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Emergency Preparedness
The events and responses to the September 11, 2001, attacks prompted the implementation of more advanced Emergency Preparedness programs and measures. Today, the Emergency Preparedness division at Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health works with local, state and federal programs and entities to ensure safe measures and best practices are being followed prior to an emergency. In the event of an emergency, plans have been created to help a community recover from that emergency more quickly.
The department is trained in, and utilizes, the Incident Command System (ICS), as well as National Incident Management System (NIMS), to provide an efficient and standardized approach to the management of an incident.
SWC Region
Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health is part of the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Division for Southwest Central (SWC) North Dakota. This region also includes Western Plains Public Health (serving Morton, Mercer, Oliver, Grant and Sioux Counties), Emmons County Public Health and Kidder County District Health Unit.
A respiratory fit test tests the fit and seal an N95 respirator’s face piece makes on your face. This test may take up to 15 minutes and should be performed by staff annually. Individuals should only be wearing respirators they have been tested on.
Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health provides respiratory fit testing for a variety of organization's throughout the region:
- Assisted Living Facilities
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Supported Living Agencies
- Public Health Units
- First Responders
- Medical Providers
There are two types of fit tests: qualitative and quantitative. More information about the tests is located online through the Occupational Safety & Health Administration.
- Qualitative fit testing is a pass/fail test that uses your taste reaction to an irritant (bitters) to test leakage into a face piece. This test does not destroy the mask and staff will take their mask with them following the test.
- Quantitative fit testing uses a PortaCount machine to measure the actual amount of particulate leakage into the face piece, and does not rely on an individual’s sense of taste, smell or irritation. This test destroys the mask and masks will be discarded following the test.
Not everyone can get a good fit with one specific respirator. Upon completing the fit testing, each individual will need to know which make, model, style and size respirator works best with their face. These factors could change due to a variety of conditions:
- Significant weight gain/loss
- Major dental work
- Facial surgery
- Significant scarring in the area of the seal.
Please note that facial hair, such as a beard or goatee, likely will affect your respirator’s ability to protect you. Anything that serves as a barrier between your face and a respirator’s seal, or gets into the respirator’s valves, can allow contaminated air to leak into the respirator.
BBPH staff also provide 'Train the Trainer' opportunities that will train members of your organization to use the respirator fit testing equipment. These individuals may then request (or purchase their own) fit testing equipment for fit testing events.
Required Respirator Fit Test Event Paperwork
- Fit Testing Pre-Test Education Form
- OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire
- Fit Testing Check Out Form
- Fit Testing Block Schedule Form
- Sample Respiratory Protection Program Document (Word Document)
- How to Wear a Respirator Handout
- Qualitative Fit Testing Procedure and Checklist
- Quantitative Fit Testing Procedure and Checklist
- Respirator Fit Test Record
- Respiratory Protection FAQ
The Healthcare Preparedness Advisory Coalition (HPAC) is made up of government and private agencies in the Southwest Central Region of North Dakota and is lead by local public health. The coalition meets every other month, starting in January, and the group provides inside information, sharing and round table discussion.
The focus of the coalition is to provide support and education for participating entities to make our community better prepared and have the ability to respond to both natural and man-made disasters. Our top priorities are community preparedness, response and recovery. The coalition traditionally works together once a year on an emergency preparedness tabletop exercise focused on those priorities.
If your SWC healthcare organization is conducting tabletop or full scale preparedness exercises, EPR staff may be available to participate, monitor, or help walk your organization through certain aspects of the exercise(s). Contact SWC Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Crystalynn Kuntz (701-355-1546) for more information.
Please feel free to utilize the following templates for your exercises:
ICS forms are designed to assist emergency response personnel in the use of ICS and corresponding documentation during incident operations.
Preparedness Exercise Assistance
If your SWC healthcare organization is conducting tabletop or full scale preparedness exercises, EPR staff may be available to participate, monitor, or help walk your organization through certain aspects of the exercise(s). Contact SWC Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Crystalynn Kuntz (701-355-1546) for more information.
Please feel free to utilize the following templates for your exercises:
ICS forms are designed to assist emergency response personnel in the use of ICS and corresponding documentation during incident operations.
If you or your healthcare facility would like to participate in HPAC please call or email Crystalynn Kuntz.
When would a POD be open?
A POD would be created after a disaster event such as bioterrorism, when vaccines would need to be distributed to a large number of people. PODs may serve individuals on a first-come, first-served basis, or can be created to serve appointment times.
Where are local POD locations?
Due to the large area needed to effectively carry out a POD, the Bismarck Event Center may serve south Bismarck, while Century High School may serve north Bismarck. Additional locations may be utilized depending on need. Specific location information would be shared in communications about the event.
How does a POD operate?
There are four steps needed to navigate through a POD:
- Fill out a form - You will list each person in your family/group.
