Tsunamis: Implications for Public Health Preparedness in the Northwest

Thursday, February 14, 2005 11:00 am - Noon Pacific

Session Archive

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Description

Mark Oberle was in Phuket, Thailand, during the tsunami and was part of rescue efforts during the first hours. He will describe his experience and lessons learned that are applicable to public health preparedness and response. Hal Mofjeld, a senior scientist with NOAA's Tsunami Research Program, will provide an overview of what happened in the Indian Ocean tsunami, as well as the risk of tsunami in the Northwest, appropriate planning activities, early warning systems, and education needs.

Learning Objectives

  1. Define the first responder approach to tsunamis
  2. Describe the appropriate public health approach to tsunami disasters
  3. Recognize the tsunami threat to the Pacific Northwest
  4. Describe the tsunami warning system and tsunami preparedness programs

Competencies

Council on Linkages, Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals

6. Public Health Sciences Skills

6B1. Discusses the scientific foundation of the field of public health

6B2. Distinguishes prominent events in the history of the public health profession

6B5. Conducts a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence related to a public health issue, concern, or intervention

CDC, Public Health Preparedness and Response Core Competency Model

1. Model Leadership

1.3 Facilitate collaboration with internal and external emergency response partners

3. Plan for and Improve Practice

3.2 Contribute expertise to the development of emergency plans

3.3 Participate in improving the organization's capacities (including, but not limited to programs, plans, policies, laws, and workforce training)

4. Protect Worker Health and Safety

4.1 Maintain personal/family emergency preparedness plans

CDC, Public Health Preparedness Capabilities

Capability 1: Community Preparedness

Function 1: Determine risks to the health of the jurisdiction

Capability 2: Community Recovery

Function 2: Coordinate community public health, medical, mental/behavioral system recovery operations

Capability 3: Emergency Operations Coordination

Function 3: Develop incident response strategy

Appropriate Audience

  • All public health professionals, especially public health preparedness planners and emergency managers

Presenters

Mark Oberle, MD, MPH has been a member of the University of Washington faculty since 1990 and founded the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice. Professor Oberle serves in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine as Associate Dean for Public Health Practice and is a professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Health Services. Dr. Oberle concluded a 21-year career with the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention before coming to the University of Washington.

Harold Mofjeld, PhD, is a Senior Scientist in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Pacific Marine Environmental Lab/Tsunami Research Program. He is also an Affiliate Professor of Oceanography at the University of Washington. Dr. Mofjeld does research and development in support of NOAA's tsunami warning systems and coastal mapping efforts. Focus areas include: bottom depth and tidal effects on tsunami propagation and inundation, forecasting later tsunami waves, Puget Sound tsunamis, and operational software development. He provides tsunami advice to the Washington State Emergency Management Division, as well as county EMDs in Washington. His publications include over 50 papers and reports on tsunamis, sea level and tides.

PowerPoint® Slides and Related Resources

Tsunami Preparedness-Harold Mofjeld [ 2.2 MB ]
Tsunami: Lessons for Public Health - Mark Oberle [ 983 KB ]

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