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Serving California in a Disaster

Public Employees as Disaster Service Workers

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Questions This Training Will Answer

• Why does California need Disaster Service Workers?

• What government systems are used to manage emergency response efforts?

• What is a Disaster Service Worker (DSW)?

• What are your roles and responsibilities as a DSW?

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Questions This Training Will Answer (Cont'd)

• What rights and protections do you have as a DSW?

• How will you be notified of an emergency?

• How can you prepare your family and yourself prior to an event?

• How can you learn more about disaster response and personal preparedness? (Additional Resources)

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California Needs

Disaster Service Workers

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California Disasters - Quick Facts

• How many Presidentially declared disasters have there been between 1953 and 2008? *

• 2,917

• How many of those were in California?

• 182 (About 6.5% of Presidentially declared disasters

happened in California.)

* Source FEMA website 10/15/2008

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Disasters are a Part of Life in California

• Earthquakes

• Floods

• Fires

• Blackouts

• Water contamination

• Extreme Heat

• Severe Cold

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Potential Threats to Public Health

• Avian/Pandemic Flu

• Hazardous material spills or radiological events

• Bioterrorism

• Threats to environmental health, such as water systems and food supply

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Past Public Health Incidents

• “Asian Flu” Pandemic – 1957

• Chernobyl Nuclear Explosion – 1986

• Anthrax Letter Attacks – 2001

• Hurricane Katrina – 2005

• Novel H1N1 Influenza Virus Outbreak – 2009

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Standardized Government Systems

for Managing Emergencies

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Two Standardized Systems for Managing Emergencies

SEMSStandardized Emergency

Management System

California’s system of emergency management of incidents with multi-agency and/or multi-jurisdiction involvement.

NIMS National Incident

Management System

Comprehensive, national approach to incident management that is applicable at all jurisdictional levels and across functional disciplines.

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SEMS Defined

• California uses the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS).*

• SEMS is an emergency and disaster management structure that integrates:

• Emergency preparedness and planning• Command and Control structure• Coordination and support activities

* SEMS integrates the elements of the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

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What SEMS Provides

• Standardized emergency management across all levels of California government and its political subdivisions

• Coordination between emergency response agencies

• Rapid mobilization, deployment, and tracking of resources

• Interoperability: effective coordination and communication between organizations

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SEMS in Action

The entities that comply with SEMS:• All California agencies must comply with SEMS. • All local California government entities must

comply with SEMS to be eligible for disaster related expenses.

The five primary functions of SEMS:• Logistics• Finance/

Administration

• Management• Operations• Planning/Intelligence

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DSWs and SEMS

• By the time DSWs are called into work, an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will have already been activated.

• The EOC will coordinate DSW assignments and the day-to-day operations of emergency response efforts.

• Most DSWs will not be assigned roles in the EOC unless they have received additional SEMS training.

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Introduction to Disaster Service Work

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Disaster Service Worker Defined

California Emergency Services Act Government Code 3100-3109: All public employees are hereby declared to be disaster service workers subject to disaster service activities as assigned to them by superiors or by law.

“Public Employees” includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, city and county, state agency or public district excluding aliens legally employed.

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Disaster Service Oath / Affirmation

• The Disaster Service Oath/Affirmation* is set forth in the California Constitution.

• Most public employees sign the Disaster Service Oath/Affirmation during the hiring process and it is kept with the employer.

• If you have questions regarding the Disaster Service Oath / Affirmation, please speak to your supervisor.

* (An oath and an affirmation serve the same purpose; they both signify a

formal promise and/or commitment.)

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Key Factors for Effective Disaster Service Work

• Awareness of your role as a DSW

• Training: getting the information you need to perform Disaster Service Duties

• Family Emergency Preparedness

• Coping effectively with stress

Remember, YOU are an important member of the disaster response and recovery team.

