A deadly Australian Heatwave in 2009: Planning to Prevent Heatwave Health Impacts Dr Simon Slota-Kan – Environmental Health Unit Department of Health, State Government of Victoria Australia Victoria’s Heatwave Framework Climate change impacts on Victoria, Australia Regional climate change has occurred Since 1950s, 0.9°C warming • Increased hot days/nights, decreased frosts • Decrease in rain in southern and eastern Australia • Sea level risen 70mm. Increased extreme events Droughts, heatwaves, fires, floods, cyclones and hail Heatwaves Heatwave: a period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot weather that could impact on human health, community infrastructure and services Expected to increase in frequency and magnitude Potentially catastrophic impacts: 35,000 excess deaths in Southern Europe 2003 374 excess deaths in Victoria 2009 Challenge to recognise vulnerable groups, and to measure incidence of heat-related illness. Chief Health Officer Report The population health impact of 2009 heatwave was assessed by collecting available data from five different sources: Assessments by Ambulance Victoria Locum doctor visits Public Hospital Emergency Department presentations Reportable deaths to the State Coroner’s Office Death registrations collated by the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Data was compared to the same period in previous years and shows substantial morbidity and mortality with associated demands on health services. Available at: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/chiefhealthofficer/publications/h eatwave.htm Mortality related to heat 25.5 36.4 43.4 44.3 45.1 30.5 33.8 0 50 100 150 200 250 26/01 27/01 28/01 29/01 30/01 31/01 1/02 Date Deaths 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 °C 2004-08 mean deaths 2009 deaths 2009 Max temp (C) *Deaths data from BDM and reports to SCO All deaths* between 26 Jan and 1 Feb Expected (mean of 2004-08) vs. Observed (2009) Graph demonstrating the relationship between extreme heat and increased mortality Risk Factors – heatwave vulnerability Age >65 years, infants Pre-existing illness Unfit Overweight Some drugs e.g. anti-psychotics, diuretics Living alone Working or exercising outdoors Type of housing Availability of air–conditioning Urban environment
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Victoria’s Heatwave Framework Regional climate change has A … · 2015-04-01 · Droughts, heatwaves, fires, floods, cyclones and hail Heatwaves Heatwave: a period of abnormally
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A deadly Australian Heatwave in 2009: Planning to Prevent Heatwave Health Impacts
Dr Simon Slota-Kan – Environmental Health Unit
Department of Health, State Government of Victoria
Australia
Victoria’s Heatwave Framework
Climate change impacts on Victoria, Australia
Regional climate change has occurred
Since 1950s, 0.9°C warming• Increased hot days/nights,
decreased frosts• Decrease in rain in southern and
eastern Australia• Sea level risen 70mm.
Increased extreme events
Droughts, heatwaves, fires, floods, cyclones and hail
Heatwaves
Heatwave:
a period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot weather that could impact on human health, community infrastructure and services
Expected to increase in frequency and magnitude
Potentially catastrophic impacts:
35,000 excess deaths in Southern Europe 2003374 excess deaths in Victoria 2009
Challenge to recognise vulnerable groups, and to measure incidence of heat-related illness.
Chief Health Officer Report
The population health impact of 2009 heatwave was assessed by collecting available data from five different sources:
Assessments by Ambulance VictoriaLocum doctor visits Public Hospital Emergency Department presentations Reportable deaths to the State Coroner’s OfficeDeath registrations collated by the Victorian Registry of Births,
Deaths and Marriages.Data was compared to the same period in previous years and
shows substantial morbidity and mortality with associated demands on health services.
Available at: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/chiefhealthofficer/publications/heatwave.htm
Mortality related to heat
25.5
36.4
43.4 44.3 45.1
30.5
33.8
0
50
100
150
200
250
26/01 27/01 28/01 29/01 30/01 31/01 1/02
Date
Dea
ths
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
°C
2004-08 mean deaths
2009 deaths
2009 Max temp (C)
*Deaths data from BDM and reports to SCO
All deaths* between 26 Jan and 1 Feb Expected (mean of 2004-08) vs. Observed (2009)
Graph demonstrating the relationship between extreme heat and increased mortality
Risk Factors – heatwave vulnerability
Age >65 years, infants
Pre-existing illness
Unfit
Overweight
Some drugs e.g. anti-psychotics, diuretics
Living alone
Working or exercising outdoors
Type of housing
Availability of air–conditioning
Urban environment
Melbourne Urban Heat Island Temperatures at 1 am on 23 March 2006 Local council heatwave plans
• Councils funded A$1.99 M to develop local heatwave plans
• Heatwave Planning Guide developed and distributed to all Victorian councils to support local plan development
-background-preparing a plan-communication strategy-recommended elements of a plan-heatwave planning checklistAvailable at:http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/heatw
ave/agencies/projects.htm#guide
Heatwave Plan for Victoria 2009-2010Protecting health and reducing harm from heatwaves
• Details the roles & responsibilities of the government sector during a heatwave with reference to relevant agencies
• Brings together resources, actions, plans and initiatives to ensure a coordinated state-wide approach to heatwaves
