NEHA Wildfire Response Guide

National Environmental Health Association, Wildfire Response Guide for Environmental Public Health Professionals, Summer 2023


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

Role of Environmental Public Health Before a Wildfire Happens
8

Emergency Response Planning
9

All-Hazards Planning
9

Agency Coordination
9

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

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

Endnotes
43

Notes
46

www.neha.org

Powered by