Role of Environmental Public Health During and After a Wildfire Expect the unexpected. There will be challenges that are not in the playbook. Be flexible with your response. When a wildfire first occurs: • obtain information on fire behavior and spread to determine impacted residential areas or businesses • examine resource needs • look at the potential need for additional resources • review policies and procedures on disaster response • review and update existing guidance to the public • gear up or stand down based on intel provided The impact on local communities in the path of a wildfire is obvious. Residents in wildfire-prone areas, especially wildfire urban interface (WUI) areas are well advised to prepare their own family plans by following “Ready, Set, Go” guidelines. 15 , 16 In the wildfires seen in the last decade, however, surrounding communities are also affected. A fire’s impact and its smoke may be widespread and involve surrounding cities, counties, and states. Environmental public health and emergency response agencies need to be aware and plan accordingly. Some of the possible impacts might include: • law enforcement, fire, and ambulances sent to the disaster • establishment of evacuation centers • medical centers filled from evacuations of hospitals • pharmacy and oxygen demand overload • animal shelters are overwhelmed • hotels overloaded • increased demand and use of sewage systems • solid waste, debris, and mudflow issues • increased demand on water infrastructure
• physical, chemical and biological contamination of surface waters 17 • unsafe outdoor and indoor air • increased demand on telecommunication systems The responsibilities of environmental public health professionals during and after a wildfire will be broad. Smaller jurisdictions may opt to allow the state or another agency to handle some of the workload. Priorities and what environmental public health staff take on should be what they are familiar with and within their scope of duties. Some of these include: • Indoor and outdoor air quality • Food safety including mass feeding locations • Mass care facilities • Drinking water safety • Sanitation • Vector and pest management • Solid waste and debris removal and landfill duties • Hazardous waste / materials removal • Healthy homes and re-entry • Guidance for homeowners and businesses 18 • Institutions, schools, hospitals, and other care facilities • Public health advisories • Animal Control • Emergency Operations Center (EOC) duties • Disaster assistance center duties • Infection control matters • Assessment of regulated facilities
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