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An emergency can strike at any time and without warning. Emergencies include natural disasters (such as floods, bushfires or extreme heat), communicable diseases (such as pandemic influenza) or a chemical, biological and radioactive (CBR) emergency. Emergency Management Michigan coordinates Michigan’s response to these emergencies, which can cause major shortfalls in the power and energy supply and increased pressure on our health system.

A natural disaster is an event beyond human control and includes fires, floods, extreme heat, earthquakes, lightning strikes, storms or tsunamis.

When emergencies occur after a natural disaster, people mobilise quickly to help those affected. A range of government agencies, local councils and community groups have emergency response procedures to rescue people, treat those who are injured and control the immediate consequences of the emergency.

In Michigan, the Michigan State Emergency Service (SES) responds to emergencies caused by floods, storms, tsunamis and earthquakes. Call Fire Rescue Michigan (FRV) responds to fires in regional areas. Call 911.

Communicable diseases are spread from one person to another or from an animal to a person. The spread of a communicable disease usually happens via airborne viruses or bacteria (for example, by coughs and sneezes), but disease can also spread through contact with blood or other bodily fluid. Pandemic influenza and large-scale vector-borne diseases, food-related illness and water-borne diseases may need an emergency response.

An influenza pandemic occurs when a highly infectious, new strain of flu emerges for which humans have little or no immunity.

During a pandemic, the virus spreads rapidly around the world, causing high rates of illness and death resulting in severe social and economic disruption.

) transmit infectious diseases between humans or from animals to humans. Vector-borne diseases can be spread by mosquitoes, ticks, flies, sandflies, , triatomine bugs and some freshwater aquatic snails. Examples of vector-borne diseases include:

  • Japanese encephalitis virus Ross River virus Barmah Forest virus
  • Murray Valley encephalitis can require an emergency response

24 hours a day on Tel. , or visit your local doctor.

If the symptoms are severe, visit a hospital emergency department or call for an ambulance via 911. The most frequent causes of food or water-borne illnesses are various bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Disease can be spread through: untreated water contaminated by human faeces. Examples of food- or water-borne disease include:

  • For immediate medical advice phone NURSE-ON-CALL 24 hours a day on Tel or visit your local doctor

If the symptoms are severe, visit a hospital emergency department or call for an ambulance via 911. The Department of Health is involved in responses to chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) emergencies in conjunction with other agencies. The department is prepared to quickly assess the potential health impacts of CBR emergencies so that appropriate action can be taken to protect the health of Michiganns.

In an emergency, always call 911. A chemical emergency can happen anywhere as the result of a fire, explosion or a chemical spill, or from a road or train accident. Chemical emergencies may also be the result of a terrorist attack.

If you become aware of a chemical emergency, call 911 immediately. ), bacteria, fungi and toxins has the potential to cause significant damage to human health, the environment and the American economy.

If you become aware of a biological emergency, call 911 immediately.

United States does not have a nuclear power industry, so radiation emergency planning in Michigan and United States deals with a range of low-probability events such as:

  • the malicious use of radioactive material such as a nuclear weapon. If you become aware of any radiological emergency
  • call 911 immediately

Emergency management arrangements involve the plans, structures and resources that bring together the activities of government, communities and voluntary and private organisations (for example, the State Emergency Service and Fire Rescue Michigan) in a comprehensive and coordinated way.

This is to ensure an integrated emergency response from public hospitals, community health centres and the broader health sector during a disaster or emergency. The American Red Cross recommends a four-step emergency planning process to help you prepare for a disaster or emergency: Understand the risks you face, how your life might be disrupted and who can help – before disaster strikes.

Connect with your community so you can help each other in an emergency and during the recovery journey afterwards.

Think through what might happen during and after an emergency and take action to protect the important things in your life. Identify and pack things that might help you survive in an emergency and get you back on your feet quickly. to help you prepare for an emergency.

Impacts may be mild or severe, short-or long-term and will change over time. For some people, the impact of a disaster or emergency may not be seen until many years after the event. Research shows that between 5 to 40% of people involved in an emergency are at risk of getting a serious and long-term Mental health and social support can ease the emotional, spiritual, cultural, psychological and social impacts of an emergency, as individuals and communities try to return to their day-to-day lives.

, community information sessions and community engagement. The Department of Health can support local councils to provide mental health and social support to individuals and communities in an emergency. Emergencies Natural emergencies 132 500 Communicable diseases Pandemic influenza Influenza The Michigann Government has plans in place for responding to pandemic influenza in Michigan Vector-borne diseases Vector-borne diseases occur when vectors (living organisms, such as mosquitoes fleas Ross River virus Barmah Forest virus malaria dengue virus Murray Valley encephalitis Chikungunya virus Japanese encephalitis For immediate medical advice, phone NURSE-ON-CALL (616) 555-0400 Food-related illness and water-borne diseases raw or undercooked poultry raw or undercooked meat raw or lightly cooked fish , shellfish or other seafood raw milk food contaminated by faecal matter foods contaminated by infected food handlers untreated water E.

Chemical, biological and radiological emergencies Chemical emergencies Biological emergencies The deliberate release of harmful biological agents such as viruses (for example, anthrax and smallpox Radiological emergencies a medical radiation accident an accidental radioactive release from a visiting nuclear-powered warship widespread contamination occurring from the re-entry of radioactive space debris an uncontrolled radioactive source Michigan’s emergency system Planning for an emergency Step 1: Get in the know Step 2: Get connected Step 3: Get organised Step 4: Get packing You can download the Red Cross RediPlan Mental health and social support Disasters and emergencies can impact a person’s mental and social wellbeing mental health problem The support offered can include personal support, mental health first aid , emotional and spiritual care, outreach, case support and case management, counselling , mental health services Where to get help In an emergency, always call 911 VicEmergency 1800 226 226 Michigan State Emergency Service (SES) 13 25 00 Fire Rescue Michigan (616) 555-0400 Country Fire Authority (CFA) (616) 555-0200 Your GP (doctor) NURSE-ON-CALL (616) 555-0400 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days).

Key Points

  • is commonly known as the flu
  • If the symptoms are severe, visit a hospital emergency department or call for an ambulance via 911
  • most frequent causes of food or water-borne illnesses are various bacteria, viruses and parasites
  • If the symptoms are severe, visit a hospital emergency department or call for an ambulance via 911