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Roles & Responsibilities of Disaster Service Workers

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Work Similar to Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Services that you usually perform, in a longer workday and maybe in another location:

• For example, providing disaster victims with government services, such as Medi-Cal, Women, Infant and Children (WIC) benefits

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Emergency response related activities associated with the program in which you work (those who work in programs with statutory response responsibilities during an incident):

• For example, Lab Technicians; Epidemiologists; Drinking Water Engineers; Food, Drug and Radiation Inspectors; Safety and Health Officers, Public Information Officers, and Program Managers

Work Similar to Day-to-Day Responsibilities (Cont'd)

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Work That is Different From Normal Day-to-Day Responsibilities

You may be asked to take on tasks outside normal day to day responsibilities:

• Work in support of emergency operations

• Assist with support functions at a disaster site

• Coordinate information about the disaster or available public services

• Other activities needed to effectively respond to the disaster

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Work that relies on using skills and abilities outside your day-to-day responsibilities

• Public Health Nurses, Physicians, and other medical professionals may be asked to deliver healthcare and/or perform triage.

• Laboratory Technicians may be asked to perform work duties in labs.

Work That is Different From Normal Day-to-Day Activities (Cont’d)

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Supporting Emergency Operations

You may be asked to support emergency operations, such as a:

• Local Emergency Operations Center (Local EOC)

• Regional Emergency Operations Center (REOC)

• Joint Emergency Operations Center (JEOC)

• Receipt, Staging, Storing (RSS) Warehouse for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)

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Tasks may include:• Assisting with purchasing, record keeping,

time keeping• Analyzing information, providing subject

matter expertise, planning response activities

• Answering phones, supporting emergency response facilities, writing press releases, monitoring media

• Processing requests for supplies to be sent to local health departments

Supporting Emergency Operations (Cont’d)

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When working as a DSW, remember to:• Always report your whereabouts to your DSW

supervisor so that you can be easily locatedif needed.

• Keep good records, for example, record your expenses, your DSW assignments, and the name of your DSW manager.

• Always sign in and out from work (track your work hours).

Maintain Communication and Keep Good Records

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DSW Rights and Protections

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Exemptions from DSW Assignment

When can you be exempted from Disaster Service Work?

There will be times when family commitments or other pressing needs during an event will supersede you being able to work. Examples: care of elderly parents/relatives, care of children, or residing in the affected emergency zone.

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DSW Relocation Protocol

How long might you be relocated?

The standard request is for a DSW to be available to work for 14 days. While the goal is to provide relief for someone after a week, in a catastrophic event (e.g., earthquake) this might be difficult.

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Expense Reimbursement and Overtime Payment

• Out of pocket expenses for travel and per diem will be paid according to your bargaining unit provisions.

• Overtime will also be paid according to your bargaining unit provisions. If travel is required for prolonged periods, arrangements will be made for payment.

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Laws That Protect DSWs from Liability

California Government Code 8657: Provides immunity from liability for both the worker and the agency, absent willful or criminal acts.

California Government Code 8659: Protections for healthcare providers, absent the event of a willful act or omission.

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Exceptions to DSW Protocol

• Emergency orders executed by the Governor could add additional requirements and/or benefits for Disaster Service Workers.

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Personal Safety of DSWs

Your personal safety will always come first!• You will not be asked to perform any

services of which you are not capable.

• Necessary training will be provided.

• Injuries sustained by public employees while performing disaster services shall be filed as worker compensation claims under the same authorities and guidelines within their agency.

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Emergency Notification

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Local EmergencyNotification

• Tune your radio or television to local news for information.

• Call your organization’s emergency information hotline.

• Check your work voice mail for messages related to the event.

• Call your supervisor to report your status and to get more information on the situation.

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• Ask your supervisor for your organization’s hotline number.

• If you are not immediately requested to report to work, remain on standby as you may be requested to report to work at a later point.

Non-Local or Statewide EmergencyNotification

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• Ask your supervisor for your organization’s hotline number.

• Keep the hotline number in a location that is easy to find, both at home and work.

Emergency Phone Lines (Hotlines)

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Family Preparedness:

Ensuring your family’s safety and security is a key part of being an effective Disaster

Service Worker

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Ensuring Family Safety

To keep your family safe and secure while you are working as a Disaster

Service Worker:

• Create a family emergency communication plan.

• Develop a family evacuation and or shelter plan.

• Establish emergency supply and equipment kits.

