Hurricane Response Guide for Environmental Public Health Professionals
Evacuation vs. Shelter-in-Place During a radiation event, the decision to evacuate or shelter-in-place is complex and requires input from various authorities, partners, and stakeholders, including public health and emergency management. Many factors must be considered, such as the event’s type, size, location, and scope, as well as available resources. Timely decision-making is crucial to save lives and protect public health and safety. If an evacuation is ordered, EPH may be asked to support the process by ensuring that evacuation locations are safe and suitable for use. This involves addressing issues similar to those in shelters, such as ensuring safe food, water, waste disposal, and appropriate sanitation and hygiene. Population Monitoring The primary objectives of population monitoring are as follows: 1. Identifying individuals who are in immediate danger and need prompt attention 2. Identifying people who require medical treatment for radiation contamination and/or exposure 3. Recommending and facilitating practical measures to minimize risks to the affected population 4. Registering individuals for long-term health monitoring to track potential health effects over time When participating in population monitoring activities, such as screening for radiation contamination and/or exposure, EPH should prioritize preventing or mitigating acute radiation health effects. While cross-contamination issues (e.g., people spreading contamination from themselves, clothing, or personal articles) are a concern, they are considered secondary to the immediate health risks posed by radiation exposure. Community Reception Centers (CRCs) 7 EPH may be called upon to assist at CRCs following a radiation event. CRCs serve as locations where potentially contaminated or exposed individuals can receive assistance and are ideal for conducting population monitoring. At CRCs, EPH practitioners provide the following essential services: 1. Registering affected individuals to maintain records and facilitate follow-up 2. Conducting external contamination screening to identify people who may have been exposed to radiation 3. Performing external decontamination to remove radioactive materials from the skin and clothing of affected individuals 4. Prioritizing people for further care based on the severity of their contamination or exposure
CRCs could be used in incidents other than radiological and may be used in other situations where contamination or certain exposures have occurred. 7
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