On April 25 we wrote an article about Swine flu and wildfire, and how a possible pandemic would affect firefighters and their response to large incidents. Since then we have discovered a plan for such an event on the Wildfire Lessons Learned Center web site. It is titled Avian Flu Pandemic Response and Preparedness Plan For the Federal Wildland Fire Agencies.
Here is a list of some of the information included in the plan. Some of the data is in appendices that are listed but are not part of the plan on the web site.
- Information on the types of incidents wildland firefighting personnel could expect to encounter during with avian influenza or pandemic influenza
- Medical requirements and procedures for emergency responders including required vaccinations and medical screening
- Lists of medical supplies, unique to influenza response, needed to be stocked in local and national fire caches including “Push-Packs” that can be quickly deployed
- Required PPE
- Situational awareness and PPE training for responders
- Incident Base Hygiene Plan including decontamination procedures
- Information on how employees can refuse an assignment
I have inserted here a few interesting bits of the plan.
These—and Similar Assignments—Should NOT Be Accepted By Wildland Firefighters
- Provide direct patient care and movement.
- Handle or clean-up human waste.
- Move or handle deceased humans.
- Handle, bag, or dispose of biohazard-medical waste.
- Provide decontamination outside of routine base camp related functions.
- Provide hazardous material services outside of agency policy.
Risk Management
Employees have the right to a safe workplace—as defined in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations (contained in 29CFR1960.46).
Every effort will be made throughout the life cycle of an incident to ensure the safety of those who assist with an avian influenza or a pandemic incident.
Employees may disobey orders only if the imposed danger meets all of these three criteria:
- The threat is imminent,
- The threat poses a risk of death or serious bodily injury,
- The threat cannot be abated through normal procedures.
If an employee believes an assignment meets all three of these criteria (above) for refusal, he or she should follow the guidelines established within this plan, or in the Incident Response Pocket Guide.
There are several scenarios in which the above guidelines could come into play, including refusing to travel or accept an assignment to a large incident during a pandemic.
Vaccinations
All response personnel should receive a seasonal influenza vaccination as well as a tetanus vaccination.
Antiviral medications–The decision regarding the necessity for antiviral inoculation during National Response Plan assignments or tasking would be deferred to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In general, the CDC states that “direct contact” with infected poultry or pandemic flu patients could necessitate the use of antivirals as a preventative measure.
National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC)
If national resource shortages occur, NMAC will coordinate with GACC to establish and manage resource requests and create alternative strategies for responding to emergencies. To maximize use of all available resources, States and local governments will be represented in national planning efforts. Wildland fire assignments occurring during a threatened or ongoing pandemic will not be viewed as routine. They will be viewed as atypical—with deliberate considerations and evaluations of risk, response, and contingency.
The plan does not address any difficulties in mobilizing for fires or in finding enough firefighters that are willing and/or able to respond to a wildfire during a pandemic or to a pandemic-related all-hazard incident, except for stating that NMAC will “create alternative strategies”.
Wildfire Today has learned, however, that there has been talk about “sequestering” incident management teams if we get into a serious pandemic situation. This would have the benefit of isolating the team members from exposure to a virus, while keeping them healthy and able to respond to an incident.
Today the Department of Interior sent a memorandum to their Bureau and Office Heads about ongoing H1N1 related activities. Some excerpts:
- Bureaus and offices should now be initiating a heightened level of employee awareness and prevention programs, in accordance with Appendix F of the DOI Pandemic Influenza Plan. The Office of Occupational Health and Safety will provide technical expertise and additional guidance as may become available from the Centers for Disease Control.
- Acquisition should be underway to ensure that supplies are available to promote hand hygiene and infection control in the workplace, including disinfectant soap and/or hand sanitizers and supplies to disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
- Using the “Worksheet for Calculating Stockpiling Needs for Pandemic Influenza,” which is attached, Bureau and Office Emergency Coordinators have quantified requirements for supplies required to implement mitigation strategies, including personal protective equipment and antiviral medication to protect employees in high risk occupational settings and selected medium risk settings. Action should be initiated to ensure there are adequate resources and stockpiles of materials to protect employees during initial response activities.
- Bureaus and offices should promote action to implement telework agreements and to ensure readiness of systems for increased telework activity. Further guidance from the Office of Personnel Management is expected shortly on this and other Federal employee issues.
