Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  Rural Healthcare Disparity in America

  For decades our Group has confronted this critical issue in Florida and it is well known in all Rural Communities throughout our Nation. Craig Fugate is well aware of the instance of 4 Hurricanes cris-crossing the section of Polk County Florida in one short period. The community was ill prepared to handle such. The same is true on a daily basis for ordinary Healthcare access and delivery in our Rural Communities. ...more »

  For decades our Group has confronted this critical issue in Florida and it is well known in all Rural Communities throughout our Nation. Craig Fugate is well aware of the instance of 4 Hurricanes cris-crossing the section of Polk County Florida in one short period. The community was ill prepared to handle such. The same is true on a daily basis for ordinary Healthcare access and delivery in our Rural Communities. There is no "Golden Hour" for heart attack or stroke victims in our Rural Communities.

  Elder Care Advocacy of Florida is working with 2 Global Pharmaceutical firms to address this issue.

  This falls under the National Framework under the provisions of Presidential Policy Directive 8 and could benefit our Nation in this effort.

  Does FEMA have any interest in such? If not we shall continue to work with our Pharmaceutical organizations in the development in solutions for this critical need in our Nation today. We have been effective on a smaller scale in a local Florida area and have proven viability for such. While we would welcome Federal participation and collaboration we do not wish to become involved in a process that will delay implementation of the vital need for action.

  Please advise.

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  2 comments for Idea: Rural Healthcare Disparity in America

  Submitted by Community Member 15 days ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  Consolidation Of Resources

  As a responder to several incidents of national significance with FEMA, USFS and DMAT (Department of Health and Human Services), one common trait I have observed is the duplication of efforts and the lack of experience for some responders (IE No task book initiation for command and general staff position for NDMS responders). Between FEMA, USFS and NDMS, each have their own overhead teams, spend money on said teams ...more »

  As a responder to several incidents of national significance with FEMA, USFS and DMAT (Department of Health and Human Services), one common trait I have observed is the duplication of efforts and the lack of experience for some responders (IE No task book initiation for command and general staff position for NDMS responders).

  Between FEMA, USFS and NDMS, each have their own overhead teams, spend money on said teams but don't play well together and or adopt similar operating guidelines. This exacerbates the response expense, increases the delay in resource and supply ordering.

  It would be beneficial if we had one set of management teams, credentialed (reduce expense and streamline response) and limit the confusion for responders by providing the position training, thereby giving experience to inexperienced responders. Follow the example of the USFS and the trainee system. Their system works... FEMA and other federal agencies should partner together instead of re-inventing the wheel.

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  Submitted by jpricher 21 days ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  Identification of approved workers in a disaster

  As I watched the terror unfold in Boston I was alarmed that the workers were just wearing simple yellow vests that can be bought at Walmart and the ID tags were on a variety of lariats with the photo ID facing the owners body rather than the public.Lariats can be bought anywhere and any ID added. I believe that a specific vest in a color, fabric and design should be provided and available after passing a background check ...more »

  As I watched the terror unfold in Boston I was alarmed that the workers were just wearing simple yellow vests that can be bought at Walmart and the ID tags were on a variety of lariats with the photo ID facing the owners body rather than the public.Lariats can be bought anywhere and any ID added. I believe that a specific vest in a color, fabric and design should be provided and available after passing a background check and/OR a firefighter, nurse, Medic or MD status should be provided in order to prevent terrorists from infiltrating the site and causing even more casualties or removing paraphernalia that was used to cause the event. Any users who do not meet the above criteria and are found on site should be fined such as those impersonating a police officer. Realizing that this complicates things and even may prevent some persons from stepping in to help, there should be clauses in place for "other" parties to remove the injured from the scene that can avoid prosecution. Carrying an ID card or attaching information to a drivers license can be part of this procedure.

  God bless America!

