Staffing The most important resources are the professionals working within environmental public health organi - zations. Management should review staffing poli - cies and procedures because a wildfire event may impact their staff directly or indirectly. This may include: • how to support employees whose homes might be damaged/destroyed • work expectations for recall • changing duties • job assignments • organizational structure • what your agency is willing to take on during and following the wildfire • mental/behavioral health issues • longevity of the response • how to continue agency responsibilities in areas not impacted by wildfires Response Role Responsibilities within the fire area might include activities at the base camp or command post to ensure minimum standards are met for feeding, water supply, and housing of response staff. Envi - ronmental public health duties could also include staffing emergency operations centers to support the needs and requests made by emergency oper - ations. Staff should: • monitor fire activity • find out the scope of damaged or destroyed homes or buildings
Recovery Role During recovery, staff responsibilities could last a significant amount of time – from months to years. Recovery involves government at all levels working to support wildfire-impacted communities. These activities involve: • permitting and reconstruction of homes • ensuring safe housing, food, and water • providing temporary housing • restoring health, social, and community services • rebuilding infrastructure • re-establishing normal living conditions
Mutual Aid This guide does not cover “mutual aid.” 9 Smaller or rural jurisdictions might consider obtaining out - side resources from nearby environmental public health agencies or others with specific abilities or credentials. Recent large California wildfires required local mutual aid-type assistance, espe - cially during recovery operations. State-facili - tated mutual aid plans and processes may help environmental public health agencies. Explore the state’s involvement in wildfire recovery. In some states, for example, removal of household hazardous waste might be taken on by the state agency charged with hazardous waste regulatory responsibilities. Local hazardous waste regulatory entities are advised to participate and support where possible and when appropriate.
• evaluate personnel and resource needs • review guidance and public information documents
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