InfoGram 33-09: August 20, 2009

This InfoGram will be distributed weekly to provide members of the Emergency Services Sector with information concerning the protection of their critical infrastructures. For further information, contact the Emergency Management and Response - Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) at (301) 447-1325 or by email at emr-isac@fema.dhs.gov.

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Upcoming Influenza Season

On 19 August, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a Press Release announcing new guidance for organizations to plan for and respond to the upcoming flu season. The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) reviewed the comprehensive guidance document, which contains preparedness information and actions applicable to Emergency Services Sector departments and agencies interested in maintaining continuity and resiliency throughout the 2009-2010 flu season. The guidance includes strategies to use if flu conditions become more severe and also proposals for when an ill employee can return to work.

Released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the guidance should help leaders and employers to prepare now for the impact that seasonal and 2009 H1N1 could have this fall and winter on their subordinate personnel and operations. The CDC recommends that plans should address such points as encouraging employees with flu-like symptoms or illness to stay home, operating with reduced staffing, and having employees work from home who are at high risk of serious medical complications from infection.

The CDC does not know whether the 2009 H1NI influenza virus will cause more illness or more severe illness in the coming months, but suggests that everyone be prepared for the flu. Because of the serious health threat, the CDC further recommends that organizations work with their personnel to develop and implement plans that can reduce the spread of flu, and encourage seasonal flu and H1N1vaccinations when the vaccines become available.

DHS Secretary Napolitano stated that this new guidance will help the public and private sectors prepare for the upcoming influenza season in order to “keep our economy functioning and our critical infrastructure secure.” The EMR-ISAC offers the following websites for additional information: www.flu.gov and http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm. Information specific to the emergency services will be discussed in a future InfoGram as soon as available.

ERGs for Hybrid Vehicles

Responder-specific guidelines for hybrid vehicles are usually in the form of Emergency Response Guides (ERGs). The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned that ERGs provide an invaluable resource about a particular hybrid model vehicle. An ERG can be used by any emergency responder as a rescue resource tool on site, but that is not their primary purpose. They were developed to be utilized prior to an incident. The intended target audience is the company officer, training officer, or extrication instructor who may be presenting a company awareness program for hybrid safety. ERGs can be seen at the Hybrid Manufacturer’s Emergency Responders Website.

On a related matter, the EMR-ISAC confirmed in an Associated Press article that the General Motors Corporation (GMC) will soon begin manufacturing its Chevrolet Volt electric car that could get 230 mpg in city driving. Although most automakers are working on similar designs, the Volt will be the first mainstream plug-in vehicle powered by systems other than the internal combustion engine. Its battery pack can be recharged from a standard home outlet.

Because the Volt is powered by an electric motor and a battery pack, GMC recommends that first responders become knowledgeable about how the Volt is different, what to look for at a traffic accident incident, and how to respond effectively. By the time this vehicle reaches showrooms next year, GMC should have responder-specific guidelines at its Website.

Stress Reduction

Responding to emergencies is both physically and mentally stressful. According to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) National Firefighter Health Week tip for 18 August, “Keep Your Head in the Game,” first responders are at a greater risk for such emotional and behavioral health concerns as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Considering this possibility, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) searched multiple websites for quality information on stress management for first responders.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) “Traumatic Incident Stress: Information for Emergency Response Workers” (PDF, 423 Kb) recognizes that strong emotions are normal reactions to an abnormal situation. Reactions of emergency responders may include physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral types. It provides simple stress reduction methods for first responders to do at home and on-site.

“A Guide for Emergency and Disaster Response Workers,” (PDF, 947 Kb) from the US Department of Health and Human Services, gives tips for managing and preventing stress. It states that stress prevention and management should be addressed in two critical contexts: organizational and individual. The Guide also indicates that by adopting a preventative perspective, both workers and organizations, can anticipate stressors and shape responses rather than simply reacting to crisis when it occurs.

According to the “Emergency Incident Rehabilitation,” (PDF, 6 Mb) by the United States Fire Administration (USFA), first responder duties and activities come with a heavy burden on their psychological well-being. Regular exposure to dangerous situations and potential for harm takes a toll on individuals and the combination of these factors can increase stress. Organizations can ensure that programs are in place to address and mitigate the psychological hazards of the job by implementing a comprehensive critical incident stress management (CISM) program. The following are the goals of a CISM program:

• Minimize the emotional impact of critical incidents on emergency responders.
• Increase resistance and resilience to this type of stress.
• Prevent harmful effects following critical incidents by working with response personnel at or near the time of such incidents.
• Prevent any chronic effects through the use of follow-up care and employee assistance programs.

The EMR-ISAC noted the USFA document stated that organizations must structure work and support mechanisms to enable personnel to minimize the toll of career stress on themselves and their families.

It also affirmed that reducing critical incident stress and its effects will benefit personnel, the department, municipality, and families.

Portable Generator Hazards

The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) has previously reported about the importance of generators for first responders during the aftermath of natural disasters and significant weather events. The experiences of Emergency Services Sector departments and agencies have demonstrated that portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed.

According to the “Portable Generator Safety” (PDF, 208 Kb) document of the United States Fire Administration (USFA), 228 carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning deaths were associated with portable generators from 1990 to 2003. The number of reported CO poisoning deaths doubled between 2001 and 2003. These statistics verify that generators can be hazardous if they are not properly used and maintained.

To prevent the loss of life and property resulting from improper use of portable generators, the EMR-ISAC provides the following tips from the USFA “Portable Generator Hazards” (PDF, 159 Kb) factsheet:

To Avoid Monoxide Hazards:

• Use generators outdoors and away from windows, doors, and vents.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
• Install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms indoors.

To Avoid Electrical Hazards:

• Keep the generator dry by operating on a dry surface under an open, canopy-like structure.
• Touch the generator only with dry hands.
• Plug appliances directly into generator or use a heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cord.
• Connect generator to building wiring only by a qualified electrician or utility company.
• Prevent plugging a generator into a wall outlet, which may cause an electrocution risk to utility workers and others.

To Avoid Fire Hazards:

• Turn off generator and let it cool before refueling.
• Store fuel outside of main area in a properly labeled and non-glass container.
• Store fuel away from any fuel-burning appliance.

Before the next storm, check the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure the generator works properly. The USFA maintains that following these simple tips can increase survival rates dramatically.