Disaster Student Response

STUDENT #1

The New York Presbyterian describes public health threats as events or disasters that affect the community. They can include natural disasters, disease outbreaks, hazardous substances accidents, terrorist attacks, racial attacks and active shooters (Healthwise, 1). The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (HHS ASPR) has a list of recent public disasters with disaster type, location and the date when it was signed and determined to be a public health disaster. The disasters range from natural disasters like wildfires and hurricanes to outbreaks and even the opioid crisis (HHS ASPR, 2). 

Under the Public Health Service Act, the secretary of HHS can determine if a disaster or disease can be determined as a public health emergency. This declaration lasts for either the duration of the disaster or for 90 days, after which it can be renewed. On August 11, 2023, Secretary Xavier Becerra declared that the wildfires in Hawaii were a public health emergency. The determination was renewed twice, once on October 31, 2023, and then again on February 2, 2024 (HHS ASPR).  

Acting Governor of Hawaii, Sylvia Luke issued an emergency proclamation on August 8, 2023, which allowed the Hawaii National Guard to support emergency responders. The proclamation also allowed the director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and the Administrator of Emergency Management to have power to take appropriate actions to handle the emergency. State revenue was also allowed to be used for relief funds (Engle, 3). The US President also has ordered that all available assets to help out which includes the US Coast Guard, Navy Third Fleets, the Army, Department of Transportation, Department of Interior, and the Department of Agriculture (Healthcare Ready, 4). 

Along with these more immediate response teams that mostly handled the immediate aftermath of the disaster, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services is working with FEMA to ensure that all individuals with this insurance continue to receive the care they need. They are also continuing to see what medical resources Hawaii will continue to need (Wu, 5). As the wildfires had spread, a lot of different agencies had responded from firefighters and rescue personnel to help denizens stuck in the area. What is impressive is how the whole state and the country has responded to this tragic disaster. There are many different organizations, both local and international, that continue to help the people with basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing. I think while the immediate response from first responders was important to save lives, the continuing efforts of various organizations is what is helping Maui County recover.  

STUDENT #2

In August 2023, heavy rains and thunderstorms significantly caused flooding in the Upper Kanawha Valley area near Charleston, WV. The state agency responsible for coordinating emergency response and disaster recovery efforts played a central role in the overall response to the flooding, including deploying resources, supporting affected communities, and coordinating with federal and local partners. Governor Jim Justice issued a state of emergency Monday, Aug. 28, early in the morning in at least five counties due to radar estimates from The National Weather Service of three to six inches of rainfall in the region within a five-hour period. On Monday morning, several creeks overflowed from their banks in areas east of Charleston. The priority was to seek higher ground. Local authorities issued evacuation orders for parts of Kanawha County, and the National Guard was activated to start swift-water rescue teams and use helicopters in areas hit by floodwaters.

By the afternoon, emergency communication centers received numerous calls for assistance, with reports of stranded residents and damaged homes. Search and rescue operations continued, with responders rescuing stranded individuals and conducting welfare checks on residents in affected areas. Rescue efforts should have been focused on areas in communities that were hit the hardest along hillsides where runoff flowed into narrow valleys. This eventually led to mudslides, which closed U.S. Route 60 in the Kanawha County community of Cedar Grove, and flooding led to lane closures on parts of Interstate 77, which caused a delay in ground rescue efforts.

When the rain began to slow down from late afternoon to the evening, officials began planning for recovery efforts. On Tuesday, state officials worked with local authorities to assess the extent of damage to homes, infrastructure, and public facilities. Wednesday, applications for federal assistance were submitted.