LHD Rad Response Template
Overview



Previously provided “Empire County” AllHazards Public Health Emergency
Preparedness and Response Plan
Radiological Response was not included in
this plan.
DOH is Planning to Deliver:

Updated Empire County Plan Template ... to
include Template for Rad Response Annex

Guidance for Implementation

Review Tool
Format
Brief discussion in main plan template.
Primarily direct to Annex.
Annex has a brief procedure consisting two
parts
1. General Planning & Preparedness
2. Response Actions
Supporting information is sorted into
Appendices
Principles and Actions for LHD
Radiological Response
As an aid for balancing the priorities of the many
stakeholders involved, key response
principles and actions were developed to
ensure uniform decision making during
template development.
Depending on the specific LHD's role and
capabilities, some actions may be taken by
other organizations in their specific incident
response plans.
Principles of Radiological Response
A key resource for implementing this response
annex is the New York State Department of
Health's Bureau of Environmental Radiation
(BERP), which is the state’s lead agency for
radiological emergency response.
Fear of radiation is high, perhaps higher than
with other hazardous materials.
The first priority is to save lives: respond to
and treat the injured first.
Principles of Radiological Response
Initial population protective actions and
monitoring activities should focus on
preventing acute radiation health effects.
Contamination with radioactive materials is
not immediately life-threatening.
Radiological decontamination
recommendations differ from those for
chemical agents.
Principles of Radiological Response
Scalability and flexibility are an important
part of the planning process.
Law enforcement agencies will be involved
in response to a radiological terrorism
incident.
First responders and local officials may not
be aware initially that a radiation incident
has occurred.
LHD Response Actions
1 - Liaison with NYSDOH Bureau of
Environmental Radiation Protection
(BERP)
2 - Ensure Provision of Health and Medical
Services
3 - Contribute to Worker Health and Safety
4 - Ensure Emergency Shelters are Safe and
Services are Accessible to Special
Populations
LHD Response Actions
5 - Coordinate Biological/Environmental
Sampling
6 - Ensure Environmental Health
7 - Conduct Population Monitoring
8 - Develop Health Messages
Supporting Appendices
A - List of References Used in Plan Development
B - Useful Websites
C - Community Reception Center Procedure
D - RAD-320: Radiological Emergencies (From NYSDOH
Environmental Health Manual)
E - Contact & Qualification Lists
F - Resource Lists
G - Glossary of Terms
H - Public Communications
I - Radiation Dose Records for County Workers and
Volunteers
J - Responder Protective Actions
K - Public Protective Actions
L - Checklists
M - Medical Aspects of Radiological Incidents
Appendix C
Most extensive
Appendix is the
CRC Procedure
Based on CDC
Model
Very similar to CRC
procedure used
during Empire '09
ICS Management Structure for CRC
Issues Being Worked
• Template being developed without
integration with a County-wide radiological
response framework. Such a framework is
to be developed by NYSOEM.
• Many reviewers do not have a common
view of the scope of the document due to
divergent viewpoints of the abilities,
capabilities and responsibilities of the LHDs
during a radiological emergency.
Questions or Feedback?
Anthony R. DeAngelo, CHP
Associate Radiological Health Specialist
NYSDOH-BERP
518-402-7556
ard06@health.state.ny.us