Pandemic Planning Resources

It's been quite some time since the H1N1 pandemic has been the talk of the town in the emergency planning arena as well as in everyone's surrounding community.

At the current moment, we do know that countries such as China will be mass producing (or have already started) vaccines that may possibly minimise and hopefully eliminate the H1N1 strain of virus to some targetted groups of its population. Of course other major pharmacuetical companies are also still in perhaps the final testing phase.

While we await for a "cure" to fully crystallize, it is still important for emergency planners, business continuity specialists, as well as all relevant and responsible parties be aware of key resources that will enable them to better prepare and plan for a greater scale of outbreak in the near future.

As such, I've found the following link to be relatively comprehensive and useful for almost everyone to reference with, pertaining to pandemic planning:

Click Here for Pandemic Planning Resource

Always be prepared!

One Week On...

It's been nearly a week plus or so, since my country initiated DORSCON Alert "Orange" and since then, has already scaled down to Alert "Yellow".

What does this mean?

Essentially, national resources would not be as strained as before, with more of these resources and other government efforts devouted to other much more critical tasks. Internally as an organisation, you can definitely say that the fear and stress level has gone down at least a few notches down.

As a emergency response division within my organisation (in case you're not aware I'm currently in the aviation industry), resumption of daily training in terms of physical aspects has also gone back up to normal level as well. However, PPE items such as BA face masks still need to be constantly sterilised and witnessed by the Station Officer.

Yep, drills are back to ops normal now.

Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope everything turns out well.

H1N1 Scaling Down of Alert Level

Currently, WHO has signalled that the current strain of influenza virus H1N1 may not be deemed as deadly as before. And judging by the symptoms shown by suspected victims in reported countries, they all seem to be in a rather "stable" and controlled condition.

Pending WHO's final decision, my country may similarly scale down on it's current DORSCON level from "Orange" status back down to "Yellow". This is essential as it will lessen the current strain on PPE resources to the Nation as well as various government agencies.

For thos of us currently in the fire stations and so on, we will constantly maintain a high state of PPE donning alert.

Hmm... hopefully it really scales down coming Monday?

Swine Flu (aka H1N1 virus) Preparation

Currently as I write this post, my country's been upgraded to DORSCON Alert "Orange" in response to WHO's upgrading of the (now known as) H1N1 flu pandemic virus.

At my station, we've stepped up the relevant preparedness measures in accordance to my organisation's business continuity plan.

These steps include:

a) Screening all incoming reporting duty crew and isolating them in a designated isolation room if signs of fever or flu like symptoms are observed.

b) Suspension of all forms of scheduled physical training (with hte exception of classroom lectures and tutorials).

c) All ambulance crew to respond with surgical gloves and N95 mask.

d) Preparation for possible conversion to a 2 Team shift system

That's basically what I can say here as the rest are rather specfic in nature and yes, confidential as well.

What's your organisation or unit doing?