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  6 comments for Idea: Identification of approved workers in a disaster

  Submitted by cch-llc 1 month ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  A new first aid training model in a post-9/11 world

  Given the likelihood of an increased volume of natural disasters, technological catastrophes, pandemics, and terrorist events it is time to reconsider our existing first aid training model. At present, the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association, routinely offer first aid training to first responders as well as to the general public. However, this approach is no longer enough. A key challenge is the small ...more »

  Given the likelihood of an increased volume of natural disasters, technological catastrophes, pandemics, and terrorist events it is time to reconsider our existing first aid training model. At present, the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association, routinely offer first aid training to first responders as well as to the general public. However, this approach is no longer enough. A key challenge is the small number of people who are trained to provide both medical and psychological intervention. We would be well served by using an effective training model use in public schools by local fire departments.A first aid training program should be incorporated into upper middle school curriculum with yearly recertification required. The proposed model should not be solely limited to medical first aid, but should also include training in psychological and mental health first aid. A basic premise of first aid is that appropriate, early intervention can mitigate functional impairment and reduce the potential for more serious and enduring health problems that require formal treatment. A comprehensive first aid program is critical as most natural and human-caused disasters result in a high incidence of psychological and not physical casualties. Just as medical first aid may save lives or offset more serious medical complications, psychological first aid has the potential to mitigate serious mental health consequences and build resilience. Moreover, delivery of psychological first aid in tandem with medical intervention would not only be feasible but highly desirable.

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  5 comments for Idea: A new first aid training model in a post-9/11 world

  Submitted by lmb 1 month ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  A plan to reduce gun violence in the US

  Major Topics Keep Situation in Perspective Reframe Discussion Public Education Engage Stakeholders Move Quickly Improve School Safety Reduce Youth Violence Prevent Suicide Check Backgrounds + Keep Records Control Manufacture + Sale Restrict Ownership Minimally Raise Price + Increase Cost of Illegal Gun Acquisition Train 4 Safety Report loss + theft of firearms Detect Incidents Store + Keep Arms ...more »

  Major Topics

  Keep Situation in Perspective

  Reframe Discussion

  Public Education

  Engage Stakeholders

  Move Quickly

  Improve School Safety

  Reduce Youth Violence

  Prevent Suicide

  Check Backgrounds + Keep Records

  Control Manufacture + Sale

  Restrict Ownership Minimally

  Raise Price + Increase Cost of Illegal Gun Acquisition

  Train 4 Safety

  Report loss + theft of firearms

  Detect Incidents

  Store + Keep Arms Safely

  Retrieve weapons from ineligible people

  Notice the Link Between Gun + Alcohol Abuse

  End Trafficking

  Provide Mental Health Services and Screen

  Use Medical Services to Enquire about Safety

  Assess Threats

  Provide for Patient Safety

  Counsel about Lethal Means

  Repair the Social Safety Net

  Tighten Rules for Mandatory Reporters

  Restore Community Oriented Policing

  Demonstrate Gun Owner and Retailer Responsibility

  Get Media Coverage Cooperation

  Improve Product Liability Laws

  Introduce Consumer Product Regulation and Safety Devices

  Use Biometrics to Control Who Can Shoot the Gun

  Require Liability Insurance

  Divest from Uncooperative Manufacturers

  Advertise for Public Health/Use Social Marketing

  Recognize the Prevalence of Evil

  Tighten Rules on Concealed Carry

  Reduce Violence Against Women

  Recognize Limits on Privacy Rights

  Conduct Research

  Reduce Political Contributions

  Use a Public Health Emphasis and Approach

  Consider Buy-Back Programs

  Use Police Enforcement, Security Guards, and Surveillance of Potentially Dangerous People and Groups

  Get Ready for New Challenges

  For a copy of the detailed plan, send an e-mail to mbrenman001@comcast.net

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  11 comments for Idea: A plan to reduce gun violence in the US

  Submitted by mbrenman001 4 months ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  Hurricane Sandy

  Proposed steps to aid in the rebuilding process follow: a.) Dry in roofs of structurally sound homes and businesses. b.) Provide power to structurally sound homes and businesses (Not through the existing electrical distribution systems within the homes and businesses). c.) ID badge all occupants and vendors working or living within affected areas. d.) Secure affected areas with the National Guard to prevent theft ...more »

