The report concludes that the 2009-H1N1 flu is unlikely to resemble the deadly flu pandemic of 1918-19. But in contrast to the benign version of swine flu that emerged in 1976, the report says the current strain “poses a serious health threat” to the nation. The issue is not that the virus is more deadly than other flu strains, but rather that it is likely to infect more people than usual because it is a new strain against which few people have immunity. This could mean that doctors’ offices and hospitals may get filled to capacity.

Report Bullet points suggest that H1N1 could:

• Produce infection of 30–50% of the U.S. population this fall and winter, with symptoms in approximately 20–40% of the population (60–120 million people), more than half of whom would seek medical attention.

• Lead to as many as 1.8 million U.S. hospital admissions during the epidemic, with up to 300,000 patients requiring care in intensive care units (ICUs). Importantly, these very ill patients could occupy 50–100 percent of all ICU beds in affected regions of the country at the peak of the epidemic and could place enormous stress on ICU units, which normally operate close to capacity.

• Cause between 30,000 and 90,000 deaths in the United States, concentrated among children and young adults. In contrast, the 30,000–40,000 annual deaths typically associated with seasonal flu in the United States occur mainly among people over 65. As a result, 2009-H1N1 would lead to many more years of life lost.

• Pose especially high risks for individuals with certain pre-existing conditions, including pregnant women and patients with neurological disorders or respiratory impairment, diabetes, or severe obesity and possibly for certain populations, such as Native Americans.

To see the complete report, click here.

These viruses were found in three patients who did not have severe disease and all have recovered. Investigations have not found the resistant virus in the close contacts of these three people. The viruses, while resistant to oseltamivir, remain sensitive to zanamivir.

Close to 1000 pandemic H1N1 viruses have been evaluated by the laboratories in the Global Influenza Surveillance Network for antiviral drug resistance. All other viruses have been shown sensitive to both oseltamivir and zanamivir. WHO and its partners will continue to conduct ongoing monitoring of influenza viruses for antiviral drug resistance.

Therefore, based on current information, these instances of drug resistance appear to represent sporadic cases of resistance. At this time, there is no evidence to indicate the development of widespread antiviral resistance among pandemic H1N1 viruses. Based on this risk assessment, there are no changes in WHO’s clinical treatment guidance. Antiviral drugs remain a key component of the public health response when used as recommended.

Current pandemic stage 6 as of June 11, 2009

USFA Press Office: (301) 447-1853

Washington DC- In an effort to send a common message the USFA is working

with Department of Homeland Security Office of Health Affairs and other Federal partners (FICEMS) to issue an EMS, Medical First Responder and 9-1-1 specific guidance document to the Nation’s first responders. This is a dynamic process and we will provide additional information as soon as we receive the appropriate agency(s) approval. In addition to the CDC link http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ take a look at www.EMS.gov for Pandemic Influenza specific information:

“We are currently monitoring the H1N1 Flu information as it comes forward from the CDC and DHS medical experts. As a part of FEMA and DHS, the USFA is seeking to ensure our nation’s firefighters and their families are provided the information they need to stay safe,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Glenn A. Gaines. “We know as firefighters and EMTs called to emergency medical responses and other emergencies across the nation, there is always the concern for secondary exposures to fellow firefighters and families as firefighters return to their homes. As conditions change, we will work closely with you to ensure firefighters and EMTs have the most current information.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s EMS Pandemic Influenza Guidelines for Statewide Adoption and Preparing for Pandemic Influenza: Recommendations for Protocol Development and 9-1-1 Personnel and Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) are available online at www.ems.gov (Click on Pandemic News). State and local EMS agencies should review these documents for additional useful information.

For the most current information regarding the outbreak of H1N1 Flu, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/SwineFlu/

While the World Health Organization (WHO) raised it’s global threat level to 4 yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has indicated an increased level of swine flu cases to 91 as of today.  These cases span 10 states and includes the first reported U.S. death from the virus.  To keep track on this potentially emerging pandemic, the following two websites are being provided in addition to the WHO site.

CDC  http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

http://www.ems.gov/

The second phase of the fire recreation will center around the development of the models for integration in a real time environment.  It is our hope that the final product will help fire fighters better understand the complexities of fighting fires under the conditions found in the Sofa Super Store.

Here are some updated images showing the progress of the development on the Sofa Super Store forensic animation.

NIMS expands on the original version released in March 2004 by clarifying existing NIMS concepts, better incorporating preparedness and planning and improving the overall readability of the document. The revised document also differentiates between the purposes of NIMS and the National Response Framework (NRF) by identifying how NIMS provides the action template for the management of incidents, while the NRF provides the policy structure and mechanisms for national-level policy for incident management.

“The National Incident Management System has been the single most significant improvement in incident management since the Department of Homeland Security was formed in 2003,” FEMA Administrator David Paulison said. “It has enhanced interoperability among emergency responders at all levels of government and is the product of a collaborative effort involving hundreds of emergency personnel from across the nation. We incorporated lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina, clarified incident command system concepts, increased emphasis on planning and mutual aid, expanded the intelligence/investigation function, and better aligned the NIMS document with the National Response Framework,” said Paulison.

