Earthquakes, fires, floods, pandemics. The public relies on health professionals, emergency responders and trained volunteers to react appropriately to a range of disasters, big or small. But does everyone understand the systems that are in place to respond to these dreaded events? University of California Television (UCTV) and the California Preparedness Education Network (cal-PEN) present “Disaster Preparedness for Health Professionals,” a free, four-part video series that highlights best practices for preparedness as determined by disaster response experts from throughout California. The series premieres on UCTV Monday, October 5 at 8pm (EDT, PDT) and online at www.uctv.tv/disaster.
The “Disaster Preparedness for Health Professionals” programs help illustrate how anyone – from a single individual to a complex organization – can be better prepared for a future emergency. Each installment covers a different topic, including Natural Disasters, Chemical and Biological Agents, Pandemic Influenza and Other Emerging Infections, and Disaster Volunteerism. The programs utilize expert interviews, case studies, archival footage, and conversations with experienced emergency responders to apply lessons learned from past disasters to likely future events like wildfires, the H1N1 virus, or terrorist attack.