Emergency Public Information

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Emergency Public Information

• Emily Palmer
• Assistant Press Officer
• Texas Department of State Health Services
• January 28, 2009

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• There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule
  is already full.
• Henry Kissinger

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The Risk of Disasters is Increasing

• Increased terrorism
• Population density
• Aging U.S. population
• International travel
• Emerging diseases

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Work Plans
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Target Capability 6B

• Measure Time to issue critical health message to
  the public about an event that may be of urgent
  public health consequences.

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Critical Task 1

• Revise and expand local Crisis and Emergency Risk
  Communication (CERC) Guidelines

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CERC

• NIMS ICS
• Agency media policy
• Public information dissemination
• Disaster mental health

• Translations
• Special populations
• Agency Web site
• Work with partners and stakeholders

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Requirements

• Submit CERC as part of Quarter 2 Report
• Send by Feb. 28 to
• emily.palmer_at_dshs.state.tx.us

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Critical Task 2

• Update annually as needed plan to have access to
  and use public information line(s)

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Public Information Lines

• Local hot lines
• 2-1-1

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Emergency Public Information

• Part of many of the Critical Tasks
• Needs support throughout each agency

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Coordinating Public Information

• Health and medical planning
• All-hazards planning
• Events of urgent public health consequences
• ICS training
• SNS/Chempack
• Mass care
• Partners and stakeholders

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Emergency Public Information Resources
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Public Information Resources

• Public
• Health
• Preparedness
• Web site

www.dshs.state.tx.us/preparedness/default.shtm
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Public Information Resources

• Ready
• Or
• Not?
• HAVE
• A PLAN

www.TexasPrepares.org
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Public Information Resources

• Fact sheets
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Templates
• Material in multiple languages
• Password-protected Web site

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Public InformationResources

• Tool Kits
• Workshops

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• Emily Palmer, Assistant Press Officer
• Texas Department of State Health Services
• 512-458-7111, ext. 2213
• 512-458-7400
• emily.palmer_at_dshs.state.tx.us