U.S. Fire releases pandemic guidelines and best practices for first responders | 12.15.2006 | 04:25:35 | Views: 5267 | ID: December 15 '06: The U.S. Fire Administration has released a new pandemic flu best practices set of guidelines for first responders, and all other service agencies such as police, EMS and public works to help them prepare, the administration's website announced earlier this month. Overall, the message from the USFA was self-reliance of local and community responder agencies. "Anticipate not having access to mutual aid or state/federal support during an outbreak. Local, state, and national response communities may be directly affected by the pandemic and not have the resources to send support to your community," the release said. Concerning best practices, the USFA said that most important was the coordination and integration of pre-existing plans in local communities and states. "Be sure to include Public Health, Emergency Management, Health Care, and Emergency Medicine in your meetings," the release read. Because their is an anticipated 30 to 40 percent reduction of the workforce, alternative work schedules and substitute workers were suggested as mitigatory steps that can reduce the impact if a pandemic flu were to strike. Other preparations included stockpiling essential items to be passed out to affected communities, the establishment of emergency protocols for first responder agencies, and the establishment of disinfecting and decontamination policies.
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