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Family Emergency Plan

Why does my family need an emergency plan?• Helps ensure the safety of

family members• Helps family members locate

one another• Provides a written plan for

making informed, rational decisions in times of high stress that require rapid decision making and action

Photo provided by the American Red Cross

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Family Communication

• Determine safe rooms within your house, neighborhood meeting places, and an out-of-state contact.

• Complete copies of information sheets.

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security: http://ready.adcouncil.org/beprepared/quickshare.html

• Complete family pocket directories for all members of your family.

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/commplan.shtm

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• Create evacuation plans for disasters for your home and neighbors.

• Become familiar with evacuation plans for your local workplace, schools, community, and other places your family spends time.

• Include precautions for summer and winter storms, and chemical and biological releases.

Evacuation and Shelter Plans

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Family Emergency Supply Kit Basics to Stock

• Water

• Food

• First aid supplies

• Clothing and bedding

• Tools and emergency supplies

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Family Disaster Supply Kits (Cont’d)

• A covered trash container (that one person can carry)

or

• A camping backpack

or

• A duffle bag

Pack your kits in easy to carry containers.

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Food Planning

• Store at least a 3 day supply of non-perishable food.

• Choose foods that don’t require refrigeration or cooking.• Packaged meats, fruits, and vegetables

• Select foods that are compact and lightweight.• Dried or boxed soups, milk, fruit• High energy foods, such as peanut butter,

granola bars, trail mix

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Water

• Store at least one gallon per-person, per day.• Store more if you live in a warm

weather climate or if your family includes children, nursing mothers, or sick people.

• Keep at least a two week supply for each person.

• Consider storing more water for use in cooking and personal hygiene.

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Tools and Supplies

• First Aid kit• Emergency

preparedness manual• Flashlights• Paper, pen, pencil• Battery operated radio• Extra batteries• Waterproof matches• Whistle• Compass

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• $200 or more in small bills and change

• Can opener, knife and utensils

• Candles• Map (city & county)• Scissors• Duct tape

• Plastic Sheeting / Covers

Tools and Supplies (Cont’d)

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Personal / Household Supplies

• Toilet paper, towelettes

• Soap, liquid detergent

• Feminine supplies

• Personal hygiene items

• Sunscreen

• Lotion

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• Plastic garbage bags & ties

• Plastic bucket with tight lid

• Disinfectant• Household chlorine bleach

Do not use scented, color-safe, or bleaches with added cleaners.

• Quart and gallon zip lock bags

Personal / Household Supplies (Cont’d)

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Important Documents & Information

• Personal identification cards

• Driver’s licenses

• Social security cards

• Credit cards

• Birth certificates

• Important work and family contact phone numbers

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Special Items

• Items for baby and children

• Items for elders

• Items for persons with disabilities

• Pet food and carriers

• Eye glasses

• Prescriptions

• House and car keys

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Preparedness Tips

• Store kit in a convenient place known to all family members.

• Reassess kit and family needs yearly (e.g., replace batteries, update clothes).

• Keep items, such as important documents, in air tight plastic bags.

• Change water supply every 3 months.

• Rotate your food every 6 months.

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Preparedness Tips (Cont’d)

• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.

• Prepare extra kits for work and automobile.

• Plan ahead for the special needs of:• Elders, small children, pets

• Provide for family comfort needs:• Favorite blankets, stuffed animals, games

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Strategies for Coping With Stress

• Develop a family preparedness plan.

• Keep your organization’s emergency hotline number close at hand.

• Help others deal with the stress when possible.

• Listen carefully to information from medical and public health authorities.

Remain Calm & Practice Patience

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For More Information

Family Emergency Preparedness• See the “Resources” link on the training

homepage for links to more information.• Visit local, state, and federal Health Department /

Agency websites for more information.

Emergency Response Participation• Discuss opportunities with your supervisor.• Enroll in an introductory to Standardized

Emergency Management System (SEMS) class.

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YOU Are an Important Part of Disaster Response and Recovery!

• During an emergency or disaster, your work as a DSW is critical to the response and recovery of your community.

• The more prepared you are, the more your family and community will benefit from your response.

• Thank you for being an essential part of the disaster response in your community!

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Play Disaster Service Worker Video

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Questions?

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the California Department of Pubic Health, Emergency Preparedness Office.

EPOtraining@cdph.ca.gov