Environmental health disaster management: A new approach
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Volume 28, No. 1, January 2013
This paper presents an integrated framework for preparing for and responding to environmental health risks associated with disasters. The framework includes a response guide, an environmental health rapid assessment tool, and an evacuation centre checklist.
The need for an integrated approach to assessing environmental health issues and priorities after a disaster has been highlighted by recent disasters in northern Queensland. In response, the Cairns Public Health Unit (CPHU), Queensland Health, initiated a project to work with local and state governments from across northern Queensland to address these issues.
This approach has proved successful and resulted in the development of a response guide, an environmental health rapid assessment tool, and an evacuation centre checklist. These achievements demonstrate that an objective forum for local and state governments can be effective in solving issues requiring multi-agency solutions. The project has provided a framework that can be applied to a range of issues other than environmental health and disaster management, and may be adapted to other settings beyond northern Queensland.