Regional Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response HDPTP

University Of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston, Houston TX

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Abstract

P2R CONSORTIUM HDPTP ABSTRACT Between 2013 and 2023, 88.5% of all U.S. counties were declared a disaster area, including 95% of the 200 most populous counties.85 There has been a well-documented increase in the number and frequency of disasters over the past several decades, influenced by a range of complex factors such as population growth in particular areas, land use changes, and environmental shifts.82-84,86,87 During this time, the U.S. has experienced frequent, high-intensity storms -- including Hurricane Harvey (TX 2017), Tropical Storm Imelda (TX 2019), and the Houston derecho (TX 2024) -- as well as extended droughts, which are a key driver of wildfires. Extended drought also raises concerns of toxic dust exposure from dried lakebeds, such as the Great Salt Lake (UT), exposing communities to metals and metalloids (arsenic, zirconium, copper, and antimony). Other disaster-related challenges include industrial incidents and explosions, worker safety concerns (heat stress in outdoor workers, highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy workers), and an expansion in the distribution of infectious diseases (Zika, West Nile Virus).46-47,60,61 Established in 2015, the Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (P2R) Consortium Hazmat Disaster Preparedness Training Program (HDPTP) trains individuals to respond to local or regional disasters (natural or human-caused) involving hazardous materials (defined broadly to include physical, chemical, biological, radiological, or explosive agents). HDPTP trainees include hazmat clean-up crews, formal response personnel, informal workers (including day laborers and spontaneous volunteers, such as neighbors), community health workers, and government officials. Comprised of dedicated experts who share an overall vision to reduce workrelated harm and improve disaster preparedness and response, the HDPTP team operationalizes this vision by developing and delivering training that prepares individuals and communities (businesses, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, residents, work communities) to protect themselves before, during, and after a disaster occurs. Since August 2020 (when the current project period began), the HDPTP has trained almost 35,000 participants, which represents over 420,000 contact hours of training. Based on this experience, the consortium team has proven it is skilled at reaching intended audiences and developing and delivering high-quality, timely, relevant, and practical training. Over the next five-year project period, the HDPTP will recruit and provided tailored, targeted training to key partners in (1) critical infrastructure and employment industry sectors (healthcare, oil and gas extraction, petrochemical industry, first response) and (2) geographically-exposed residential areas to expand the range of individuals, communities, and organizations to whom HDPTP is responsive. Additionally, the HDPTP team will train more than 20,000 responders annually, while also increasing the number of courses that can accommodate responders with limited English proficiency and/or hearing loss.