 Minnesota is experiencing an increase in the number and strength of weather-related natural disasters. Emergency management and preparedness professionals are on the front-lines of responding, but often lack access to and understanding of climate trend data to help plan for and minimize the risks of impacts from extreme weather events. As a way to help planners and decision-makers in emergency management and related fields understand regional climate trends, the Minnesota Climate & Health Program developed climate and health data profiles tailored to each of the six Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) regions across the state.
Each regional profile includes a description of climate change trends along with a summary of climate and population projection data. Additionally, each regional profile provides a local case study to illustrate the links between extreme weather and natural disasters and what climate projection data can (and cannot) indicate for similar events in the future. This resource provides a framework for discussing projected local risks related to our changing climate and supports the development of climate adaptation strategies that protect community health and safety.
To access all six regional profiles and a recording of the Planning for Climate & Health Impacts: Emergency Management Considerations webinar hosted on August 22, visit the Minnesota Climate & Health Program.
|
 On Friday, September 28, The Minnesota Department of Health conducted their first Closed Point of Dispensing (CPOD) exercise. The CPOD model is used by organizations and businesses to rapidly dispense medications to employees during a widespread public health emergency. In MDH’s exercise scenario, a release of a biological agent targeting state employees triggered the activation of the CPOD plan. Over 1,000 employees received a test alert notifying them of the exercise and details of where to report to pick up their medication which, in this case, was M&Ms!
Over the course of one hour and thirty minutes, 162 employees came through the POD and received their simulated medication. Employees completed an online screening form that helped determine which of the medications they would receive, as it would be during a real world event. In total, 124 individuals received doxycycline, 23 individuals received ciprofloxacin, and 6 individuals could not receive either medication, due to health reasons, and were written a prescription. When speaking with participants, many were unfamiliar with the Point of Dispensing Concept, and enjoyed learning more about emergency preparedness at the agency level. Exercises like this are crucial in evaluating our plans and protocols, should a real world public health emergency occur.
|
Jillian Bagley is the new Exercise and Training Planner in the Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response. Jillian comes to us from the Minneapolis Health Department where she previously worked on projects including: leading the city’s food defense planning and response initiatives in preparation for Super Bowl LII, developing Closed POD Plans for city employees, and running a Closed POD exercise for the Department.
Leah Bauck is the new Public Health Preparedness Planner to work the Opioid Crisis Cooperative Agreement. She recently earned her Masters of Public Health Degree from the University of Minnesota. She is from northern Minnesota, but is happy to be down in the Twin Cities Metro area. Prior to this position Leah worked as a student worker in the Zoonotic Disease Unit for IDEPC/MDH. She looks forward to learning more about EPR’s role in the opioid overdose epidemic!
Keeley Morris is the new Emergency Preparedness Planning Specialist. Prior to joining EPR, she participated in MCM deployment planning as an ORISE Fellow at the CDC. She began her career in public health as an infectious disease epidemiologist for the Texas Department of State Health Services where she responded to threats such as Ebola, avian influenza, and Zika. She recently relocated to Minnesota and looks forward to meeting and working with everyone at MDH!
Laural Mattson is the new Public Health Emergency Preparedness Planner focusing on Training and Exercises. She comes to us with three years of experience at Target Corporation on their Global Crisis Management Team. Prior to that she was the Deputy Director of Emergency Services for Stark County, North Dakota. Laurel is excited to start a new chapter at MDH - Emergency Preparedness and Response.
PIO Training Plan
MDH has created a PIO training plan recommended for local public health PIOs in Minnesota. Local public health professionals listed as Public Communications Coordinator (PCC) or Emergency Spokesperson in PartnerLink may also find these courses helpful.
PIOs should register at https://www.train.org/mn/home for a MN.TRAIN account and use the account to register for and/or track completion of permanent required courses, training and exercises. Once logged into MN.TRAIN registering for the training plan is easy. Select “training plans” in the navigation, and then search for “Local Public Health Public Information Officers.” If you have questions about the training plan, please contact Candice McCardle at candice.mccardle@state.mn.us. Help registering, enrolling for courses, uploading certificates of completion, downloading transcripts and other MN.TRAIN issues is available by sending an email request to MN.TRAIN@state.mn.us.
MN Crisis and Emergency Risk Communications (MN-CERC) Training
December 18, 2018, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM (CST)
Dakota County Northern Service Center, West St. Paul, MN
MN.TRAIN Course ID 1078493
The purpose crisis and emergency risk communications is to get the right information, to the right people, at the right time, via the right channel, so they can make the right decision. This training builds on the strong foundation of the original Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Crisis, Emergency Risk Communications (CERC) core training, by adding in Minnesota focused examples, scenarios, and skills practice. Click on the Course ID link above to register in MN.TRAIN. If you have questions about the training, please contact Doug Schultz at doug.schultz@state.mn.us.
Metro Health and Medical Preparedness Coalition 2019 Preparedness Practicum
February 20, 2019
Save the date! The 2019 Preparedness Practicum will take place on February 20, 2019. Registration and more information to come.
|
