Emergency planning

More than 250 ambulance staff across the six counties are trained in responding to CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear) incidents.  They are led by a Head of Resilience and Emergency Planning, seven Emergency Planning Officers and two Logistical Support Technicians and one administrative support.

The emergency planning team has a number of responsibilities, such as:

• dealing with the day-to-day business of contingency and emergency planning
• working with outside agencies such as police, fire, local authorities and industries for emergency planning and management of large events (such as the annual V Festival in Essex)
• liaising with St John Ambulance Service and voluntary aid societies
• managing large or difficult incidents such as major traffic accidents and explosions
• providing operational advice to staff in the Health and Emergency Operations Centres and to vehicle crews on policy and procedure and clinical matters

The Trust has 16 specialised major incident vehicles that carry decontamination equipment, including protective suits and mobile shower units.  These have been provided by the Department of Health as part of the national emergency preparedness programme.

Pandemic flu

The East of England Ambulance Service is carefully monitoring the risk of pandemic flu eventually affecting the region.  We recently took part in a national exercise for pandemic flu, during which many lessons were identified which will identify future planning.  

There is currently no evidence to suggest that the current strains of avian flu can be passed between humans; thus, at present there is no pandemic. However, we are preparing so that if pandemic flu does become a reality, we will be ready with the resources and knowledge needed to continue providing the best possible emergency healthcare for our patients. The following links below provide further information on the most up-to-date information on the possibility of pandemic flu and on what the Department of Health is doing to prepare:

http://www.hpa.org.uk
http://www.who.int/en/
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/PandemicFlu/index.htm

Avian flu

Avian or bird flu should not be confused with pandemic flu. Highly pathogenic H5N1 has been found in a growing number of EU member states. Unless you either work or live in close proximity to birds, the Chief Medical Officer has said that the chances of contracting bird flu are 100 million to one.

The Government has a number of precautionary measures in place and it considers that these remain appropriate and sufficient for the time being. However, it keeps the risk under constant review in consultation with ornithological and meteorological experts and other stakeholders.

The introduction of tighter controls can be implemented as soon as there is any change in the risk assessment according to the Government. Defra has issued extensive guidance to bird keepers on biosecurity measures to protect their birds from avian influenza. It is crucial that keepers follow these measures, and if they keep their birds outdoors they need to have a clear plan for housing them in an outbreak.

Members of the public are also asked to report to the Defra helpline (08459 335577) any unusual wild bird deaths. For more information log onto the Defra website:   www.defra.gov.uk