With the oversight of FEMA, the newly released NIMS followed an extensive revision involving over 100 partners from all levels of government, private sector, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and subject matter experts representing a broad spectrum of emergency management and incident response disciplines. Throughout three official nationwide comment periods, FEMA reviewed nearly 6,000 comments from more than 280 individuals and organizations, including extensive review and recommendations made by the National Advisory Council (NAC).

The basic tenets of NIMS remain the same. There have been several improvements to the revised NIMS document which will aid in readability and usefulness of preparing, preventing, and responding to incidents. For example, the revised document places greater emphasis on the role of preparedness and has reorganized its components to mirror the progression of an incident. Recognizing the importance of private sector partners and NGOs in incident response, FEMA has ensured that those entities have been more fully integrated throughout NIMS. The new document is consistent with the NRF, and together they provide a single, comprehensive approach to incident management.

Further information on preparedness programs is available at www.dhs.gov and www.fema.gov.

Get the document by going to http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/NIMS_core.pdf

The Incident Management Systems Integration (IMSI) Division, formerly the NIMS Integration Center, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is pleased to announce the release of the FY 2008 NIMS Implementation Objectives for Healthcare Organizations. On September 16, 2006, IMSI released the FY 2007 NIMS Implementation Activities for Hospitals and Healthcare Systems, which were made up of 17 objectives (activities), of which four were required to be eligible for FY 2007 Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) funding by HHS.
IMSI and HHS have received many comments and suggestions regarding the 17 objectives. As a result, a healthcare working group—composed of Federal, State, local, and private sector stakeholders—was stood up to further define the objectives. From the existing objectives, the stakeholders identified 14 activities for FY 2008 and clarified language to ensure the 14 objectives are most applicable to healthcare organizations. These implementation objectives are intended for all hospitals regardless of size, location, or financial support.
As with the FY 2007 NIMS Implementation Activities for Hospital and Healthcare Systems we continue to strive towards a cohesive working relationship between hospitals and their respective local government, public health, and other emergency management and response agencies. Healthcare organizations are strongly encouraged to coordinate with local public health agencies to work through these implementation activities. The ASPR Program, administered through State Departments of Health, has clearly outlined the components that healthcare organizations are required to meet during the FY 2008 funding cycle. Developing a relationship with local public health and other emergency management agencies enables hospitals and healthcare systems to gain further insight regarding the availability of training as well as capabilities (equipment and procedures) provided by local agencies.
The 14 NIMS Implementation Objectives for Healthcare Organizations are as follows:
Adoption
− Adoption of NIMS
− Federal Preparedness Awards
Preparedness Planning
− Revise and Update Plans
− Mutual-Aid Agreements
Preparedness Training and Exercises
− IS 700 NIMS, ICS 100 and 200
− IS 800B NRF (National Response Framework)
− Training and Exercises
Communication and Information Management
− Interoperability incorporated into Acquisition Programs
− Standard and Consistent Terminology
− Collect and Distribute Information
Command and Management
− Incident Command System (ICS)
− Include Incident Action Planning and Common Communication Plans
− Adopt Public Information principles
− Public Information can be gathered, verified, coordinated and disseminated
Questions and comments can be directed to the Incident Management Systems Integration Division at: FEMA-NIMS@dhs.gov or 202-646-4390.
*There is no requirement for healthcare personnel who have completed IS-800A/B – National Response Plan to also complete IS-800.B – national Response Framework. It is suggested that healthcare personnel complete IS-800.B – National Response Framework in order to be informed of current information regarding response for all levels of government, as well as the private sector. It is the decision of the healthcare organization’s administration to issue this requirement to staff.

As part of our Nation’s efforts to strengthen catastrophic response capabilities in line with the National Incident Management System (NIMS), FEMA’s Incident Management Systems Division has released the finalized Incident Command System (ICS) Core Competencies.

In February 2005, the Incident Management Systems Division (IMSD) gathered together several emergency management organizations to begin collaborating on NIMS implementation. From that meeting it became clear that core competencies for Incident Command System (ICS) positions were necessary. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) took the lead to develop competencies for all ICS positions. In fall of 2005, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) added the development of wildland fire specific position competencies. USFA and NWCG prepared the ICS Competencies for release. These competencies were announced online by FEMA for public comment in April of 2007. The public comment period
ended on March 25, 2007.

In the spring of 2007 the NWCG brought together numerous interagency subject matter expert groups to review the competencies and behaviors and begin revision of NWCG position task books. During these workshops additional edits to the competencies and behaviors were discovered and were proposed and accepted by the Competency Change Management Board
(CCMB). A need was identified to create the CCMB. They met in August 2007 for adjudication of all comments.

The ICS Core Competencies can be found at http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/ics_competencies.shtm. This link also includes important CCMB documents that provide general information,
processes, and key messages.