Public Health Response to Hurricane Sandy by Nina Scollo, M.P.H. ’14
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n the evening of Monday, October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit Nassau County shores with winds whipping at an average of 80 mph. The meteorological conditions caused this superstorm to severely impact 26 states; in particular coastal communities. Preparations started early in New York when Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency on October 26. At this point dozens of flights were canceled, Long Island Railroad trains suspended, and mandatory evacuations were ordered. Among these evacuations were a major hospital, Long Beach Medical Center, and six nursing facilities that housed hundreds of elderly and disabled individuals. Emergency shelters were set up at multiple locations throughout Nassau County, including a special needs shelter at Nassau Community College. County officials and emergency responders worked tirelessly to ready residents for impact. As the storm hit, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was bustling as the phones rang off the hook with a
very concerned public. The OEM was staffed by hundreds of volunteers and representatives from government and local agencies/organizations who collaborated to communicate a unified response and recovery strategy throughout this emergency. Straight to the top of emergency priority lists went public health concerns. Sandy left thousands of residents without gas and power for days, even weeks, through cold conditions and a Nor’easter. Shelters filled up, and the remaining local hospitals were packed with patients. Many individuals found challenges in accessing necessary and life-sustaining health care, medications, therapies and even personal oxygen tanks. Environmental issues arose as well when several water districts and a sewage plant were compromised. Many residents had extensive damage to their homes resulting in fear of mold and other harmful agents. Debris piled up, and pollution affected air quality. Communication is key in a situation like the one presented by Hurricane Sandy.
It’s essential that important messages and resources get to the public who are without their usual means. Televised news reports, “robo” calls and the Internet are useless for residents without electricity. Proper communications among responding agencies is the only way to effectively take action. All the key players must be involved and work together. The police department, fire marshal, health department, Red Cross, FEMA, LIPA, water districts and many more were all present and working around the clock. The long-term impact Sandy had on our communities taught us many lessons in emergency preparedness and public health. Whether you are a resident preparing your home and family, or a hospital CEO evacuating your facility, thinking ahead and being prepared saves lives. Sandy produced various concerns with costs, safe shelters, medical care, restoring power and rebuilding homes. All are still part of the ongoing efforts to recover from this superstorm.
How Is North Shore-LIJ Caring for Its 9/11 First Responders? by Amy J. Singh, M.P.H. ‘14
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fter the tragedy of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, thousands of civil citizens stepped up to volunteer their support and services in emergency response. North Shore-LIJ officials were proud to unveil the new treatment center on Monday, March 11, 2013, to those who volunteered or worked at Ground Zero following 9/11. This facility has expanded from an office located in Flushing, New York to Rego Park, New York. Presently, the clinic cares for more than 3,000 first responders. North Shore-LIJ President Michael Dowling notes that the 3,650-square-foot Queens WTC Health Program is 50 percent larger than its location in Flushing. He especially looks forward to adding more health care providers and staff to diagnose diseases and monitor ailments accordingly. Dr. Jacqueline Moline, Master of Public Health program faculty member and director of the center, recognized that the first responders are the most vulnerable population suffering from long-lasting health effects. Dr. Moline states, “Sifting through the rubble and remains at Ground Zero wreaked havoc on many responders’ respiratory systems and the
symptoms began manifesting almost immediately. We knew the air was not safe to breathe. We’ve seen health effects from the very onset with people having trouble breathing, people having the ‘World Trade Center cough.’” Dr. Moline has cared for many patients suffering with a persistent “barking cough” and other forms of respiratory ailments after volunteering at the World Dr. Jacqueline Moline, director of the Queens Trade Center site for weeks. World Trade Center Clinical Center of Excellence She has also cared for a (QCCE) at Queens College, chair of the Department significant number of patients of Population Health at NSLIJ, and Hofstra M.P.H. with lung disease, asthma, faculty member, examines a first responder. gastroesophageal disease and a variety of cancers. This clinic also addresses mental with services for improvement of their physical, health problems such as post-traumatic stress emotional and mental well-being. Through this disorder and depression. clinic, emergency preparedness is recognized as Queens Borough President Helen Marshall recognizes the health problems that our first responders have faced. With this new treatment center, she is proud to provide these heroes
a vital component of public health to strengthen the health outcomes of our community and keep us healthy. 5