  Proposed steps to aid in the rebuilding process follow:

  a.) Dry in roofs of structurally sound homes and businesses.

  b.) Provide power to structurally sound homes and businesses (Not through the existing electrical distribution systems within the homes and businesses).

  c.) ID badge all occupants and vendors working or living within affected areas.

  d.) Secure affected areas with the National Guard to prevent theft during the rebuilding process.

  e.) Get local building departments to modify their permit and inspection processes.

  f.) Distribute free water and free waterproof tarps with grommets and tie cords.

  g.) Prosecute scalpers.

  h.) Put one person in charge to write and implement policy which means they will need authority to approve or deny vendor payment.

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  6 comments for Idea: Hurricane Sandy

  Submitted by frank123456 4 months ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  Change FEMA

  Here's novel idea....Change the perception of what FEMA is supposed to be. Start putting the word out that FEMA is NOT there to provide people with emergency supplies before a disaster. Put the word out that FEMA is NOT responsible for their safety during and after a disaster. All of that is supposed to occur at the LOCAL level, and that includes homeowners taking responsibility for themselves. FEMA should also be ...more »

  Here's novel idea....Change the perception of what FEMA is supposed to be. Start putting the word out that FEMA is NOT there to provide people with emergency supplies before a disaster. Put the word out that FEMA is NOT responsible for their safety during and after a disaster. All of that is supposed to occur at the LOCAL level, and that includes homeowners taking responsibility for themselves. FEMA should also be there for short to perhaps medium term assistance and relief to individuals and businesses and perhaps to provide more substantial assistance to municipalities to rebuild infrastructure. FEMA is not responsible for the rebuilding of entire communities. Citizens as well as local and state governments are now expecting FEMA to take almost 100% care of them after a disaster. That is nonsense. .

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  8 comments for Idea: Change FEMA

  Submitted by greysave 5 months ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  Retired Homeland Security persons for Surge Capacity Force

  The current Surge Capacity Force requires current government workforce to volunteer for up to 45 days. Not many people can do that and fewer bosses would allow it. If you would allow recent DHS retirees into the SCF you can leverage all their experience, without salaries or missing the person from his regular job. I cannot leave my current job now but once I retire I will be a whole lot more flexible. Provide a place ...more »

  The current Surge Capacity Force requires current government workforce to volunteer for up to 45 days. Not many people can do that and fewer bosses would allow it. If you would allow recent DHS retirees into the SCF you can leverage all their experience, without salaries or missing the person from his regular job. I cannot leave my current job now but once I retire I will be a whole lot more flexible. Provide a place to sleep and maybe some perdiem and travel and you have a ready surge force.

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  7 comments for Idea: Retired Homeland Security persons for Surge Capacity Force

  Submitted by Community Member 6 months ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  Ice in plastic bottle

  frozen expandable plastic jug w/ straw for drinking water as ice melts. No water in ice chest ruining food. Dual use from ice

  1 comment for Idea: Ice in plastic bottle

  Submitted by davidmetevier 6 months ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  Navy ship with supplies

  Large navy ship on east and west coast and gulf near New orleans to respond to disasters

  2 comments for Idea: Navy ship with supplies

  Submitted by davidmetevier 6 months ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  AWGs from Drinkable Air

  A company down in Florida makes these AWGs, Atmospheric Water Generators, that provide pure clean water from the humidity in the air. They come in sizes from producing 8 gallons daily to 1000s of gallons daily. I think they can even be designed to run on solar power. FEMA should consider purchasing at least one unit to see how it easily it can be transported and set up for operation whenever and wherever the water source ...more »

  A company down in Florida makes these AWGs, Atmospheric Water Generators, that provide pure clean water from the humidity in the air. They come in sizes from producing 8 gallons daily to 1000s of gallons daily. I think they can even be designed to run on solar power.

  FEMA should consider purchasing at least one unit to see how it easily it can be transported and set up for operation whenever and wherever the water source has been compromised.

