In this update:

• Local Risk Assessment Data Element (RADE) Tool
• AWR-232 Mass Fatality Planning and Response for Rural Communities
• LHD Contact Information
• Respiratory Fit Testing Requirements
• Happy Holidays!

Upcoming events:

December 

24-25 | Christmas holidays – State of Michigan offices closed
29 | Q2 contact information update due
31 | New Year’s Eve holiday – State of Michigan offices closed

January 

01 | New Year’s Day – State of Michigan offices closed
09 | Monthly PHEP Partners Meeting
10 | RADE report due
31 | Mid-year progress report due

Local Risk Assessment Data Element (RADE) Tool

The Qualtrics link for the local RADE data collection tool is live. The tool must be completed by close of business Friday, January 10, 2025.
The easiest approach is to work through the Word version of the tool that your point of contact sent earlier this week, and then once complete, enter your responses into the Qualtrics survey. Each question requires a response before you can move on to the next question, however you are able to move back and forth through the questions to adjust responses, if needed.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your POC, or contact Katie Dunkle-Reynolds.

AWR-232 Mass Fatality Planning and Response for Rural Communities

BEPESoC is hosting a free, 8-hour DHS/FEMA-certified training class designed to equip our communities with essential skills in mass fatality planning and response. This course is specifically tailored for rural and Tribal communities, ensuring that you and your team are prepared for any situation.

Class Name – AWR-232: Mass Fatalities Planning and Response for Rural Communities

Class Date – May 22, 2025

Class Location – Mid-Michigan Community College, 2600 South Summerton Road, Mt. Pleasant, MI, 48858.

SIGN UP Now - https://ruraltraining.org/course/AWR-232/?scheduled=true&id=12627

Obtain FEMA Student ID (if you don’t have one): https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid/register

For more information or questions, please call 877-855-RDPC (7372) or email helpdesk@ruraltraining.org.

LHD Contact Information

Please review the agency’s primary telephone number and fax number before submitting the Q2 contact information form. DEPR has had several issues with these numbers being incorrect. Also, be sure to use the latest iteration of this form that includes a county field for the medical examiner listing as well as the checkbox to indicate whether the form contains new information or not.

Respiratory Fit Testing Requirements

Per the discussion last week at the PHEP Partners Meeting, respiratory fit testing is a requirement for anyone wearing a tight-fitting respirator. The PHEP program, at the state or federal level, does not define specifically who at the local health department needs to wear a tight-fitting respirator. This is an LHD decision and may vary by LHD.

A tight-fitting respirator (such as an N95 respirator, half face or full-face respirator) works by creating a tight seal on the workers face and prevents contaminants from leaking in and making them sick. This could be chemical or infectious disease.

Considerations include:

• The MI-OSHA regulations. This covers fit testing, but also the selection process for the best respirator, the respiratory plan, and other details.
• Capability 14: Responder Health and Safety which states, “Identify responder safety and health risks”. This would include determine who has a risk of exposure to a respiratory contaminate (infectious disease, chemical, etc.) during an incident or as part of their regular job and therefore needs training and fit testing in advance of the need. It is recommended to consider environment health staff, communicable disease staff, and others.
• How fit testing is completed. This can be a fit test run by the local health department or a contract company may be used. (Fit test details can be found in the MI-OSHA regulations above.

Please reach out to your regional point of contact if you have additional questions.

Happy Holidays!

All of us at DEPR wish you a joyous and peace-filled holiday season.

Regional Points of Contact

Region 1: Denise Fleming
Region 2N & 2S: Jeannie Byrne
Region 3: Jim Koval
Region 5: April Walton
Region 6: Jessica Gould
Region 7: Jeannie Byrne
Region 8: Kerry Chamberlain
Tribes: Terra Riddle & Rose Ann Davis

This message is being sent to the Division of Emergency Preparedness & Response, Tribal Health Care Coordinator, Local Health Department Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, and Local Health Department Health Officer mailing lists.