Preliminary Assessment Tribal Emergency Response Preparedness

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Preliminary AssessmentTribal Emergency Response
Preparedness

• Dean S. Seneca, MPH, MCURP
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Project Objectives

• To assess Tribal emergency preparedness and
  response capabilities, with special focus on
  radiological hazards.
• To identify support and training needs of Tribes
  related to emergency preparedness.

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Project Objectives(continued)

• To engage Tribal communities in emergency
  preparedness response activities.
• To help establish criteria and mechanisms for
  improving, enhancing, or possibly developing
  integrated Tribal programs related to emergency
  response.

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Project Triggers

• Tribal lands are often in rural settings and/or
  cover large areas.
• If chemical, biological, or radiological release
  occurs, Tribes may be the primary government
  entity to respond.
• Outside agencies need to understand how well
  prepared Tribes are and what support needs exist.

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Accomplishments to Date

• Set up pilot assessment to obtain data from a
  cross-section of Tribes.
• Identified and selected nine Tribes to
  participate in the pilot assessment.
• Conducted in-person interviews with the nine
  Tribes during the summer-fall 2003.

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Accomplishments to Date (continued)

• Conducted follow-up with Tribes as needed to
  ensure completeness and accuracy of
  Tribe-specific data.
• Compiled findings, prepared Tribe-specific
  reports.
• Developed a summary report of overall findings.

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MethodsCriteria for Selecting Tribes

• Proximity to major transportation routes.
• Proximity to nuclear/chemical facilities or
  Department of Defense or Energy sites.
• Potential presence of unregulated landfills
  (radioactive waste).
• Proximity to U.S. borders.

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Methods Data Collection

• Interviewed Tribal representatives one-on-one or
  in small group settings.
• Topics discussed
• - Overall knowledge and understanding
• - Infrastructure and equipment
• - Emergency preparedness planning
• - Communications
• - Training
• - Support needs

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MethodsData Compilation

• Extracted and compiled the information recorded
  during interviews and follow-up communications.
• Prepared Tribe-specific reports and compiled
  aggregate data in single summary report,
  identifying overall observations and trends.

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Participating Tribes
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Size of Participating Tribes

• lt 5,000 (3 Tribes)
• 5,001-15,000 (2 Tribes)
• 15,001-30,000 (1Tribe)
• gt30,000 (3 Tribes)

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Overall Findings

• Tribes are generally aware of the types of
  hazards and response scenarios that may arise on
  Tribal lands, but lack specific knowledge.
• A wide range of response preparedness was
  observed. Some Tribes are better equipped and
  have more comprehensive emergency response
  programs than others.

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Overall Findings(continued)

• Some Tribes are aware that other state, county,
  or local emergency response plans exist, but
  desire more information about where the Tribes
  fit in.
• Tribal readiness for radiological hazards is
  limited. Virtually none of the Tribes have the
  capabilities to identify orphan sources, and most
  do not have equipment or training for
  radiological emergencies.

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Overview Support Needs

• Tribes report that they need
• Training/technical support.
• Funding for dedicated staff and equipment.
• Improved communications within Tribal Nations and
  with local, county, and state agencies serving
  their Tribal areas.

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Breakdown of Findings
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Infrastructure

• Few Tribes are completely self-sufficient in
  terms of personnel, equipment, and resources to
  respond to various emergency situations.
• Most Tribes have law enforcement groups 4 of the
  9 Tribes interviewed have fire departments
  others rely on outside first responder services
  or a combination of Tribal and outside services.

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Infrastructure (continued)

• Most Tribes rely on outside or contract medical
  services. Most facilities serving Tribes are
  equipped to handle at least 6-20 patients in an
  emergency some can treat 50 or more patients.

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Infrastructure (continued)
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Equipment

• Less than half the Tribes report having emergency
  response equipment.
• Tribes with equipment are more prepared for
  chemical and biological emergencies.
• No relationship was observed between equipment
  inventory and the Tribal size or land mass.

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Emergency Response Planning

• Most Tribes interviewed have some form of an
  emergency response plan completed or under
  development. All but one of these incorporates
  measures to respond to radiological hazards.
• Tribes report cooperation among their first
  responders and with outside agencies in
  developing response plans. Still, Tribes
  expressed interest in fostering more coordination
  with outside agencies.

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Communications

• Most Tribes have a system to communicate with
  other agencies in an emergency.
• More than half the Tribes have a communications
  system used by first responders.
• Fewer Tribes have a system to notify the public
  of an emergency. Those that do often rely on
  radios and television, among other means.

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Support NeedsOverall

• At least a third of the Tribes interviewed
  requested that EPA/ATSDR share information about
  funding sources, technical support providers, and
  training tools available to Tribes (for emergency
  planning and increasing general knowledge about
  hazards faced).

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Training

• Training in emergency response readiness varies
  among the Tribes. Some Tribes receive extensive
  training in emergency response readiness,
  participate in mock drills, and even train others
  responders.
• Most training has focused on chemical and
  biological hazards. Fewer responders are trained
  in radiological hazards or to recognize orphan
  sources.

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Needed Training/ Technical Assistance

• How to safely respond to emergencies, such as the
  proper use of equipment, particularly for
  radiological and biological hazards.
• How to develop or improve emergency response
  plans.
• Assistance with mock drills.

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Needed Training/ Technical Assistance

• Templates for emergency response plans.
• Useful Web sites.
• Names of training resources and providers.

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Other Needs

• Additional funding and staff dedicated to
  emergency response planning and training.
• Mechanisms for enhanced information sharing with
  IHS, the Tribes, and other agencies (How to
  achieve greater coordination).
• Improved equipment and supplies.

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Other Requests

• Inclusion of Tribes in other governmental
  agencies notification procedures.
• Demonstrated commitment from federal agencies to
  support Tribes.

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Next Steps

• Use pilot assessment results as a basis for
  assessing all the tribes ER capabilities in the
  U.S.
• Expand the assessment of training/ educational
  needs.
• - Supplement findings with other similar
  studies, if available.
• - Refine pilot questionnaire, based on Tribal
  input and consider more widespread
  distribution.

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Future Considerations

• Establish training implementation strategies.
• Raise awareness of identified issues across
  states and Tribes.
• Form partnerships foster collaboration among
  government agencies and Tribes.
• Define role of Federal agencies in the process.
• Identify funding mechanisms for staff, equipment,
  etc.