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  2 comments for Idea: AWGs from Drinkable Air

  Submitted by bcpkdelta2d 6 months ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  NEDOCS

  The National Emergency Department Overcrowding Score is a standard measure for hospital crowding.

  NEDOCS can be used to standardize surge plans for hospitals. Several leading hospitals around the country have already implemented surge plans based on NEDOCS.

  FEMA should adopt NEDOCS and use NEDOCS.org as a vehicle to organize all of USA's hospitals in times of regional crises.

  4 comments for Idea: NEDOCS

  Submitted by Community Member 10 months ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  Infragard EMP FBI Special interest Group

  With out electricy, destroyed by a solar flate or a terrrorist HIGH ALTITUDE Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse, (HEMP) how is ASPER planning to give guidance to communities and individuals,etc., since our society will be launched back into the 1800's.

  Add your comment for Idea: Infragard EMP FBI Special interest Group

  Submitted by jerrystolov 11 months ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  Emergency Healthcare and Public Health - Prevention

  Focussing on preventative care and prevention of debilitating diseases by having citizens make a concerted effort to take care of their physical and mental health. Promotional programs for the elderly, at-risk youth, children, single mothers, pregnant women, the poor, drug addicts, alcohol addicts, obese people, cancer and aids victims, which could be done through television in a very step-by-step simplified manner, and ...more »

  Focussing on preventative care and prevention of debilitating diseases by having citizens make a concerted effort to take care of their physical and mental health. Promotional programs for the elderly, at-risk youth, children, single mothers, pregnant women, the poor, drug addicts, alcohol addicts, obese people, cancer and aids victims, which could be done through television in a very step-by-step simplified manner, and reinforced in a positive and easy way. Assuring that people do not end up isolated and by themselves by encouraging community organizations to create therapy groups run by volunteers who are qualified, as well as alternatives for the elderly.

  I have an idea for the elderly to have telephones with large screens whereby information could be dispatched to them without them using a computer, in other words, from a preventative health provider using text data to a phone system with a large touch sensitive screen and that could be stored let us say at a maximum of 1000 pages of data and then backed up. They started having a system like this in France back in 1990 when I visited Paris I saw it and thought it was very interesting, but it was more for the general public with all kinds of information about the city in question. My idea's a little different. -Proposed by: June R Massoud, Computer Engineer

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  2 comments for Idea: Emergency Healthcare and Public Health - Prevention

  Submitted by junermassoud 11 months ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  Emergency Healthcare and Public Health - Storing Health Data

  A main repository with two backup computer servers for all citizens as patients in the US could be very helpful - for all their medical data. This repository could be organized by age group and geographical location. That way access to this repository would not be on a distributed system which might not be solid and reliable. Distributed systems in healthcare need to be handled with a lot of care, because you don't want ...more »

  A main repository with two backup computer servers for all citizens as patients in the US could be very helpful - for all their medical data. This repository could be organized by age group and geographical location. That way access to this repository would not be on a distributed system which might not be solid and reliable. Distributed systems in healthcare need to be handled with a lot of care, because you don't want the wrong people accessing data and changing it. Appropriate password assignment to healthcare workers across a distributed system should be organized on a flowchart so as to better manage who has access to a patient record and who is allowed to change it. Such information could be critical, from a medical perspective. -Proposed by: June R Massoud, Computer Engineer

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  1 comment for Idea: Emergency Healthcare and Public Health - Storing Health Data

  Submitted by junermassoud 11 months ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  Healthcare and Public Health Solutions to Existing Problems

  I have an idea for managing healthcare and public health. It's a human resource management idea. Here's what I think. FEMA should make an inventory of all public health employees and assign to each a set of responsibilities which would match the needs in public health emergencies, with healthcare workers' expertise. For instance, depending on the severity of a healthcare situation, it need not be dispatched to a doctor ...more »

