News and Articles

Including People with Disabilities in the Incident Command System

Alice Frame, MA - MDHHS Disabilities Health Unit Coordinator

Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized response structure that allows multiple agencies and groups to plan for and respond to emergencies together, by creating a common operating protocol. The ICS structure was first developed for the fire service and has since grown to use in many disciplines including public health and hospital preparedness.  

Including People with Disabilities in the Incident Command System>>

Training & Events

Continuing Advances in Special Pathogen Response

East Lansing, MI

This conference will integrate Special Pathogen Response into emergency preparedness post SPRN funding. It will provide an opportunity to discuss lessons learned from the 2014 and 2018 Ebola outbreaks. The conference will seek to examine via a workshop level of preparedness among Michigan Ebola Treatment Centers. First responders will demostrate best practices in personal protective equipment.  The conference will take place on September 9, 2019.

To register:

MI-TRAIN Course ID: 1084417

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Trainings

The FBI is holding two different training courses: State and Local Anti-Terrorism training (STALO) with a focus on biological and chemical threats and a chemical awareness (CIOW) class. These trainings are intended for law enforcement, fire service, emergency management, education, health and private industry response personnel. Anyone with an interest in the threats posed by WMD materials. The classes will be held on the following dates:

1. STALO Negaunee 07/23/2019
2. STALO Belmont 07/25/2019
3. CIOW Battle Creek 08/14/2019

To register for a session please contact WMDC/SABT Mark Davidson: medavidson@fbi.gov or 586-530-5206. See the attached flyers for more information.

The Michigan Update

Pediatric Patients: Bridging the Readiness Gap – Increasing Pediatric Disaster Preparedness in Michigan

Kerry Chamberlain, PhD, MPH - Outreach, Evaluation and Exercise Liaison - Bureau of EMS, Trauma and Preparedness

On June 18, 2019, the Bureau of EMS, Trauma and Preparedness (BETP) held a conference regarding pediatric patient readiness.  Approximately 25% of the United State population and just over 21% of the population in Michigan is under 18 years old.  While improvements have been made since the beginning of public health preparedness program in the US, there is still more that needs to be done for pediatric patient preparedness.  Pediatric patients require special care during emergencies. Needs can vary widely whether the child is an infant or a teenager.  Children are different from adults in terms of their physiology and emotional and developmental understanding.  Another layer of need is their dependence on others.  Compounding the issue of dependence on others is if a child is separated from their family and caregivers during an emergency.  These needs make children more vulnerable in disasters which means public health and healthcare partners need to be ready. 

Pediatric Patients: Bridging the Readiness Gap – Increasing Pediatric Disaster Preparedness in Michigan>>

Research

Estimating Undetected Ebola Spillovers

Emerging infectious diseases are often not investigated in rural Africa unless outbreaks involve a sizeable number of cases. A number of different Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks have been reported in the literature and in surveillance reports since its discovery in 1976. The majority of the reports are of large outbreaks. Given the low reported rate of transmission of Ebola, and the high frequency with which cases infect no one else, one might expect most outbreaks to be very small (<5 people). This study quantitatively estimates the number of undetected EVD outbreaks or probabilities of EVD outbreak detection by outbreak size. The researchers found that at least half of EVD outbreaks go undetected.  The researchers suggest greater investment in primary health care and local surveillance will be important to detect EVD outbreaks early and consistently.

Estimating Undetected Ebola Spillovers>>

Tools & Resources

Infographic: What Changes with Michigan's 2018
Lead and Copper Rule?

Prior to the adoption of the new Michigan Lead and Copper Rule in June 2018, Michigan’s
requirements were consistent with the federal Lead and
Copper Rule. The new Michigan rule includes targeted changes that are detailed in this infographic.

For more detailed information on the new Michigan Lead and Copper Rule, visit the the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Website.