NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document
THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT OF SEPTEMBER 11*
Conference Program, March 14,2002 Hunter College CUNY, Urban Public Health Program
Dr. Susan KUtzman wdcomes the audience- introduces panel for morning session please see
attached agenda)
Overview ^ven by Nicholas Freudenberg, Dr H
1) What happened and how did government agencies respond.
2) Wliat were the strengths and limitations on the health issues side.
3) How we develop the post 9/11 agenda
4) How do we balance day -to- day needs and the needs of New York City
Chronology of NYC Dept of Health Rjftslsilsc
Isaac B. Weissfiise - focused on the DOHs Emergency prepareduess Plau, review ed their general
response, and discussed the lessons learned.
- West Nile Virus - developed new ways of addressing public's concerns
- Y2K looked at new ways to communicate.
Reorganized themselves around Emergency Work Groves-clinical, medical,
environ./shelters (Red Cross), labs. - creat^ an internal command center; sent a rep. to
OEM.
Set UP Surveillance Response - Rapid assessment of physical injuries and hospital needs-
Rescue worker surveillance-muscular skeletal problems, eye problems, respiratory
problems-
tt.issPCT.iDl r Manhattan
What substances should be sampled fw -
collection of samples; ATSDR-dcvclop an indoor air monitormg plan.
DOH felt they did a goud job of responding to press
2) Dr. Steven Levin, MD (Mt Sinai)
Talked about the smoke, dust, combustion gases, add mists, metal fumes-inadequate use of
respiratory protection. Most (Mainly non workers) not wearing respirators-
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