  I have an idea for managing healthcare and public health. It's a human resource management idea. Here's what I think. FEMA should make an inventory of all public health employees and assign to each a set of responsibilities which would match the needs in public health emergencies, with healthcare workers' expertise. For instance, depending on the severity of a healthcare situation, it need not be dispatched to a doctor directly, if a nurse or doctor's assistant can handle it. Then the doctors and nurses could teach and train more people to be able to handle minor emergencies and low severity cases in health. Only the serious cases like with children, elderly, pregnant women or seriously ill individuals should go to doctors directly. In other words, have a good filtering system that would be effective. Furthermore, better diagnostic techniques which could be documented and used by nurses, nurses' aides, doctor assistants, as a manual for reference or online aid could be very practical. -Proposed by: June R Massoud, Computer Engineer

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  1 comment for Idea: Healthcare and Public Health Solutions to Existing Problems

  Submitted by junermassoud 11 months ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  Archiving documents at response/recovery PA field offices

  Develop and implement a standard protocol for electronic and hard copy document storage based on standard components of the PA program for use at all field offices. Deploy an archivist at the onset of a declared event to set up network files for electronic data storage and physical file storage areas for critical hard-copy documents. With the inevitable turnover of response/recovery personnel, being able to quickly access ...more »

  Develop and implement a standard protocol for electronic and hard copy document storage based on standard components of the PA program for use at all field offices. Deploy an archivist at the onset of a declared event to set up network files for electronic data storage and physical file storage areas for critical hard-copy documents. With the inevitable turnover of response/recovery personnel, being able to quickly access information and avoid rework would enhance efficiency and provide a more seamless transfer of knowledge. Basing the methodology on established parameters of the PA program would ensure that the protocol could be universally implemented and applied.

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  1 comment for Idea: Archiving documents at response/recovery PA field offices

  Submitted by sandra.heiss 11 months ago

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  Emergency Management, Healthcare and Public Health »

  Emergency Response Planning for State Buildings

  I have created an Emergency Repsonse Plan for the State of New Mexico. It has been used with complete success. Most State, County, City or Municipal buildings do not have such a plan in place for its employees and customers. The plan covers the following and more. 1. Purpose of the Emergency Response Plan: 2. Emergency Numbers 3. Incident Command Matrix 4. Evacuation for People with Disabilities 4.1. First Responder ...more »

  I have created an Emergency Repsonse Plan for the State of New Mexico. It has been used with complete success. Most State, County, City or Municipal buildings do not have such a plan in place for its employees and customers. The plan covers the following and more.

  1. Purpose of the Emergency Response Plan:

  2. Emergency Numbers

  3. Incident Command Matrix

  4. Evacuation for People with Disabilities

  4.1. First Responder

  4.2. Incident Commander

  4.3. Deputy Incident Commander

  4.4. Public Information Officer

  4.5. Floor Wardens

  4.6. Designated Areas

  4.7. First Responder Staging Area

  4.8. Primary and Secondary Bomb Devices

  5. Fire

  5.1. Fire Detection:

  5.2. Fire Alarm:

  5.3. Bomb Threat:

  5.3.1. Phone Threat Checklist

  5.3.2. Bomb Threat Check List

  5.3.3. Written Threat or Threatening Package

  5.3.4. Bomb Threat Evacuation Check List

  5.3.5. Assessing Credible Threat Related to Suspicious Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Letter or Package

  6. Evacuation Evaluation Check List

  7. Office and Front Desk Protocol

  8. Medical Emergency or Injury

  8.1. Heart Attack Warning Signs

  8.2. Stroke Warning Signs

  9. Building Evacuation, Routes, and Designated Area

  10. Power Outage

  11. Severe Weather / Natural Disasters / Civil Disturbance

  11.1. Flood

  11.2. Severe Weather

  11.3. Earthquake

  11.4. Civil Disturbance

  11.5. Terrorist Attack

  11.6. Sheltering in Place / Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

  12. Fire Extinguisher

  13. Response to Disruptive, Threatening or Violent Behavior

  14. Domestic Violence

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  5 comments for Idea: Emergency Response Planning for State Buildings

  Submitted by michael.pino 11 months ago

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