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Incident Preparedness

Scope of Work

Response operations involving natural disasters, emergencies, and technological and man-made incidents pose numerous types of physical, chemical, radiological, and biological hazards to responders and the public. Without engaging the expertise of an OEHS Professional in the planning, preparing, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts, those responsible for anticipating, identifying, and controlling these hazards may fail to protect the health of responders and the affected communities. Given the growing complexity of multi-agency, multi-discipline responses with the public and private sectors working together with volunteers, the need for adequate OEHS support throughout all phases of emergency management has become evident. To be effective, OEHS Professionals must be extremely flexible in their technical competencies and have broad professional experience in order to contribute successfully. This working group’s goal is to help OEHS Professionals understand these issues and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities they may need through training, education, development of reference documents, and outreach.

Our members range in experience and expertise and include IHs and OEHS professionals from industry, academia, emergency response, government/military, and consulting. We are a friendly and active group with engaging virtual meetings. You can choose the level of involvement that fits your availability and earn CM points by:

  • Joining a project team to produce real-world solutions and tools to protect the health and safety of responder and communities around the world.
  • Participating in monthly working group meetings—provide feedback, recommend exploring areas, and communicate collaboration opportunities.
  • Performing “one-and-done” micro-volunteering tasks as needs arise.
  • Serving as an officer or leading a project team. 

Goals and Objectives

OEHS Professionals play a significant role in protecting the lives of our nation’s response personnel, its support staff, and the surrounding community before, during, and after an incident occurs.

The IPRWG aims to prepare and support the OEHS community by providing guidance, information, educational opportunities, and tools for all phases of an incident.

Current Projects

  • Leading project teams to develop new frameworks, guidance documents, and fact sheets.
  • Writing and publishing article in AIHA’s The Synergist.
  • Maintaining and updating working group developed frameworks and white papers.
  • Presenting PDCs and educational sessions at the annual national conference, AIHA Connect. 
  • Developing new professional development courses and educational sessions for the annual AIHA Connect
  • Collaborating with World Cares Center and other organizations.
  • Contributing to AIHA’s Healthier Workplaces Podcast.
  • AIHA Connect Student Poster Award for best student poster focusing on emergency preparedness and response to protect responders, workers, and communities.

Products Produced by the Group

Products produced by the group in collaboration with other teams:

Recognition

Joselito Ignacio OEHS Emergency Preparedness and Response Award

This award celebrates outstanding contributions to occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) emergency preparedness and response efforts.

The Incident Preparedness and Response Working Group evaluates educational sessions at AIHA Connect and scores them based on the following, equally-weighted criteria:

  1. Presentation  
  2. Applicability to Emergency Response 
  3. Originality  

Achievements/Honors/Awards (change to below info)

  • Name as an Outstanding Volunteer Group in 2020 and 2023
  • The Role of the Industrial Hygienist in a Pandemic, 2nd edition – 2021 Critic’s Choice Award
  • Incident Safety and Health Management Handbook, 2nd edition – 2018 Critics Choice Award

Resources

Health and Safety Issues in Natural Disasters
Guidance Document

Health and Safety Issues in Natural Disasters
Topics Emergency Preparedness & Response