Public Health Preparedness Capabilities

Public Health Laboratory Testing

Biological specimens can provide a powerful diagnostic tool for assessment of internal contamination and radiation exposure. Public health and hospital laboratories may be needed to analyze blood samples (CBC with differential white cell count). Collection of urine or blood specimens for analysis may take place in a hospital or other medical facility; or in the field at a community reception center as a part of the population monitoring process.

To get started: Population Monitoring in Radiation Emergencies: A Guide for State and Local Public Health Planners

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Public Health Surveillance and Epidemiological Investigation

State and local agencies should establish a registry as early as possible after a radiation emergency. This registry will be used for short-term medical follow-up or long-term health monitoring of affected people. The long-term monitoring process involves observing and recording any health effects that could be related to radiation exposure. Establishing the registry is a part of population monitoring operations.

To get started: Virtual Community Reception Center

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Community Preparedness

Making pre-event information about radiation emergencies available to community partners and the public will enhance community preparedness. For example, all-hazards awareness training could incorporate protective action messages for radiation emergencies, such as the "get inside, stay inside, and stay tuned" message.

To get started: Radiological Terrorism: Just-in-Time Training

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Community Recovery

Recovery from a radiation emergency could take a long time. There may be ongoing environmental cleanup and a need to assist those who may have been contaminated by or exposed to radioactive material. Addressing the psychological impact of radiation disasters will also be a key part of recovery efforts.

To get started: Psychological First Aid in Radiation Disasters

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Medical Countermeasure Dispensing

There are some medical treatments available for limiting or removing internal contamination. These treatments only work for certain types of radioactive materials. Medical professionals will have to determine if treatments are needed. For treatment to be effective, it must be administered quickly in order to have the best chance at mitigating adverse health effects.

To get started: Radiological Terrorism: Medical Response to Mass Casualties

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Medical Material Management and Distribution

In addition to medical countermeasures, there may be other medical material needs following a radiation emergency related to burns, trauma injuries, or other scenario-specific needs.

To get started: Public Health Planning for Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism

To get started: Medical Countermeasures for Radiation Exposure and Contamination

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Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions

Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as getting inside a building, taking a shower or changing clothes, and sheltering-in-place can be very effective in reducing potential health effects of a radiation emergency. Population monitoring operations and public information are two examples of how non-pharmaceutical interventions could be implemented.

To get started: Virtual Community Reception Center

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Emergency Operations Coordination

The Nuclear Radiological Incident Annex (a part of the National Response Framework) outlines the response activities for a radiation emergency. Coordinating with emergency support functions to provide guidance regarding health and safety precautions, and conducting medical response operations will be especially important.

To get started: Public Health Planning for Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism

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Emergency Public Information and Warning

Effective and timely communication will play a vital role during a radiation emergency. Communication after a radiation event must address the public's concerns using simple and concise messages. Radiation is an unfamiliar hazard to many, and understanding the threat, as well as knowing what protective measures to take will be a challenge for communicators.

To get started: CDC Communications Research

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Information Sharing

Sharing information regarding health and safety is especially important after a radiation emergency. Many response agencies will need information regarding safe operational areas, responder precautions, and the status of healthcare infrastructure. For some types of radiation emergencies, law enforcement agencies may require assistance and collaboration with health and medical agencies to assist in investigations and evidence collection.

To get started: Radiological/Nuclear Law Enforcement and Public Health Investigation Handbook

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Fatality Management

Depending on the scale of the radiation emergency, an event could result in radioactively contaminated decedents, through surface contamination, internal contamination, or shrapnel on or in decedents' bodies. Assisting in fatality management operations would include coordinating proper and safe recovery and handling of contaminated decedents.

To get started: Guidelines for Handling Decedents Contaminated with Radioactive Materials

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Mass Care

Mass care operations, including public sheltering, during a radiation emergency will present unique needs that require additional guidelines for shelter operations. Decontamination, registration and tracking, and risk communication are areas of mass care that may require specialized planning and training.

To get started: Report on the NACCHO/CDC Workshop on Operating Public Shelters During a Radiation Emergency

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Medical Surge

Managing medical surge in a radiation emergency will include facility preparation, surge capacity, health care provider safety, patient decontamination, triage and the medical management of life threatening injuries. Life-saving medical care should never be postponed because of concerns about contamination.

To get started: Radiological Terrorism: Medical Response to Mass Casualties

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Volunteer Management

Following a radiation emergency, volunteers may be called upon to assist with various response activities, including population monitoring. Volunteers may assist with entering registry information, directing people to additional services, or other support services. Some volunteers may have a radiation background and could assist with screening or other more technical tasks.

To get started: Virtual Community Reception Center

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Responder Safety and Health

Protocols to protect responder safety and health will depend on the responder's role in the response to a radiation emergency. Safety officers will be able to provide specific worker protections and precautions based on the situation. These could include barrier protection methods, such as N-95 respirators and gloves, as well as using radiation monitoring equipment, such as dosimeters or detection instruments.

To get started: Population Monitoring in Radiation Emergencies: A Guide for State and Local Public Health Planners

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