263901 Public Health Workforce Function and Preparedness in a Disaster: The Case of Hurricane Irene

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 2:50 PM - 3:10 PM

David M. Abramson, PhD MPH , National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia University, New York, NY
Rebecca May, MPA , National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia University, New York, NY
Jonathan J. Sury, MPH, CPH , National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia University, New York, NY
Maegan Berliner, MPH , National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia University, New York, NY
Karen L. Levin, RN, MPH, MCHES , National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia University, New York, NY
Disasters and complex emergencies test the functionality, capacity and capabilities of public health organizations. In 2010, Hurricane Irene threatened the US east coast as a Category 3 storm. In response to potential flooding, electrical outages, and critical infrastructure damage, public health emergency plans were activated throughout the area. Over 55 hospitals and nursing homes in New York State evacuated voluntarily or under mandatory order. The storm presented a unique opportunity to examine the public health workforce response. This study's objectives were to: (1) assess the workforce's response to a complex emergency; (2) consider the workforce's ability and willingness to report to work; (3) examine their functional roles; and (4) explore public health's capacity to respond to such an event. The study was designed by a university-based team at Columbia University's Regional Learning Center in collaboration with the local public health agencies in a 28-county area encompassing New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The study yielded 1,493 responses, 43% of the surveyed public health workforce. Overall, 41% of the workforce responded over the initial weekend, with the greatest response from senior-level officials (74%). A large number (38%) received overtime pay; approximately 22% of the workers who were asked to report were unable or unwilling to do so. A measure of “unmet need for training” was developed, based upon exposure to training within specific functional areas and the efficacy of such training. The project has served health agencies as an assessment of workforce function and a guide to future workforce development.

Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadership
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Public health administration or related administration

Learning Objectives:
Analyze the challenges associated with public health response and function in a disaster. Describe how to capitalize on a public health deployment to develop a measure of training needs.

Keywords: Workforce, Disasters

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal investigator of this project
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.