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EAS Test
October 31st, 2011 | 
Author: Carroll County Coalition for Public Health would like to announce that on November 9 at 2:00 p.m. ET, the federal government will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The test will last up to three and a half minutes. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable, and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested. Carroll County Coalition for Public Health would like to ensure that all of their members and the larger public are aware that this event will be just a test, and not a real emergency alert.
The test is being conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as part of their ongoing efforts to keep the nation safe during emergencies and strengthen our resilience against all hazards.
The national Emergency Alert System is an alert and warning system that can be activated by the president, if needed, to provide information to the American public during emergencies. NOAA’s National Weather Service, governors, and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. The test is an important exercise in ensuring that the system is effective in communicating critical information to the public in the event of a real national emergency.
Similar to emergency alert system tests that are already conducted frequently on the local level, the nationwide test will involve television and radio stations across the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.
Under the FCC’s rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wire line video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public. A national test will help federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system, as well as its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers both nationally and regionally.
The test will also provide the FCC and FEMA a chance to identify improvements that need to be made to build a modernized and fully accessible Emergency Alert System.
Carroll County Coalition for Public Health along with FEMA encourages the public to use this event as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses.
Visit www.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.
Thank you for your assistance in spreading the word about the November 9th, 2pm ET nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System!
A video from FEMA about the test can be viewed at http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6407#share_player
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Functional Exercise June 23, 2011
C3PH in Collaboration with the Regional Coordinating Committee are conducting a Function Exercise on June 23, 2011 from 9-1 at the Delegation Room of the Carroll County Administrative Building. The overall goal of the exercise is to create a shared memory of a successful response to a regional public health emergency among the people of Carroll County. The Multi Agency Coordinating Entity(MACE) will open in the Carroll County Emergency Operations Center to respond to a scenario that involves a public health incident. All partners will have the opportunity to test their skills in the MACE as each participant will have an opportunity to function in various positions within the MACE. All Regional Coordinating Committee members old and new, municipal leaders, Health officers, Emergency Management Directors, or any interested members of the community are invited.
If you are planning on attending, please RSVP ASAP to Mary Reed: mreed@c3ph.org
April 1st Exercise Canceled
Dear Partners in Public Health:
At the recommendation of our Exercise Facilitators, the C3PH Board is canceling the April 1, 2011 Exercise scheduled to be held at the Carroll County Administration Building, Delegation Room. Apologies for any and all inconveniences.
This Notice is to serve as a postponement of the Exercise. We will begin our pre-planning requirements and a reschedule date will be selected.
Thank you.
Ellen Laase
Board Chair
Functional Exercise – April 1, 2011 CCSO
C3PH in Collaboration with the Regional Coordinating Committee are conducting a Function Exercise on April 1, 2011 from 9-1 at the Delegation Room of the Carroll County Administrative Building. The overall goal of the exercise is to create a shared memory of a successful response to a regional public health emergency among the people of Carroll County. The Multi Agency Coordinating Entity(MACE) will open in the Carroll County Emergency Operations Center to respond to a scenario that involves a public health incident. All partners will have the opportunity to test their skills in the MACE as each participant will have an opportunity to function in various positions within the MACE. All Regional Coordinating Committee members old and new, municipal leaders, Health officers, Emergency Management Directors, or any interested members of the community are invited.
Renewed State Contract
PRESS RELEASE: Carroll County Coalition for Public Health renews contract with the State of NH.
The Carroll County Coalition for Public Health (C3PH) has been awarded a two-year contract to continue operations through June 30, 2012. The contract is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and managed at the state level by the NH Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
The goal of the grant is to improve functionality of local and regional public health response plans, building on previous achievements. C3PH will provide leadership and coordination of the Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) to facilitate the readiness of regional, county and local public health emergency response partners such as hospitals, primary care, visiting nurse agencies, schools, emergency management, law enforcement and municipal leaders. Part of the readiness includes building the Carroll County Medical Reserve Corps, (CCMRC) which is a group of trained medical and non-medical volunteers willing to assist in a large-scale emergency.
C3PH is best known for their successful role in the H1N1 response this past winter. “Achieving the third highest per population vaccination rate in the state out of 15 Public Health Networks, and no recorded deaths from H1N1 in Carroll County, provides a positive platform to continue work with partners old and new.” states Executive Director, Carlene Ferrier. “ H1N1 certainly tested our ability to collaborate, communicate and work efficiently. But it also provided an opportunity to build relationships and partnerships which will serve our continued work very well.”
C3PH has been offered an “in kind” contribution from Memorial Hospital, Carroll County Health and Home Care Services and Huggins Hospital of a shared desk space for Carlene Ferrier, eliminating the need for office space formerly in Ossipee. “I am very excited about this generous offer by our partners,” said Ellen Laase, chairman of the C3PH Board of Directors. “In addition to conserving our resources, each location provides increased opportunities for collaboration.”
Laase formerly served as Point of Dispensing Manger in charge of vaccine administration at all 26 H1N1 clinics held in Carroll County this past winter. She takes the reigns as the new board chair from long time champion of public health, Carol Tubman, the Director of Emergency Services at Huggin’s Hospital.
Theresa Kennett, the CCMRC Volunteer Coordinator will remain on staff building the CCMRC and Dana Littlefield, formerly the Pandemic Planning Specialist, will resume his role as Chair of the RCC when he returns from training at the Police Academy.