REMARKS FROM THE MINNESOTA

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH:
Bridging Emergency Management and
Health Approaches to Emergencies
Jane E. Braun
Director of Emergency Preparedness

Outline
Quick overview of public health and healthcare

emergency preparedness in MN
Similarities and differences between health and

emergency management approaches

Healthcare Coalitions
Putting the E-word into perspective

8 Health Regions in MN

Community Health Boards in MN

Health Components of Emergencies

Wildfires

Responder food safety

Asthma concerns
Behavioral health

Sheltering
Family reunification
Replacement

medications

Typical Flood Response Roles

Drinking watercommunity supplies and wells
Testing, decontamination advice
Licensed food, beverage, lodging facilities
Support to local health departments.
Healthcare continuity and evacuations
Patient care coordination
Fact sheets, websites and technical assistance
Disaster Recovery Centers
Family reunification

Typical Flood Response Roles, cont.

Behavioral Health
Responders, affected residents
Sheltering, mass feeding, sanitation
Indoor air (sheetrock, mold, etc.)
Nursing home and hospital evacuation planning
Bed tracking
Communications
Waivers/reimbursement issues
Translation of materials

Other Response Tools

Medical Reserve Corps volunteers
Strategic National Stockpile/state stockpile

Mass dispensing plans

Medical surge planning

Resource tracking
Mobile Medical Teams

Emergency Management and Health

Similarities
Use of Incident Command

System
Focus on life safety,
incident stabilization,
property preservation
Hazard vulnerability
assessment

Differences
Geography of incidents
Decision-making style
Duration of incidents

Health Coalition
Collaborative network of healthcare organizations

and their public and private sector response partners

Multi-agency coordinating group that assists

emergency management and ESF#8 with activities

related to healthcare organization disaster operations
Mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery
roles

NOT a command and control function

Health Coalition Response Functions

Promote situational awareness
Facilitate resource sharing/coordination

Facilitate information sharing

Facilitate coordination of incident response

actions among member organizations

Promote efficient interface of member
organizations with jurisdictional authorities
Support the request and receipt of
assistance from local, State and Federal
authorities

Health Coalition Partnerships

Hospitals

hospital associations
Specialty service
Public health
providers (dialysis,
Emergency medical
pediatrics, urgent care)
services
Support service providers
Public safety
(laboratories, pharmacies,
Long-term care providers poison control)
Mental/behavioral health Tribal healthcare
providers
Clinics

Emergency management

Private entities such as

Emerging Health Issues

Rail/pipeline safety
Burn surge capacity

Climate change
Vector-borne diseases
Extreme weather events
Vulnerable populations

PUTTING EBOLA IN
PERSPECTIVE

Mitigating Factors
Geography
Timing of potential exposure
Monitoring

Fragile virus

Geography

Geography
Very small part of a large continent
Multiple screenings at departure and entry

Entry limited to 5 U.S. airports

Timing of Potential Exposure

Not infectious if no symptoms

Viral load increases with disease progression

Fluid loss increases with disease progression

Monitoring
Daily contact with returning travelers

Monitored for symptoms

Fragile Virus
Killed by:
bleach

acetic acid
glutaraldehyde
alcohols
heat
sunlight (UVC)

gamma radiation
Any EPA-registered disinfectant for Norovirus

What Should You Do?

Get a flu shot
Stop smoking
Dont text and drive
Eat your vegetables

Contact Information
Jane Braun
Director of Emergency Preparedness

Minnesota Department of Health

Jane.braun@state.mn.us
651-201-4829