Information Links for Katrina Volunteers

Relief work following Hurricane Katrina requires particular training and skills. The environment is hazardous, and it is extremely important that workers do not become victims requiring rescue: for their sake and to avoid further delay in the recovery effort. These links offer guidance for potential volunteers on the necessary precautions and requirements for this work.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Responder Orientation Briefing (Powerpoint):

This Powerpoint presentation has been prepared by several federal health agencies and is used to brief relief workers.

National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training Katrina Response Resources Page

Several federal agencies have posted documents to this page with preparedness instructions and requirements.

Centers for Disease Control "Hurricanes: What You Should Know"

 

Environmental Protection Agency's Katrina Response page

 

Guidance for Hurricane Katrina

This collection of links comes to us from the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, a partner of the United Church of Christ's National Disaster Ministries.

• Interim Immunization Recommendations for Emergency Responders: Hurricane Katrina
• Hurricane Disaster in the U.S.: Interim Health Recommendations for Relief Workers
• Interim Guidance for Healthcare Professionals Advising Travelers to Hurricane Affected Areas in the United States
• Interim Guidance for Travelers to Hurricane Affected Area in the U.S.
• Interim Guidelines for Fire Fighting Operations in the Hurricane Katrina Response
• Assessment Tools for Occupational Safety and Health in Hospitals, Health Departments, and Shelters Involved in Response to Hurricane Katrina
• Interim Health Recommendations for Workers who Handle Human Remains
• Management of Dead Bodies in Disaster Situations (PAHO)

Safety

• Worker Safety After a Flood
• Worker Safety in a Power Outage
• Electrical Safety and Generators: Preventing Electrocutions Associated with Generators Plugged Into Household Circuits
• Keeping Workers Safe During Clean Up and Recovery Operations Following Hurricanes, OSHA
• Preventing Chain Saw Injuries During Tree Removal
• Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Updated U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HBV, HCV, & HIV & Recommendations for Postexposure Prophylaxis

Cleanup

• NIOSH: Storm and Flood Cleanup

Handling Human Remains

• Interim Health Recommendations for Workers who Handle Human Remains
• Management of Dead Bodies in Disaster Situations
  From the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Additional Information

• Hurricane-Related Information for Health Care Professionals
• Disaster Response, Cleanup and Safety for Workers
• NIOSH: Emergency Response Resources for Workers

This page was last updated on 7/3/08.

Funded by OCWM:

This web site, and the resources available here, are made possible by the generosity of the Connecticut Conference's local congregations expressed in Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support.

This page is copyright © 2008 The Missionary Society of Connecticut.