NEHA Wildfire Response Guide

Contents

Introduction.....................................................................4 Before the Event.........................................................4 Response and Recovery...........................................4 What is a Wildfire? .................................................... 4 Changes in Wildfire Frequency and Intensity.................................................................4 Role of Environmental Public Health...................................................................6 Partnership with Emergency Services.................6 Developing and Updating Protocols....................6 Determining Agency Involvement.........................6 Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality ............................. 6 Staffing ........................................................................... 7 Response Role.............................................................7 Recovery Role..............................................................7 Mutual Aid . ................................................................... 7

Key Environmental Health Areas ...........................14 Air Quality .................................................................. 14 Food . ............................................................................ 18 Water (Including Stormwater) . ........................... 20 Sanitation ..................................................................23 Vectors And Pests...................................................24 Hazardous Materials/Waste (Including Soil Sampling) ...................................... 25 Solid Waste and Debris.........................................28 Mass Care...................................................................31 Healthy Homes and Re-Entry.............................32 Other Considerations .............................................. 35

General References.....................................................41

Acronyms...................................................................... 41

About this Project.......................................................42

Role of Environmental Public Health Before a

Endnotes. ...................................................................... 43

Wildfire Happens ...........................................................8 Emergency Response Planning.............................9 All-Hazards Planning................................................9 Agency Coordination.................................................9

Notes.............................................................................. 46

Role of Environmental Public Health During and

After a Wildfire ........................................................... 11 Coordination with Incident Command..............12 Department or County Emergency Operations Center.......................................................................... 12 Joint Information Center........................................12 Initial Damage Assessment..................................12 Recovery Resources ................................................ 13 Guidance/Form Review .......................................... 13

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