trainings for public health and healthcare providers in Massachusetts, including: 

 

 
DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness
Boston Emergency Medical Services
785 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: (617) 343-1370 Fax: (617) 343-1121
To save this email to your desktop as a PDF, click  here.

The DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness is the Education & Training branch of the Office of Public Health Preparedness. In conjunction with Boston EMS, a bureau of the Boston Public Health Commission, the DelValle Institute provides high-quality all-hazards training and exercises to develop and enhance capabilities-based preparedness. DelValle Institute is funded through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information regarding DelValle Institute funding, visit the Learning Center at https://delvalle.bphc.org.

 

 

EMC BPHC Logos Formatted