Presentation by Susan Earley, Disaster Behavioral Health Coordinator, RI Dept. of Behavioral Health Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals.

1. Building Disaster Health and Well-being Susan Earley State Disaster Behavioral Health Coordinator Hurricane Conference 2011 Pawtuxet Village 1938

2. Protect Your Health and Safety After a Hurricane or Flood Prevent illness from FOOD Identify and throw away food that may not be safe to eat. Prevent illness from WATER Listen to and follow public announcements. Avoid floodwater and mosquitoes. Follow all warnings about water on roadways. If you are caught in an area where floodwater is rising, wear a life jacket, or use some other type of flotation device.

3. Prevent and treat OTHER ILLNESS and INJURIES Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Don’t use a gasoline- or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage. Don’t run a car inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave the door open. Don’t heat your house with a gas oven. Beware of electrical and fire hazards. NEVER touch a fallen power line. If electrical circuits and equipment have gotten wet or are in or near water, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel.

4. Avoid unstable buildings and structures. Beware of wild or stray animals. Take appropriate precautions to avoid animal bites and rabies exposure. Get rid of dead animals according to local guidelines. If possible, use flashlights or other battery-operated lights instead of candles. Beware of hazardous materials. Wash skin that may have come in contact with hazardous chemicals. Clean up and prevent mold growth. Clean up and dry out the building quickly.

5. To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water. Throw away porous items (for example, carpet and upholstered furniture) that cannot be dried quickly. Fix any leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing. Pace yourself and be alert to physical exhaustion or strain. Set priorities for cleanup tasks. Try not to work alone or get exhausted. Ask your family members, friends, or professionals for support. Prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Use teams of two or more people to move bulky objects. Avoid lifting any material that weighs more than 50 pounds (per person).

6. Treat wounds. Clean out all open wounds and cuts with soap and clean water. Apply an antibiotic ointment. Use soap and water to wash your hands. If water isn’t available, you can use alcohol-based products made for washing hands. Stay cool. When it’s hot, stay in air-conditioned buildings; drink water and nonalcoholic fluids often. Wear protective gear for cleanup work. Wear hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves, and watertight boots with steel toes and insoles. Wear earplugs or protective headphones to reduce risk from equipment noise.

7. What’s wrong? Mental health issues are among the largest public health issues following a disaster. This must be considered in all phases of disaster planning and management .

9. Weather-related disaster: A disaster is the result of a vast ecological breakdown in the relation between humans and their environment, a serious and sudden event (or slow, as in a drought) on such a scale that the stricken community needs extraordinary efforts to cope with it, often with outside help.

38. Information Sharing and Social Networking as Recovery Tools

39. Follow FEMA, NOAA and American Red Cross on Facebook to learn more about hurricanes and the steps you can take to ensure your family or business is prepared. Post comments, share your stories and keep track of the latest information. www.facebook.com/fema www.facebook.com/redcross www.facebook.com/usnoaagov

40. In 140 characters or less, brief messages (aka “tweets”) provide followers with specific information in a timely manner. Those who “tweet” can stay up-to-date and by following on-going developments in a disaster situation via their cell phones. www.twitter.com/femainfocuswww.twitter.com/craigatfema www.twitter.com/usnoaa.gov www.twitter.com/usoceangov

41. Watch online video webisodes on topics such as how to prepare a disaster kit, what to do and where to go in an emergency, how to apply for disaster assistance and more. Tune in for informational videos produced by FEMA, NOAA, and American Red Cross. www.youtube.com/fema www.youtube.com/usnoaagov www.youtube.com/user/AmRedCross

42. Cell phone users with internet connectivity can access a basic easy-to-load webpage designed specifically for fast downloads. Log on for information on what to do before, during and after a disaster by visiting fema.gov on your mobile phone. For a complete list of social media links offered by each agency/organization, visit www.fema.gov, www.redcross.org/connect, www.noaa.gov/socialmedia

43. Add a WIDGET or badge to your website which allows your audience to find specific hurricane-related information . These predesigned tools which include direct links, videos and updated disaster information. www.fema.gov/help/widgets www.nhc.noaa.gov/widgets

45. Available FEMA Widgets

46. Search for Red Cross Shelters Found on website or iPhone app! Shows capacity and current use.

47. www.rihope.ri.gov

48. www.nhc.noaa.gov

49. Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)

50. www.riema.ri.gov

51. Safe and Well site