Welcome to Johnson County Public Health - Emergency Preparedness - Resources


Information



Public Health Banner
Emergency Preparedness:
Resources

For the General Public
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Emergency Preparedness and Response http://www.bt.cdc.gov/
• Facts on Specific Infectious Agents:
    - Anthrax: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/anthrax_g.htm
    - Influenza: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
    - Plague: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/index.htm
    - Smallpox fact sheet: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/overview/disease-facts.asp
    - SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome): http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/basics.htm
    - Tularemia: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/tularemia/index.asp

The Red Cross
• Preparedness Today: What you need to know http://www.redcross.org/preparedness/cdc_english/CDC.asp

Homeland Security
• Preparing Makes Sense. Get Ready Now http://www.ready.gov

United States Postal Service
Suspicious Mail: http://www.usps.com/communications/news/security/suspiciousmail.htm
• Who should I call if I receive a suspicious letter or package? Your local police department.
• Steps to be taken in response to a ‘suspicious’ letter or package (IDPH, November 7, 2001):
- Immediately set suspected package/container down, do not handle it more than necessary. Minimize number of persons handling the package/container.
- Secure the room or area. Avoid spreading possible contamination to other locations.
- Move everyone in the immediate area of the suspect package/container/substance to the nearest secure room.
- At a minimum, have individual(s) wash possible exposed area(s) with warm water and soap at nearest sink.
- For more extensive possible exposure, have individual remove clothing, place in clear plastic bag, seal bag, and shower at nearest location.
- Notify local law enforcement immediately, if not already present.
- Obtain further direction from local law enforcement.

University Hygienic Laboratory http://www.uhl.uiowa.edu/
• If you encounter suspect substances like strange powders and foreign liquids, contact your local law enforcement office and the University Hygienic Laboratory at 335-4500 or 1-800-421-4692.

For Health Care Providers
Bullet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    • Emergency Preparedness and Response http://www.bt.cdc.gov/
    • Bioterrorism Agents http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/agentlist.asp

Bullet Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
    • Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness http://www.hrsa.gov/bioterrorism/

For Businesses
It is important for businesses to have comprehensive emergency plans to protect their employees and their customers, in addition to the survival of business operations. The following guidelines will assist in your planning process.
• Develop a comprehensive emergency plan for your business.
• Work closely with your local law enforcement, fire, emergency medical service, and emergency management office as you develop your plan.
• Develop an evacuation plan.
• Conduct training classes so all employees understand how to carry out your emergency plan.
• Practice your emergency plan at least twice a year, and correct any part of the plan that demonstrates there’s a deficiency during the practice or drill.
• Keep an accurate list of all employees, their phone numbers and their emergency contact numbers.
• Back up computer data on a regular basis. Consider file storage off-site to facilitate recovery.
• Include a recovery plan as part of your emergency plan. Before the disaster, identify what types of losses your business could potentially sustain.
• Identify an alternate site for your business operation. Know ahead of time places that would adequately facilitate continuation of your business.
• Develop an emergency contact list of suppliers, insurance agents, and other individuals and organizations you might need to notify in the event of a disaster.
• Make certain your business has adequate insurance to cover losses.
• Maintain a current list of company equipment and resources, including model and serial numbers, along with the purchase price and vendor.
• If you have a home-operated business, don’t assume your homeowner’s insurance will cover your business. Check with your insurance agent before disaster strikes.
The following links provide information and resources for business preparedness:

Small to Medium Business Resources: bullet
BulletHomeland Security
• Ready Business http://www.ready.gov/business/index.html
• Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/bizindst.pdf

BulletCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
• Emergency Preparedness for Businesses http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/prepared/

BulletAmerican Red Cross
• Preparing Your Business for the Unthinkable http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_606_,00.html

Large Business Resources: bullet
BulletNational Fire Prevention Association
• NFPA Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs 2004 Edition: http://www.nfpa.org/PDF/nfpa1600.pdf?src=nfpa
BulletBusiness Executives for National Security
• Company Primer on Preparedness and Response Planning: http://www.bens.org/images/GettingReady_042304.pdf
BulletNational Business Group on Health
• An Employer Toolkit: Terrorism Preparedness and Planning: A Public/Private Partnership http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/prevention/et_terrorismpreparedness.cfm
• Additional Resources: http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/prevention/bio_resources.cfm
• Tools and Solutions: http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/prevention/tools.cfm
Important Phone Numbers
Bullet To report suspicious packages or substances, call your local law enforcement agency at: 911.

Bullet To report a disease of suspected bioterrorism origin, call the Iowa Department of Public Health: 1-800-362-2736.

Bullet To volunteer at the Johnson County Public Health, call: 319-356-6040.

Bullet For questions regarding laboratory services, call the University Hygienic Laboratory at 319-335-4500.

Other Resources
Bullet American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/

Bullet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov

Bullet Iowa Department of Public Health
   •  http://www.idph.state.ia.us/
   •  Bioterrorism site http://www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/biological_chemical.asp

Bullet Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) http://www.fema.gov/
   •  Community Emergency Response Team Program http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/CERT/

Bullet U.S. Department of Health and Human Services http://hhs.gov/

Bullet U.S. Department of Homeland Security http://www.ready.gov/