Swine Flu—What To Do
Training and Exercise hosted by
Marin Interagency Disaster Coalition
(MIDC)
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Margaret Melsh, Melsh Consulting Services
Tessa Shvedoff, American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter
Objectives
• Discover 5 things you
can do now
• Get a start on your
own agency’s plan
• Share ideas with
others
• Receive resources,
templates and flyers
Planning Considerations
• 40% Absenteeism
• Sickness of employees,
families
• Closure of schools/day care
• Changes to infrastructure
• Fear
• Canceled or delayed
shipments of needed
supplies
How Can I Plan For A
Realistic Scenario?
1. Determine Impact On Services
• Identify situations that
may alter your services
• Brainstorm possible
solutions
• List highest priority
services
• Identify what you can do
with minimal staffing
2. Plan For Staff Absences
• Identify staff
needed onsite,
service delivery,
and operations
• Telecommuting
• Volunteer help?
• Cross-training staff
3. Communicate / Educate!
• Who
• Appropriate methods:
cultures, languages,
reading levels
• Materials from trusted
sources
• Stress the facts
• Teach healthy habits
3. Communicate / Educate cont..
• Use multiple ways to get info
across
• Post signs
• Discuss at staff meetings
• Publish in newsletter, website
• Distribute materials or mention
during program activities, home
visits
4. Protect Staff, Volunteers,
Clients
• Protect health and limit
disease spread
• Provide tissues, hand
sanitizer/soap, trash cans,
paper towels, cleaning
supplies
• Use EPA-certified
disinfectant
• Encourage seasonal flu
vaccine
4. Protect Staff, Volunteers,
Clients
• Review/change personnel
policies
• Stay home when sick
• Work from home to care for
family
• Telecommute
• Train staff
• Develop policies that distance
clients and employees, etc.
4. Protect Staff, Volunteers,
Clients
• Adjust meeting methods
• Restructure to avoid face-to-face
• Consider conference calls,
videoconferencing, webinars, etc.
5. Plan For Infrastructure Changes
• Review how
breakdowns could
affect your agency
and constituents
• Work with
suppliers
• Coordinate with
other
organizations
Additional Resources
• www.marinflu.org
• www.pandemicflu.gov
• www.redcross.org
• www.cdc.gov
• www.who.int
• MIDC www.midcpartners.org
• Red Cross Ready Rating
Additional Resources
• H&HS Faith and Community Organization Pandemic
Influenza Checklist http://tinyurl.com/mzxked
• H1N1 Flu Guide for Community and Faith Based
Orgs
http://flu.gov/professional/community/cfboguidanc
e.html
• Santa Clara County
• Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response
Guidance for Vulnerable Populations
• Pandemic Influenza Toolkit for CBO’s
• http://tinyurl.com/yarm3yx
• EPA Approved disinfectants
http://tinyurl.com/c4tj43
Any Questions?
Margaret Melsh, Melsh Consulting Services
Tessa Shvedoff, American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter