Download Hazardous_Events - Community Immunity

Hazardous Event-Volunteer Transcript
Slide 1
Unfortunately, hazardous events do occur, and if not managed properly, people can be
hurt. This training is designed to help volunteers learn how to identify hazardous events
and assist their community.
Slide 2
There are 5 main types of events: biological, chemical, explosions, nuclear events, and
terrorism.
Slide 3
Any disease released into the population that could infect a large number of people is
considered a biological threat. These diseases can occur naturally, or could be introduced
by a person. There is a two-pronged approach in preventing biological events: security
and public health awareness. The security aspect prevents events from occurring through
bio-terrorism, while public health awareness encourages practices that diminish the risk
of disease being spread.
Slide 4
A biological agent is an organism or natural toxin that harms people, livestock, or crop.
A biological attack is the use of biological agents to attack a population.
There are 3 main types of biological agents used in attacks:
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Bacteria, such as anthrax
Virus, such as smallpox
Bio-toxin, such as ricin
Slide 5
The Risk Management Cycle includes five major components:
Threat analysis involves all activities pertaining to the awareness and assessment of
potential biological hazards.
Prevention aims to restrict access to biological agents, related technologies and knowhow for certain countries, groups or individuals
Preparedness allows for the appropriate reaction to a bio-attack or pandemic based on
well-founded planning of procedures, responsibilities, training and education
Surveillance and Detection gives earlier warning and detection of biological weapon
attacks and infectious diseases
And Response and Recovery will be a timely response which may reduce the
consequences of a biological event.
Slide 6
There are different ways that biological agents can enter a population. Some diseases are
more easily spread than others, depending on the method of dispersal. Prevention
strategies vary based on the delivery method.
Slide 7
Chemical agents are toxic substances derived from a chemical source. They can be a gas,
liquid, or solid.
A chemical attack is the use of a chemical agent to harm people, animals, or food. While
most chemicals have distinct smells or colors, some can be undetectable through sight or
smell. Examples of a chemical agent are dioxin, mustard gas, and arsenic.
Slide 8
Warning signs often accompany chemical events. When identified quickly, actions can be
taken to minimize damage caused by the chemical agent.
Slide 9
As soon as a chemical event is detected, take measures to protect yourself. Acting quickly
could save your life. In any case of suspected exposure to a chemical agent, medical
assistance should be sought as soon as is safely possible, even if no symptoms are
immediately present.
Slide 10
At home, prepare a safe-room in case of a chemical attack. The ideal room has access to a
telephone and the bathroom, has few windows, and is on an upper floor. There are also
things you can do to protect yourself if you are not at home at the time of a chemical
event.
Slide 11
Explosions can be accidental or set off on purpose. They can occur during industrial
accidents, or when gas lines rupture. They also can be caused by someone intentionally
detonating a bomb or improvised explosive device.
Slide 12
Typically a bomb threat will be received by telephone. They may also be received by
note, letter, or e-mail. All bomb threats should be taken very seriously.
Most businesses have a plan to handle bomb threats.
Be sure to ask questions, document everything and keep the caller on the line. Also take
note of the tone of the caller’s voice. If a caller sounds calm, angry or sincere are just as
important as listening for background noises or if the caller’s voice sounds familiar
Slide 13
A nuclear event can occur in a variety of ways: a reactor meltdown, a nuclear bomb, or a
radiological dispersion device. In the event of a reactor meltdown, like at Chernobyl in
1986 or a nuclear bomb explosion the effects are evident almost immediately. However,
in the case of a Radiological Dispersal Device, also known as a dirty bomb, the radiation
can be released silently into a water system or during an explosion of a bomb.
Slide 14
The three factors for protecting oneself from radiation and fallout are distance, shielding
and time. During a nuclear event, put as much distance between yourself and the blast
zone. Take shelter behind thick walls to avoid the strong radiation. Assume that you will
have to wait at least two weeks before returning home, if it was near the epicenter of the
blast.
Slide 15
Most of the time, people exposed to radiation can remove it by removing contaminated
clothing and washing thoroughly with soap and water.
A reception center will be set up in response to a radiological emergency. People living
within the exposed area will be evacuated and sent to the reception center. They will be
tested for contamination and sent through a decontamination, or wash station if particles
of radiation are detected on them. After they shower and change their clothes, they will
be retested. Sometimes, the decontamination procedure must be repeated.
In some instances, people will have internal contamination and be required to go to the
hospital for treatment.
The reception center staff will provide medical countermeasures as needed for the
incident and place evacuees in temporary shelters as needed. Important information will
be collected so that public health officials can monitor any health effects resulting from
the incident.