- POD staff will review the form - Upon completion they will direct you to the next appropriate station.
- Turn in your form - You will receive appropriate medicine or vaccine.
- Exit the POD - If given medication, begin taking after leaving the POD.
Note: Vaccination monitoring may occur at the end of a POD, resulting in a 15-minute (or longer) monitoring period.
What Should I Bring to the POD?
- Even though it is not necessary, if you have a driver’s license, please bring it with you. A driver’s license may help speed the demographic collection process.
- Adults may pick up medication for other members of their family. If a vaccine is being given, all family members will need to come to the POD.
- For children, please bring weight, age, health information, drug allergies and a list of current medications.
- For adults, please bring health information, drug allergies and a list of current medications.
- PODs may be crowded and you may have to stand in line, or wait in a vehicle, for a while. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring water, snacks or other comfort items you might need.
- If you have difficulty standing in line or have additional special needs, people will be there to assist you. For help, please make contact with a staff member at the event.
Mobile Distribution
Organizations may also sign up for mobile distribution, giving an organization the option to send one or few people to the POD, retrieving supplies, and then distributing those supplies at their organization site. Contact the SWC EP Regional Coordinator for more information.
North Dakota Health Alert Network
The North Dakota Health Alert Network (NDHAN) website is a source for current information about health emergencies. The NDHAN serves as a communication network among state and local public health agencies, healthcare providers, hospitals and emergency management officials. Established through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the NDHAN is part of the North Dakota Department of Health's Emergency Preparedness and Response program. The information provided on this website is based upon recommendations from the CDC and other health organizations. Please check often for the most up-to-date information. Membership to receive Health Advisories from the N.D. Health Alert Network (NDHAN) is by request only. Please click here to contact the Department Operations Center to sign-up.
There may be a time when an emergency takes place in our community due to a hazardous materials release including chemical, biological and/or radiological contaminants. In this example, the outside air quality may be affected to the point that it isn't safe to be outside or to evacuate. In a case like this it is usually safer to shelter-in-place until wind disperses and moves the material.
“Shelter in place” means selecting an interior room(s) or one without, or with few, windows. The below items should be available to you in a toolkit located in or near your shelter in place location:
- Plastic for windows
- Duct tape
- Towel for under doors
- Commercially processed bottled water and food that won't spoil
- Sanitation supplies
- Radio, flashlight, and extra batteries
- First aid kit
Burleigh County has developed resources for Sheltering In Place for you to view at your convenience. The City of Bismarck and Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health have worked in conjunction to create a short guide with tips for sheltering in place.
Resources
Preparing for a Disaster
It is good to be prepared for disasters that may strike your area. Having an emergency supply kit will help in that preparation. (It is suggested to plan for three days). Some suggested items are:
Minimum of 3-Day Food/Water Supply
- Canned and non-perishable food
- Water - 1 gallon of water per day/per person
- Baby formula and supplies
- Manual can opener
- Utensils to prepare, serve, eat meals
- Plates and bowls
- Unscented liquid household chlorine bleach (label should say it contains 8.25% of sodium hypochlorite) to make water safe during an emergency.
Health Supplies
- Minimum of 3-day supply of medicines and prescription medicine
- Medical Supplies (syringes, cane, hearing aids, extra batteries)
Personal Care Items
- Hand Sanitizer
- Soap
- Towels
- Toilet articles
- Blankets
- Containers for waste
- Baby wipes
Safety Supplies
- Filter masks or handkerchiefs
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
- Whistle
Electronics
- All Hazards Radio
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Radio (Battery-, solar-, or hand-crank powered)
- Cell phone chargers
Documents
- Insurance cards
- Immunization records
- Paperwork for any serious or on-going medical condition
- Family Emergency Plan (meeting location, directions for use, etc.)
- Contact Information
Miscellaneous
- Duct tape and scissors
- Garbage bags or plastic
- Multipurpose tool (containing knife, file, plyers, screwdriver, etc.)
- Extra cash
- Map of area
- Extra car/house keys
Children
- Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers, etc.)
- Games/activities
- Stuffed animal
Pets
- Water (Cats and dogs generally need 1 gallon for three days)
- Pet food
- Bowls or bottles
- Litter box
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
- Manual can opener
- Pet first aid book
- Leash, harness or carrier
- Pet toys
- Medicine and medical records
- Photo and description of pet(s)
- Feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, veterinarian telephone number
- Disaster Planning for Individuals with Special Needs Brochure
- Disaster Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities from the American Red Cross
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Crystalynn Kuntz
Emergency Preparedness Regional Coordinator
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Public Health
Physical Address
407 S 26th St.
Bismarck, ND 58504
Mailing Address
407 S 26th St
Bismarck, ND 58504
Phone: 701-355-1540Fax: 701-221-6883