Public health officials have the traditional responsibilities of protecting the food supply, safeguarding against communicable disease, and ensuring safe and healthful conditions for the population. Beyond this, public health today is challenged in a way that it has never been before. Starting with the 9/11 terrorist attacks, public health officers have had to spend significant amounts of time addressing the threat of terrorism to human health. Hurricane Katrina was an unprecedented disaster for the United States. During the first weeks, the enormity of the event and the sheer response needs for public health became apparent. The tragic loss of human life overshadowed the ongoing social and economic disruption in a region that was already economically depressed. Hurricane Katrina reemphasized to the public and to policy makers the importance of addressing long-term needs after a disaster. On October 20, 2005, the Institute of Medicine's Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine held a workshop which convened members of the scientific community to highlight the status of the recovery effort, consider the ongoing challenges in the midst of a disaster, and facilitate scientific dialogue about the impacts of Hurricane Katrina on people's health. Environmental Public Health Impacts of Disasters: Hurricane Katrina is the summary of this workshop. This report will inform the public health, first responder, and scientific communities on how the affected community can be helped in both the midterm and the near future. In addition, the report can provide guidance on how to use the information gathered about environmental health during a disaster to prepare for future events.

With the declaration of war in September 1939, the Government Evacuation Scheme was implemented, in which almost one and a half million civilians, mostly children, were evacuated from the British cities thought most likely to be the targets of aerial bombing. The fear of invasion the following year resulted in another mass evacuation from the coastal towns.Hundreds of thousands of school children, and mothers with babies and infants, were removed from their homes and families, and sent to live with strangers in distant rural areas and to entirely unfamiliar environments. Some children were also sent to countries of the Commonwealth, such as Canada and Australia. The evacuations had an enormous impact upon millions of individuals, both those that were evacuated and those that had to accommodate and care for the displaced multitude.Over the course of eight years research Gillian Mawson has interviewed hundreds of evacuees from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Families have also allowed her access to the testimony of those who have passed away. Coupled with the extensive newspaper coverage of the day and official documents Britains Wartime Evacuees provides not just a comprehensive study of the evacuations, but also relates some of the most moving and emotive stories of the Second World War.

First ever, all-in-one, practical resource for evacuating people of all ages and health conditions from all kinds of workplaces, including small offices, skyscrapers, stores, industrial plants, hospitals, business and college campuses, and schools. Inspired by the horrific evacuation challenges of 9/11 and authored by a recipient of the Business Continuity's Lifetime Achievement Award, this is an industry-defining book…. the result of 12 years of research into global best practices for getting everyone out safely -- every time! Your routine fire drill is no match for the large-scale chaos of major disasters. Today's tragic headlines of deaths from chemical plant explosions, factory fires, and doors, hallways and stairwells thoughtlessly blocked by storage items make it painfully obvious that every organization needs a comprehensive workplace emergency evacuation plan – well researched, well developed, and well rehearsed until individual and group safety behaviors become the default. From a review of floor plans and architectural conditions, to a precise "how-to" for testing and training the people in charge of an actual evacuation, world-renowned emergency management practitioner Jim Burtles leads you step-by-step through the kind of planning that saves lives. His comprehensive package of 600+ pages of book and downloads offers a practical toolkit full of innovative and field-tested plans, forms, checklists, tips, and tools for workplace evacuation, including: A groundbreaking approach that integrates for the first time the principles and practices of Business Continuity Management (BCM) and Emergency Evacuation Planning (EEP). It offers a methodology based on the Business Continuity Institute's proven 6-Phase Business Continuity Lifecycle Model, which encompasses development, delivery, and maintenance of organization-wide plans — to ensure that your procedures align with best practices, relevant regulations, sound governance, and corporate responsibility. Discussion of post-evacuation employee physical and emotional issues, emphasizing that caring for every person's well being entails every step taken from the moment the alarm sounds until everyone is safely back at their desks, back in their homes, safe in an emergency shelter, or has become the responsibility of some other agency. Emphasis on the importance of Available Safe Egress Time (ASET) versus Required Safe Egress Time (RSET). Use Burtles' formulas to compare your ASET and RSET under various scenarios and see the results. Thought-provoking discussion questions requiring application of principles to solve problems, numerous real-life case studies and examples, comprehensive index and detailed glossary that facilitate both college and professional instruction.

When it’s not just a drill, you need to get it right the first time. If an emergency alert sounds, are you ready to take charge and get everyone out of the office, theatre, classroom, or store safely? In Introduction to Emergency Evacuation: Getting Everybody Out When it Counts, Jim Burtles explains the practical basics of understanding your site, planning escape routes, and providing for people with special needs. When minutes count, you will be ready to take action! From 30+ years of working with organizations like yours, Burtles knows the challenges you face. He tells you what you need to know as you plan to evacuate people of all ages and health conditions – whether it’s from small offices, skyscrapers, stores, industrial plants, hospitals, college campuses, or other venues. In this short book, Burtles tells you how to: Analyze the site, identifying escape routes and assembly areas. Select and train emergency response teams who will be ready to assist when needed. Calculate the amount of time to allow to evacuate people from different locations – using the author’s own proven formula. Anticipate the personal needs of people who have been suddenly evacuated – from coats to transportation to medical assistance. Learn the needs and limitations of people with disabilities, creating personal evacuation plans for them. Create signage that will be effective for anyone who will be in the area – from workers to customers to visitors. Communicate during the emergency. Check and double-check to make sure nobody is left behind. Finally, to save you time in your emergency planning, Burtles ends the book ends with a bonus comprehensive “Emergency Evacuation Checklist” containing the essentials you need to make sure your plan covers everything you need.

In June 1940, 17,000 people fled Guernsey to England, including 5,000 school children with their teachers and 500 mothers as 'helpers'. The Channel Islands were occupied on 30 June - the only part of British territory that was occupied by Nazi forces during the Second World War. Most evacuees were transported to smoky industrial towns in Northern England - an environment so very different to their rural island. For five years they made new lives in towns where the local accent was often confusing, but for most, the generosity shown to them was astounding. They received assistance from Canada and the USA - one Guernsey school was 'sponsored' by wealthy Americans such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Hollywood stars. From May 1945, the evacuees began to return home, although many decided to remain in England. Wartime bonds were forged between Guernsey and Northern England that were so strong, they still exist today.