Disaster preparedness program on UCTV

Sep 30 2009

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.

Host Dr. John Blossom, Professor of Clinical Family and Community Medicine at UC San Francisco, and co-host Dr. Christian Sandrock, Professor in Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Medical Center, visit with health care providers and disaster response experts from universities, hospitals, and government agencies throughout California, a state with a well-tested emergency response system that has served as a model for the nation. The featured experts represent organizations that sit right at the center of disaster preparedness and response efforts in the state, including California Health and Human Services Agency, Center for Infectious Diseases and Emergency Readiness at UC Berkeley, California Emergency Medical Services Authority, California Poison Control System, and the U.S. military.

Beginning October 5, the programs will be available at www.uctv.tv/disaster for online viewing and as audio and video podcast downloads. The website also features broadcast schedules, information about featured experts, and helpful disaster preparedness links and resources for California and the nation.