Citation

Zane DF, Jones R, Huss J, Sanches K, Hoogheem J, Clements B. Texas Public Health J. 2012; 64(10): 6-10.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Texas Public Health Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Wildfires are a growing hazard in most regions of the United States,presenting a threat to property and life. We describe the public health emergency response to the massive and historic wildfire in central Texas of September 4 – October 9, 2011, by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). DSHS determined that the immediate issues that needed to be addressed during the initial response period included:a)command and control, b)responder safety and health, c) sheltering, d) disaster behavioral health, e) epidemiology and surveillance, f) medical material management and distribution, and g) communication/emergency public information. Public health and medical officials in other jurisdictions may benefit from our experiences and promising best practices as they look to enhance their own public health preparedness and response capabilities forwild fires and other public health emergencies.