NORAD Discussions

by Daniel Boatright, Ph.D.

In the fall of 2006, the SWCPHP was invited to participate in discussions with U.S. Northern Command, NORAD, regarding the potential role of the Centers for Public Health Preparedness in collaborating with NORTHCOM/NORAD in enhancing public health preparedness and readiness relative to issues such as pandemic influenza and other public health disasters. Dr Daniel Boatright, Director of the SWCPHP has subsequently participated in a number of NORTHCOM/NORAD conferences and events, most recently presenting in and completing the Homeland Defense Medical Executive at the request of the Defense Medical Readiness Training Institute. Pandemic Influenza planning and preparedness is a key area of concern for NORTHCOM/NORAD as well as other catastrophic events that could require Department of Defense involvement in support of state and local entities.

For more information on the Center's role in this and other events, please view the SWCPHP website.

Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) @ SWCPHP

by Tracey Burton, Instructional Coordinator

On August 21st and 22nd, 2007 the Southwest Center for Public Health Preparedness hosted 4 Radiological Assistance Program sessions, at the Center offices in Oklahoma City. The training, developed and delivered by the Department of Energy (DOE)/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), provides education to help prepare fire and police personnel, emergency and first responders, public health administration and support staff to respond to radiological events and/or exposure.
It addresses such topics as Radiation Basics and Concepts, Radiological/Nuclear Devices, Methods to Protect Against Exposure to Radiation, Common Commercial Sources of Radiation, Exposure Limits, Types of Radiological Hazards, and Biological Effects of Radiation. More than 50 individuals from around the State were in attendance.
Click HERE for more information on the Radiological Assistance Program.

ITEMC Meeting at SWCPHP

by Tracey Burton, Instructional Coordinator

On August 16th, 2007 Kaw Nation hosted their monthly Intertribal Emergency Management Coalition (ITEMC) gathering to discuss pandemic flu plans, disaster declarations, RHINO and upcoming ICS training. Allan Harder, Linda Soos, Julie Alvarez and Tamara Copeland addressed the group which gathered for the day long meeting at the Southwest Center for Public Health Preparedness in Oklahoma City.

For more information on ITEMC, contact Gary Robison, Emergency Manager - Kaw Nation at 580-362-1232 or by email at info@itemc.org.

SWCPHP Podcast Series - redux

SWCPHP has re-launched our podcast feed. The new subscription feed has been posted on several online podcast directory sites.

Please follow the instructions below to subscribe to our episodes.

1. Launch iTunes.
2. In the Advanced menu, select Subscribe to Podcast.
3. Enter the following URL in the text box: http://www.swcphp.ouhsc.edu/podcast/subscribe.xml
4. Click OK.

iTunes displays your Podcast playlist, which shows all of the podcasts to which you have subscribed. Next to the new podcast subscription, you should see an orange circle, which indicates that iTunes is downloading your most recent episode. When the orange circle disappears, you should be able to see your podcast title, a list of all the episodes referenced in your feed, and a check next to the most recent episode, indicating that it has been successfully downloaded. Double-click on the episode to play it in iTunes.

If the orange circle is replaced by an "i" in a black circle, iTunes encountered a problem with your feed or episode. Please refer to http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/podcastsfaq.html for more information, should you encounter technical issues.

SWCPHP and OK Career Techs

by Tracey Burton, Instructional Coordinator

The Southwest Center for Public Health Preparedness and Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education have partnered together in order to deliver quality all-hazards preparedness training, free of charge, to students from various backgrounds including health care providers, high school and college students, business and industry personnel, and the general public.
Using Career Tech’s eLearning Courseware, the Southwest Center is able to provide life-long learning opportunities to students from all walks of life, and specifically to the public health workforce to better prepare for times of crisis.
Please visit our website and check out our current courses at http://www.swcphp.ouhsc.edu/.

SWCPHP Joins in with LANL's HazMat Challenge

by Paul Woodson, Ph.D.
SWCPHP Administrator

July 30 through August 3, 2007 The Southwest Center for Public Health Preparedness sponsored the Midwest City, Moore, and Norman Fire Departments to compete in the 11th Annual Los Alamos National Laboratories HazMat Challenge in New Mexico. This is the fourth year SWCPHP has had Oklahoma representation at the challenge.

There were thirteen participants this year with the following honors for Oklahoma particpants:

• Midwest City won first place in the technical division and first place in overall performance
• Moore claimed second place in the technical events and seventh in the overall competition
• Norman placed fourth in the technical events and sixth in the overall competition

This was the first year since the challenge was begun that one team (Midwest City) won both first place awards in the same year.

Dr. Paul Woodson, SWCPHP Center Administrator was on-site and assisted LANL personnel as an evaluator at one of the challenge scenario events. The national recognized and unique setting at LANL has multiple exercise scenarios with leaking railcars, clandestine laboratory mock-ups, wrecked semi-transports, confined space facilities, hazardous valve tree leak mock-ups, conditions with chemical, biological, and/or radiological exposure conditions, and many other actual situations that utilize real life-sized props each requiring HazMat responders to function in level A personal protective equipment suits in timed and critical evaluated assignments.

Click HERE for more information about LANL's HazMat Challenge.