• Elements include heat health alert system, local government planning, community registers, public heath messaging and communication resources, heat health intelligence surveillance system
Dates Captured: 27 March and 22 April 2009Satellite: Landsat 5
Courtesy: Herald Sun
Courtesy: Herald Sun
Courtesy: Herald Sun
Preparation
• Municipal Emergency Management Plan• Public Health Sub-plan
– Derived from Environmental Health Aust. (EHA) template
– Co-ordinator & Deputies – Our Responsibilities– Standard Operating Procedures
Preparation
• Annual Involvement
– Review of Emergency Management Plan
– Inspection of relief centres
– Participate in training exercises in Municipal Emergency Co-ordination Centre (MECC)
Incident - 7 February 2009 Black Saturday
MECCRelief Centres
Short Term Relief Centres
Temp. Camp Ground
Incident - Statistics • Population: 149,000 • Approx. 5,000 affected • 12 deaths (Statewide 173)• 194 houses destroyed • 482 sq kms (186 sq miles) burnt - 20% of Shire• 2nd worst affected Shire in the State• Municipal Emergency Co-ord Centre (MECC)
open for 27 days
• 8 Shire EHOs + 14 EHOs from other Councils
Incident - Operational Hours• Day 1 - 4 24 hours/day • Day 5 - 27 8 am - 8 pm
• 1 EHO in MECC • 1 EHO in 2 Relief Centres
Briefings at
9 am & 3 pm
Environmental Health Officer (EHO) Role
• Initial Response – Support to ‘regain’ human dignity
• Personal Hygiene• Water & Food
• Secondary Response– Support for Safe Living Environment
• Water & Food • Housing• Disease Prevention
EHO - MECC• Drinking water• Medical assistance at Relief Centres
– Drs rostered via local GP Association– St John’s Ambulance
• Liaising with Red Cross - food service• Organise field staff• Rubbish disposal • Health information for local media
EHO - Relief Centres
• Drinking water• Additional local refrigeration• Medical assistance • Rubbish disposal• Donated food• Food prep supervision (Red Cross)• Community showers/toiletries
EHO - Relief Centres
• Answer residents questions– water
• safety of existing tank water • replacement of supplies
– food – waste water disposal - septics– asbestos
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Kits
EHO in the Field
• High visual tabards • Logo on vehicles
Water - Quality & Amenities
• Rural area – tank, creek, bore, dam, aqueduct, mains
• Drinking water collection points – 4 locations - bottled water & stand pipe
• Water deliveries - bottled & water tanker• Temporary toilets & showers
– 3 locations
Information to Residents
• State Dept. of Health advice sheets – disconnect downpipe to water tank– safety of water (ash/debris)– cleaning of water tanks– asbestos – treated pine - CCA timber
(copper, chrome, arsenate)
Information to Residents• State Dept. of Health advice sheets
– Household repairs/tools of the trade funding– Counseling services
• State Department of Primary Industry– Dam water information
• Yarra Ranges Council– Location of water supply– Small business information
Dam water fact sheets (Department of Primary Industry)
Home Visits• Should home visits be done?• If so, when?
• EHO resource kits
Home Visits• Teams of 2 EHOs• Information packs for residents • 240 visits conducted• Personal Protective
Equipment Kits• Survey forms
• “LISTENERS”
Waste Water Management - Septic Tanks & Drains
• Sub surface installations not affected• Treatment plants
– above ground connections melted
Dead Stock Disposal • Poultry Farm
– 50,000 dead chickens– Supervision of stock burial
Temporary Camping Sites
• Army tents
Recovery & Rebuilding
• 1 dedicated EHO (12 months)– septics and rebuilding
• 200+ site visits • >100 permits issued
• 2 temporary EHOs (12 months)
Reviewed Council Emergency Management Plan
• Reviewed Council Emergency Mgt Plan – Endorsed by Council June 2010– Shorter + referenced appendices– Web site link:http://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/General/Search_
Results?keyword=emergency+management+plan
Reviewed Council Emergency Management Plan• More EHO involvement with Council’s
Emergency Management Team – Planning and Review
• Relief Centre(s) - Location & Facilities– Water & Power supply– Showers/toilets/kitchen– Suppliers of resources
• hygiene resources/toiletries, water etc…
Reviewed Public Health Emergency Management Plan
• Strategic Public Health Emergency Management Plan for all emergencies
• Role & Responsibility Statement• Standard Operating Procedures• Update resources/contact list
Reviewed Public Health Emergency Management Plan• Memo of Understanding
– Other Councils - EHOs– Medical Services e.g. Local GP Association– Fire Fighting Authorities
• camp sites - food/accommodation
• Reviewed Public Health Plan - January 2010
Post Event Improvements
• Roster work - with max. 8 hour shifts• EHO(s) in Co-ordination Centre
– Emergency operations only• Note issues of consequence
– Emergency Management Plan
Post Event Improvements
• Improve Communication – handover in & between Co-ord & Relief Centre/s
• Review with staff - ‘training’/scenario
• Laptop with remote access
How it Affected Us
• Fears– What would I see/hear?– Would my EHO knowledge be adequate?– How would I cope?
How it Affected Us
• Some staff living in areas under fire threat• Tiredness/memory loss/lack of patience• 3am “Bright Idea Syndrome”• “Stunned Salmon” effect• “Hitting the Wall”• Time Out
Summary• Decision making in a dynamic situation
• Using established public health principles – Preventing illness– Safe living environment
• EHO care (physical & emotional)
• As an EHO we can make a difference to our community
Heat WaveEducating a Community
Ingrid MakowskiSenior Environmental Health Officer