Authors
Kitt-MM; Decker-JA; Delaney-L; Funk-R; Halpin-J; Tepper-A; Spahr-J; Howard-J
Source
J Occup Environ Med 2011 Jul; 53(7):711-715
Abstract
Every disaster and emergency response is characterized by a series of unanticipated challenges that present themselves through an initially limited but evolving knowledge base. The unique qualities of a particular response can be difficult or impossible to ascertain in advance. Nonetheless, certain basic tenets can be applied to provide a framework for a successful response. Ensuring plans contain sufficient flexibility and developing generic tools in advance of a disaster are two key planning functions that serve to streamline the response and prevent missteps. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and its partners, and stakeholders strive to improve strategies following each response to incorporate newknowledge into planning for the next response. The DWH response contributed greatly to the occupational safety and health community’s body of knowledge and provides critical insight to both future response events and our every day obligation to protect the nation’s workers.
Keywords
Emergency-response; Emergency-responders; Disaster-planning; Monitoring-systems; Surveillance-programs
Contact
Margaret Kitt, MD, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Mail Stop E-20, Atlanta, GA 30333
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
mkitt@cdc.gov
Source Name
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine