This report seeks to inform the community about the Long Beach Island Health Department’s activities, programs and services.

Superstorm Sandy Response and Recovery

Superstorm Sandy severely impacted Long Beach Island in late October of 2012. Long Beach Island Health Department was active before and after the storm, well into 2013, to protect our residents, respond to environmental and public health needs, and help individuals, businesses and families recover from the storm’s effects. Some examples of our response:

• Community preparedness education and outreach pre-storm
• Assisting residents in need of medications due to extended displacement from homes
• Preservation of vaccine supply in anticipation of power outage.
• Tracking DEP incidents and debris management.
• Inspecting retail food establishments and providing oversight and guidance to assure a safe reopening.
• Ongoing print, electronic and social media updates to our communities.
• Assessing, and responding to, community public health recovery needs such as information on post-storm hazards, food safety, mold remediation and available assistance and resources.
• Immunizing residents and workers with preventive Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis) vaccine, based on the potential for injuries that may result from repair and restoration activities
• Coordinating volunteers and donations
• Assisting with portable electric heater distribution to residents without gas heat
• Hosting mold awareness and identification training program for homeowners

We make it part of our mission to assure that if a large-scale emergency occurs, the health of the community will be addressed.
How do we prepare for emergencies?

• Collaborate with internal and external partners
• Establish baseline response expectations and reporting mechanisms
• Assure capacity to manage communication before, during and after an emergency
• Plan, implement and manage training/exercise to build our own team’s skills
• Use systems to maximize effectiveness and efficiency of staff and volunteers.