Western New York Public Health Alliance Rural Advanced Practice Center

1. Western New York Public Health Alliance Rural Advanced Practice Center 1

2. WNYPHA: APC focus • Evacuation/migration of populations from urban to rural areas and prediction of post-event population surge • Cross border issues including legal, jurisdictional, mutual aid, constraints to collaboration, and ongoing activities • Training needs of public health/emergency planners relevant to evacuation, rural issues • Partnering and collaboration with new and diverse partners

3. Urban to Rural Evacuation Modeling • Map-based tool to predict community population surge following potential urban disasters. • Planning tool for preparedness planners, and as an educational tool to inform policy makers about the issue of population surge resulting from urban evacuation. • Includes information on the number of likely evacuees, evacuee demographic information (such as presence of children, disability status, etc.), and local planning information (number of hospital beds, hotel rooms, etc.) • National expansion completed, includes the 100 largest urban centers in the U.S. and all state capitals • Current modeling includes surrounding counties within a 150-mile radius. http://www.cei.psu.edu/evac/

4. Urban to Rural Evacuation Modeling Scenario Specific Variables: • Based on the nature of the precipitating event – how much “push” does it have, and how many urban citizens are likely to evacuate as a result? • Current scenarios: dirty bomb, pandemic flu, industrial/chemical Demographics Variables: • Based on the demographics of the urban area, who is more or less likely to evacuate? For example, people with children are more likely to evacuate; people with disabilities are less likely to evacuate, etc. Pull Variables: • Based on known information about counties surrounding the urban area, which will be more or less attractive to evacuees? Features that make a county more attractive include things such as road networks into the county, number of hotel rooms attractive include things second homes, family networks, etc.

5. Urban to Rural Evacuation: Planning Guide • Based on findings from expert panel convened in February 2008 • Tool currently released and available in hard-copy or for download • Includes recommendations for pre-event planning, event response, and post-event recovery

6. Urban to Rural Evacuation: 2008 – 2009 Objectives • Enhancement of Evacuation Modeling Tool Features • Custom analysis (selection of radius, block areas) • Ability to save/print reports • Usability Testing and User Feedback • Refinement of Evacuee Demographic Predictions of Evacuation Modeling Tool and Data Updates • (age, household composition, special medical needs, language, disability, etc.) • Production of User Guides and Promotional Materials; Stakeholder Outreach

7. Guide to Multi-jurisdictional Collaborations • Based on survey assessment of issues related to international, inter-state, intra-state cooperation • Focus on legal, mutual aid, cross border activities, form and function of public health systems, and communication • Online version is 61 pages, Appendix with 75+ files • http://sphhp.buffalo.edu/cb_guide/ • 2008 – 2009 Objectives • Expanded content • Format revisions • Addition of hot-links and search capability • Ability to track usage

8. Regional Collaboration • Regional and State Mass Fatality Workgroups • Guidelines for convening partners and facilitation of discussion-based workshop (WNY) • Survey of cemeteries to assist in surge planning • Pandemic Flu Mass Fatality Planning Guidance Document (NYSDOH) • NYSDOH Plan Development Workgroup • WNYPHA APC lead for development of “Empire” County Health Emergency Preparedness Plan • Based on Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) Criteria • Linked to PPHR and APC tools, and NYSDOH BT Grant Deliverables and guidance documents • Alternate Care Site Pilot Project (Urban/Suburban Area)

9. Hepatitis A POD • Lessons Learned from the Erie County Hepatitis A POD event (February 2008) • Mass vaccination/prophylaxis campaign for 10,000+ • Required collaborative effort from all 8 WNY counties, NYSDOH, Erie County Medical Reserve Corps, and many other partners • Link to webcast available at: http://www.wnypha.org/Home/Programs/AdvancedPracticeCenter/Tools

10. Hepatitis A Follow-up POD • September 2008 • Mass vaccination/prophylaxis campaign designed for 5,000+ • Extensive pre-planning and training • Utilized Drive-Through format • Evaluation • Qualitative: surveys of attendees and staff/volunteers • Guidance for AAR

11. Tools & Products for 2008-2009 • Expansion, revision, and marketing of previous products • Satellite Broadcast • New Products • Elected Official Toolkit • Migrant Worker Planning Guide • Hep A POD documents

12. Elected Official Toolkit • Topics include: Public Health Emergency Preparedness, role of the LHD in emergency response, capacity of the LHD, and critical gaps in public health infrastructure that exist. • Contents will include: templates for a letter of invitation, list of suggested invitees, agenda, sign-in sheet, complete Power Point presentation, talking points, and list of items to include in packet, and additional resources

13. Migrant Worker Planning Guide • Purpose • Unknown population surge • Unique populations with cultural, language barriers, etc. • Extensive literature review • Development of discussion guide • Convene expert panel • Emergency planners, representation from migrant communities, social service agencies • Develop planning guidelines

14. Questions?? Tracy Fricano Chalmers Project Manager, WNYPHA Rural APC tracy.chalmers@erie.gov (716) 961-6865 www.wnypha.org