Virtual Fall Summit Encore 2023-Public Health Incident Management

Public Health Incident Management - Miss Ehnert

Pdf Summary

The presentation was given by Teresa Ehnert, Bureau Chief of Public Health Emergency Preparedness. It focused on the response to a truck carrying liquid nitric acid that crashed on Interstate 10 in Tucson, AZ. The first person on the scene, a Border Patrol Agent, took initial steps to block lanes on the highway. Unified Command was established, involving multiple agencies, to mitigate the incident and evacuate the area. Communication channels were set up, including a webpage and alerts on the Arizona Emergency Information Network.<br /><br />The Incident Command System (ICS), a standardized approach to emergency response, was used to coordinate efforts. It was initially developed for wildfires but now applies to a range of situations. The Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) Manager oversaw the response, with different sections responsible for operations, planning, logistics, and finance.<br /><br />Specific guidance was provided regarding the public health actions during the hazmat response, including assessments of the public health threat, communication with healthcare providers, and mapping of potentially impacted facilities. The response was technical in nature, with no known injuries or direct effects on the public or responders.<br /><br />The presentation concluded with some key takeaways. The response brought together agencies from different jurisdictions, focusing on life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation. Lessons were learned, and agencies continue to improve their preparedness for future emergencies.<br /><br />The presentation was informative and provided insights into the interagency response to the hazmat incident in Tucson.

Keywords

Teresa Ehnert

liquid nitric acid

Interstate 10

Tucson

Unified Command

evacuation

Incident Command System

public health actions

hazmat response

interagency response