Disaster Lit® Database Daily Updates

Disaster Lit® Database Daily Updates

Disaster Response: HHS (Health and Human Services) Should Address Deficiencies Highlighted by Recent Hurricanes in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

09/20/2019 12:00 AM EDT

Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Published: 9/20/2019. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to review the federal public health and medical services response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in 2017. This 53-page report examines the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’s actions and leadership of this response, and identifies several shortcomings in HHS’s leadership. While the scale, location, and timing of these storms complicated response efforts, the deficiencies identified were in many cases a function of preparedness policies, or lack thereof. (PDF)

What Does the Next 25 Years Hold for Global Health?

09/17/2019 12:00 AM EDT

Source: Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH). Published: 9/17/2019. This 30-page report is an analysis of survey data looking at 25 years of progress in and the future challenges for tropical medicine and global health. According to its findings, the biggest challenges to global health are the climate crisis; drug resistance, including antimicrobial resistance and multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis; and emerging epidemics. Mass migration, and the health and nutrition implications of climate-ravaged food supplies were also highlighted as major challenges to global health. (PDF)

Proven Practices for Puerto Rico Address Data Management

06/27/2019 12:00 AM EDT

Source: Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). Published: 6/27/2019. The Puerto Rico Address Data Working Group, formed on March 20, 2019, produced an inventory of federal agency proven practices for collecting, managing, and sharing Puerto Rico addresses. This 10-page report is a summary of these proven practices presented to the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)'s Address Subcommittee for its consideration as recommended proven practices to help in disaster recovery and preparedness. As Hurricane Irma headed for the U.S. island territories in the Caribbean in September 2017, Federal Emergency Management Agency staff realized that the absence of island-wide authoritative address data would require modifications of standard geospatial practices and procedures to carry out response and recovery efforts. (PDF)

Guide to Developing a Hazmat Training Program: General Awareness, Function-Specific, Safety, Security Awareness, and In-Depth Security Training

10/01/2018 12:00 AM EDT

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Published: 10/2018. This 17-page guidance document explains the training requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), identifies those employees who must be trained, and provides a tool to help hazmat employers determine what type of training and training environment may be best for their employees. Hazmat transportation includes handling, moving, and responding to emergency situations while hazardous materials are in transportation. (PDF)