Preparing for Public Health Emergencies
Whether the cause is terrorism, infectious disease, or a natural disaster, public health emergencies challenge our entire health care and public health systems. Because the public looks to physicians for help and information about all aspects of health care, it's critical to consider the potential roles in a public health emergency and prepare to fulfill those expectations.
The Society encourages physicians to participate in educational programs on public health emergencies and become familiar with local plans. The following resources provide contacts for information as well as sources for faculty and programs. Please take advantage of these resources today to help prepare for tomorrow’s emergencies.
Potential sources for faculty/programs
- University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, Center for Public Health Preparedness (UPCPHP) provides frontline public health and health care workers with access to national and local preparedness and response information and public health competency-based training resources.
Forbes Allies Center
3109 Forbes Avenue, Suite 210
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: (412) 383-2400
- Thomas Jefferson Hospital, Center for Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness offers Web-based training and resources through its Recognition to Recovery continuing education program. The center also can tailor an emergency preparedness course to meet the requirements of your staff and facility. The free courses range from one hour lecture presentations to complete half- and full-day programs and award continuing education credits. Contact the center to set up a training event at your location.
111 South 11th Street, Suite 8330 Gibbon
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 955-1777
- Linda J. Kanzleiter, D.Ed., M.Ps.Sc., Assistant Professor
Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine
Associate Project Director, Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program
500 University Drive, G210
PO Box 850
Hershey, PA 17033-0850
Phone: (717) 531-4327
Fax: (717) 531-3696
email: ljk6@psu.edu
- Esther Chernak, MD, MPH
Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Division of Disease Control
500 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
Phone: (215) 685-6741
Fax: (215) 545-8362
email: esther.chernak@phila.gov
- Samuel Stebbins, MD, MPH
Principal Investigator and Director, University of Pittsburgh Center for Public Health Preparedness
Phone: (412) 383-2400
email: stebbinss@edc.pitt.edu or stebbins@pitt.edu
- University of Albany School of Public Health, Center for Public Health Preparedness, offers a free, Web-based CME course on preparedness and community response to pandemics.
One University Place
Rensselaer, NY 12144-3456
Phone: (518) 486-7921
Internet and distance learning
- Pennsylvania Department of Health Learning Management System (LMS) allows users to access and complete online training programs, earn continuing professional accreditation, track progress and share information on public health issues. Resources and courses include some of the following topics:
- Bioterrorism; weapons of mass destruction
- Influenza; smallpox
- Hospital preparedness
- Response and recovery
- National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Emergency Preparedness & Response, Training and Education lists new and upcoming self-study training programs and modules, video Webcasts, and other learning opportunities. The Public Health Training Network (PHTN) is the CDC's distance learning network that uses a variety of instructional media to meet the information, training, and learning needs of health practitioners nationwide.
- Alabama Public Health Training Network offers "On Demand Webcasts" on emergency preparedness.
- South Central Center for Public Health Preparedness uses the bioterrorism and emergency readiness competencies established by the CDC and Columbia University to train public health practitioners and first responders to prepare for public health threats and emergencies, including terrorist attacks.
- Blue Book, Sixth Edition: Medical Management of Biological Casualties Handbook is a comprehensive publication from the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) that includes the history of biological warfare and current threat, how to distinguish between natural and intentional disease outbreaks, emerging infections and future biological weapons, and detailed sections on bacterial agents, viral agents, and biological toxins. USAMRIID also offers several CME accredited satellite courses and Web-based Homeland Security and Readiness Training.
Additional Web resources
- Pennsylvania Department of Health—Emergency Preparedness and Bioterrorism Response Program lists news, training opportunities, and fact sheets on potential bioterrorist agents and various communicable diseases.
- PA Health Alert Network (PA-HAN) serves as a communication network among state and local public health agencies, health care providers, hospitals, and emergency management officials.
- Philadelphia Emergency Preparedness and Response is a resource to teach those living, working, or visiting Philadelphia on how the city will respond to threats of terrorism, chemical and biological emergencies, fires, and other disasters.
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Last Updated: 8/14/2008