This webpage is a source for fire and emergency service chief officers to understand H1N1 flu and access various guidance documents and resources being generated for public health and safety officials.
The IAFC's EMS Section maintained its Emerging Disease Committee following work in 2005-2006 on avian influenza. The Committee is fully monitoring the H1N1 flu situation and will continue to update this page with useful information for IAFC members and the fire and EMS community.
In response to inquiries on administering influenza vaccines for fire/EMS personnel, the IAFC’s EMS section provides a best practice document (pdf) that answers questions about the vaccines and explains their importance.
Vaccination is key to reducing illness and preventing hospitalizations and deaths. Health care workers, including fire and EMS providers, have been prioritized to receive H1N1 vaccinations when available. Departments should offer all members a seasonal flu vaccine to protect their workforces, families and community. Follow progress on the CDC website: H1N1 vaccine.
Memphis Fire Department Pandemic Plan April 2009 (pdf): Guidance on the 3-level planning approach for departments considering how to stage EMS, public health and department personnel response to an outbreak in their communities
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of EMS released the EMS Pandemic Influenza Guidelines for Statewide Adoption in 2007 as guidance for state and local agencies in pandemic preparedness. It contains beneficial information on planning, EMS operations, legal authority and patient care in a pandemic.
On April 26, 2009, the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services issued a nationwide public health emergency declaration in response to recent human cases of H1N1 influenza A virus infection. This action will help HHS prepare for prevention and mitigation activities by enabling Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorizations of drugs, devices or medical tests under certain circumstances.
According to the CDC, a distinction between H1N1 and avian (H5N1) influenza is that laboratory testing has found the H1N1 influenza A virus is susceptible to some antiviral drugs. There is no known antiviral for the different, avian influenza strain.
As this issue unfolds, it's important to understand the differing terminology of a spreading disease.
Outbreak: A sudden increase in the number of a certain illness, which reflects the current situation. [Source: NRP Morning Edition 4/27/2009]
Epidemic: An outbreak of a contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widely. [Source: NRP Morning Edition 4/27/2009]
Pandemic: When a disease is spread across a wide geographic area and is affecting a large portion of the population, typically in the millions. [Source: NRP Morning Edition 4/27/2009]
