Government Prepares H1N1 Flu

Is Swine Flu Over?

Of late, the media has not been paying much attention to the swine flu virus. Does that mean the virus is gone? Does it mean the virus is something of the past? Not at all!
Just because the media has been busy with the health care reforms, Sotomayor confirmation and Michael Jackson stories, has not stoped the virus from working its way silently in the background. Out of the limelight, the virus continued its journey into the heartlands of American and further South into the Southern hemisphere, which is currently in Winter.
Mr. Daniel P. Mackie, Washoe County ‘s Mass Illness Response Coordinator said in a briefing today that there is fear that the looming avian flu (H5N1) and swine flu (H1N1) viruses may combine and mutate. If this happens, the virus may return by fall as a highly transmissible and high mortality virus. If this happens, the scenario will not be a pretty one nationwide.
The leaders of Northern Nevada ‘s Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters were meeting to evaluate current challenges and take stock of upcoming activities.
Based on this fear and uncertainty regarding the viruses, we will continue to provide updates on what the county is doing and what individuals can do as well.
By Gideon F. For-mukwai, CEM
Social Media Facilitator

Swine Flu Readiness

Earthquake Preparedness

Basic Emergency Preparedness

Washoe County Holds First Public and Private Partnership Exercise

Yesterday, Washoe County held its first regional Public and Private Partnership (PPP) training exercise at the Emergency Operations Center with 57 participants from local businesses and government.

The exercise simulated a pandemic influenza and work place violence scenario at a local casino in Reno.  It was the first time that both the public and private safety officers took part in a common exercise that tests the capability of both sides in working together.

Participants learned emergency response procedures and the critical importance of collaboration of both sectors in forging together to enable the city to bounce back after an incident that affects one of the major casino business operator.

FEMA encourages PPPs because they create a positive working environment during emergencies and disasters. General Benefits of PPPs are as follows:

• mutual trust and respect during a disaster
• effective response
• common understanding of procedures
• better communication
• speedy recovery

In future, we are going to see more of such exercises that help to strengthen community bonds.

Social Media Team

Nevada Has a Good Preparedness Initiative

Mr. Mark Malcom, president of Disaster Management International has said the people of Nevada have a good preparedness initiative underway for incidents involving mass fatalities.

After leading a two-day workshop at the Regional Emergency Operations Center in Reno, Mr. Malcom observed that unlike in other states, the people in Nevada have a good understanding and appreciation of the issues that relate to mass fatalities.

He said the workshop leaders did a good job of guiding the participants on areas of potential weaknesses during response to an incident involving mass fatalities. For more information about mass fatalities, check out the Mass Fatalities Institute.

“One of key goals of the workshop was to highlight the gravity of issues dealing with family members during a mass fatality incident,” he said.

A scenario-based table-top exercise was conducted at the end of the workshop to reinforce the concepts taught and to further engage the participants interactively in a disscussion about the challenges of response to a a mass fatality incident.

By Gideon F. For-mukwai, CEM

New Media Team