Other Considerations Any major disaster situation will be a challenge to all government agencies called to respond, large or small. Wherever you live or however your depart - ment is organized, a response to a major wildfire can be overwhelming and extremely stressful. When assistance appears in the form of the public, private companies, or non-governmental organiza - tions (NGOs) showing up, it is often welcomed by communities, but can present its own challenges. People and organizations may offer home-cooked meals, meals provided to the community by set - ting up kitchens and feeding locations, ash and debris cleanup, or rescue and recovery operations. Some of these organizations are experienced and have personnel that are well trained to perform the work they do. Others struggle. Local environ - mental public health staff will need to address these challenges as they arise. Some of the other considerations below may require more effort in pre-planning and should be discussed to determine how to initiate and move forward. Undoubtedly, many environmental pub - lic health entities are mindful of the potential for disasters to occur, including wildfires in most areas of the country. Looking deeper into disaster man - agement and utilizing local expertise in this area is always recommended. Strike Teams Several local and state entities have developed the capacity to respond to requests for environmental public health staff work, through the applicable local requesting processes. 61 Several teams have also entered into agreements should the request come from adjoining States through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). A strike team is typically a self-contained unit consisting of a supervisor or team leader and team members. Whether resources are from an adjoining jurisdiction, state resources, or from other states, members typically possess a high level of emer- gency response type training and have the ability to respond quickly. Specific equipment, instruments and personal protection are desirable and may be necessary depending on the circumstances. Mem - ber and Team Go-Bags 62 are necessary and key in the initial phases of a wildfire response.
Training should cover the gamut of environmen - tal public health emergency preparedness and response activities including a familiarity with the incident command structure. While hazardous materials or waste regulatory programs may be found within local or state environmental public health entities, they may be in a different depart - ment or division and those resources should be requested separately. In the initial phases of a wildfire, where base camps, mass evacuation and feeding centers have been established, environmental public health Strike Teams may assist in initial assessments or inspections to determine whether basic require - It is extremely important during a major wildfire that political representatives be updated on envi - ronmental public health activities and concerns. Most political concerns will not occur during the active wildfire, but rather during the recovery phase. Typically, management will connect with politicians visiting fire command posts and are advised to continue with briefings and updates during the entire event. Political complaints will often be made and pres- sure will come to agencies that have a role in ensuring appropriate and safe measures for the public to take when returning. Staff must be careful not to overexert their cautions, and the message, direction and oversight must be clear yet consid - erate of the emotions invariably faced by returning members of the public. ments are being met. 63 Political Impacts
Private residents, depending on their resources, may see the government response as slow and desire a quicker cleanup and approval process. It is important to recognize that some may not want
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