NMsphere News
Visit often to find the latest information for events in our beautiful state concerning emergency prevention, detection, preparedness, response, and recovering training and education.
New Online Courses Released, 2010:
SNS: Receiving, Staging & Storing (RSS) Overview
Released: April 26, 2010
SNS: RSS Overview Online Course provides an overview of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and prepares participants to conduct Receiving, Staging and Storing (RSS) operations during a public health emergency when SNS assets have been requested or are received by the State. Within this course we will refer to RSS, however the staff roles for Regional Distribution Sites (RDS) will be similar to those at the RSS. A test is included at the end of the course and requires a 70% or higher to successfully complete this course.
Note: it is recommended that SNS: RSS Overview Online Course would be completed prior to the SNS: RSS role-specific courses below.
SNS: RSS Pick Roles
Released: August 23, 2010
SNS: RSS Pick Roles introduces individuals to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Pick roles and responsibilities at a Receiving, Staging and Storing (RSS) or a Regional Distribution Site (RDS). Within this course we will often refer to an RSS, however the Pick roles at the RDS will be similar to those of an RSS site.
SNS: RSS Security Roles
Released: August 23, 2010
SNS: RSS Security Role Online Course introduces individuals to Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Security roles and responsibilities at a Receiving, Staging and Storing (RSS) or a Regional Distribution Site (RDS). Within this course we will often refer to an RSS, however the Security roles at the RDS will be similar to those of an RSS site.
SNS: RSS Safety Roles
Released: August 23, 2010
SNS: RSS Safety Officer Role introduces individuals to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Safety Officer Role and responsibilities at a Receiving, Staging and Storing (RSS) or a Regional Distribution Site (RDS). Within this course we will often refer to an RSS, however the Safety Officer role at the RDS will be similar to those of an RSS site.
SNS: RSS Transportation Roles
Released: August 23, 2010
SNS: RSS Transportation Roles introduces individuals to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Transportation Role and responsibilities at a Receiving, Staging and Storing (RSS) or a Regional Distribution Site (RDS). Within this course we will often refer to an RSS, however the Transportation roles at the RDS will be similar to those of an RSS site.
Other SNS: RSS Role-specific Online Courses include:
Coming soon
- SNS: RSS Inventory Control Role
- SNS: RSS Communications/IT Role
- SNS: RSS Receiving/Shipping Role
- SNS: RSS Quality Control Role
1. For detailed information about our available Online Courses, click here.
2. To access and register on the NMsphere LMS, click here.
Recent Events:
NMDOH Hospital Functional Exercise Overview (PanFlu ASPR FY09)
The NMDOH is sponsoring a functional exercise (FE) to assist hospitals in the evaluation and enhancement of Alternate Care Site (ACS) plans and the refinement of in-state medical supplies and equipment procurement procedures. Exercise design and conduct is supported by Bureau of Health Emergency Management personnel and a local contractor, Tetra Tech. Funding for the exercise has been provided through the U. S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) grant. The HPP is intended to strengthen and enhance the ability of hospitals and health care systems to prepare for and respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies.
This exercise will assess the ability of hospitals within New Mexico to implement Alternate Care Site plans and the utilization of in-state pharmaceutical cache in response to surge of patients during an evolving pandemic event. Hospitals from each region of the state have been invited to participate in the exercise. Participating hospitals will be expected to utilize existing facility pandemic influenza or mass casualty plans to develop solutions for problems introduced during the exercise. The NMDOH will assess our internal ability to receive and process orders for supplies and medications from hospitals that will be filled from the state’s pharmaceutical cache.
The exercise will be designed and conducted using an operations-based functional exercise format. The FE format is intended to facilitate the assessment of command and control/decision support capabilities within the Incident Command System (ICS) and/or Emergency Operations Center (EOC) environment. The FE will be conducted under near real-time circumstances and will be driven by an established scenario and scheduled data injects. The FE will include the use of a Simulation Cell (SIMCELL) that will provide data injects to exercise participants. The FE will be developed in conjunction with the concurrent discussion-based tabletop exercise program that involves multiple objectives including:
• Alternate Care Sites;
• Mass fatality management;
• Pharmaceutical cache; and
• Medical evacuation.
Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Advisory Committee (PHEPRAC) Meeting Held
The Bureau of Health Emergency Management (BHEM) hosted the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Advisory Committee (PHEPRAC) meeting on March 31st in Albuquerque. Approximately 50 participants representing over 20 partner agencies attended the annual Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) briefing. BHEM staff presented updates of program accomplishments, and sub-committees were formed to address public health emergency preparedness capabilities.
For PHEPRAC Meeting Notes click here
Update on Pandemic Influenza in New Mexico, 2010
On February 26, the New Mexico Department of Health sponsored a day long symposium entitled “Update on Pandemic Influenza in New Mexico” at the Corbett Center Student Union Auditorium, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM. The symposium featured four sessions including a regional update on influenza activity, a discussion of clinical issues and lessons learned a summary of the New Mexico pandemic response, and a discussion of the impact at the local level. Dr. Karen Armitage, Chief Medical Officer of the New Mexico Department of Health was the symposium moderator. Many thanks to our co-sponsors, UNM Project ECHO for providing TeleECHO video conferencing and continuing education credits, and Memorial Medical Center of Las Cruces, NM for sponsoring breakfast, lunch and snacks.
For Symposium Agenda and PowerPoint Files, Click here
For previous Symposium Agenda and PowerPoint Files (Oct 2, 2009), Click here
www.NMsphere.org is New Mexico’s Site for Public Health Emergency Response Education. Our goal is to help you, as a health/medical professional, become better prepared to respond to public health emergencies. This website is your gateway to information, trainings, drills, and exercises related to health emergency prevention, detection, preparedness, response, and recovery in New Mexico