Judith Chevarley, M.P.H., health educator for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Emergency Preparedness Region 4A will give a presentation on H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu). The presentation will provide key information about the H5N1 virus, such as what it is, how it is transmitted, and why it poses a threat, the history of pandemic flu outbreaks, the current status of H1N1 Flu (swine flu) in Massachusetts and MDPH educational materials and resources about H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) that are available for the general public.

This is a class to teach Health Care professionals how to administer the Small Pox vaccine

This presentaion will go over the deployment of the MRC volunteers during the 2008 Ice Storm Shelter Operations. We will go over lessons learned abd the accomplshments of the MRC.

A full-scale public health response to disasters must attend to both the physical and mental health needs of affected groups. The latter set of needs is especially important because most authorities agree that far more individuals will report psychologically-related complaints than will report physical symptoms directly stemming from the injury-causing agent or event. Because a large-scale emergency will overwhelm existing mental health response resources, psychological first aid – the provision of basic psychological care in the short term aftermath of a traumatic event – is an important skill set that all mental Health volunteer should possess.

Overview This 3-hour presentation will provide an explanation of why behavioral health concerns are a major component of emergency events and how behavioral health interventions can both prevent and mitigate certain consequences of disasters and other emergencies. Long-term behavioral health effects of disasters will be explained and discussed in the context of both prevention and intervention. Psychological First Aid will be defined and differentiated from other types of mental health care. Through didactic presentation and the use of role-plays and case vignettes, intervention techniques for Psychological First Aid will be demonstrated and compared. The importance of identifying self-care issues will be outlined and useful methods for reducing stress and secondary trauma among responders will be formulated.

Judith Chevarley, M.P.H., health educator for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Emergency Preparedness Region 4A will give a presentation on H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu). The presentation will provide key information about the H5N1 virus, such as what it is, how it is transmitted, and why it poses a threat, the history of pandemic flu outbreaks, the current status of H1N1 Flu (swine flu) in Massachusetts and MDPH educational materials and resources about H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) that are available for the general public.

A continuation of EDS Part 1, the training will focus on the diversity of clients served by an EDS and demonstrate communication strategies for working with them.

A full-scale public health response to disasters must attend to both the physical and mental health needs of affected groups. The latter set of needs is especially important because most authorities agree that far more individuals will report psychologically-related complaints than will report physical symptoms directly stemming from the injury-causing agent or event. Because a large-scale emergency will overwhelm existing mental health response resources, psychological first aid – the provision of basic psychological care in the short term aftermath of a traumatic event – is an important skill set that all mental Health volunteer should possess.

This program will cover all eight MRC core competencies

This presentation will provide an explanation of why behavioral health concerns are a major component of emergency events and how behavioral health interventions can both prevent and mitigate certain consequences of disasters and other emergencies. Long-term behavioral health effects of disasters will be explained and discussed in the context of both prevention and intervention. Psychological First Aid will be defined and differentiated from other types of mental health care. Through didactic presentation and the use of role-plays and case vignettes, intervention techniques for Psychological First Aid will be demonstrated and compared. The importance of identifying self-care issues will be outlined and useful methods for reducing stress and secondary trauma among responders will be formulated.

This presentation will focus on understanding how to increase the effectiveness of interactions with people who are anxious or overwhelmed by a perceived or real public health threat. The manifestations of fear, anxiety, anger and panic will be portrayed and appropriate responses will be outlined. Staff issues, such as the stress of responding to the public and the importance of coping with one’s own fears about a potentially dangerous situation, will be explored. Techniques for effective communication skills, self care, and reducing stress will be demonstrated and compared through didactic information, case scenarios, group discussion and interactive practice sessions.