Natural Disasters

Disaster Response 7-Course Bundle

These trainings have been selected as part of a group of courses relevant to disaster response. Topics include flooding (warm and cold weather), wildfire health threats, depopulation events, and mental health issues.Free access to these courses is supported by USDA NIFA.

Wildfire Health Threats - Risk Factors for Farmers and Ranchers

Summary: Wildfires have become a persistent health threat for people working in agriculture. This webinar will focus on understanding the risks of exposure to wildfire smoke and potential strategies for responding to protect human health. Best practices for protecting worker health will be shared based on California's requirements along with resources for talking with agricultural workers about wildfire exposure risks. Intended Audience: farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, agricultural workers, employers, agricultural safety and health professions, health professionalsPresenters: Teresa Andrews, MS, Education and Outreach Specialist, Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, University of California DavisElena Austin, MS, ScD, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of WashingtonEdward Kasner, MPH, PhD, ClinicalAssistant Professor, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington

Winter Farm Flood Health Threats - Risk Factors During Recovery

This presentation will highlight basic precautions to prevent possible diseases and injuries during and after flooding. Floodwater can be contaminated by pollutants including sewage, human and animal feces, pesticides and insecticides, fertilizers, oil, asbestos, rusting building materials, and others. Winter floods can heighten the risk of health threats such as mold, tetanus bacteria, contaminated well-water, hypothermia, and high stress. This is especially true on farms and ranches where inherent farm hazards such as machinery and equipment, livestock, and agricultural chemicals are displaced and co-mingle, putting all emergency response personnel, farm workers and family members in danger.

Farm and Ranch Health Threats After a Flood

Summary: Disaster recovery can be as dangerous as the disaster itself, especially if no disaster preparedness plan was implemented. This is especially true on farms and ranches where inherent farm hazards such as machinery and equipment, livestock, and agriculture chemicals are displaced and co-mingle, putting all emergency response personnel, farm workers and family members in danger. Floods can heighten the risk of health threats such as mold, tetanus bacteria, contaminated well water, heat illness and high stress. This presentation will highlight basic precautions to prevent possible diseases and injuries during and after flooding. Intended Audience: All individuals living/working on farms and ranches affected by flooding. Presenters: Tara Haskins, DNP, MSN, RN, AHN-BC, Total Farmer Health Director, AgriSafe NetworkRebecca S. McConnico, DVM, Professor, Louisiana Tech UniversityKevin Moore, PhD, MBA, ASP, Assistant Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences at The University of Texas Health Science Center at TylerAlexander Nguyen, DO, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Resident PGY-3 at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler

Heat and Wildfire Smoke Exposure Among Agricultural Workers - Examining Exposure Risk and Potential Strategies to Protect Workers

Summary: Heat and wildfire smoke has become a persistent health threat for agriculture workers. This webinar will focus on understanding the risks of exposure to wildfire smoke and heat and potential strategies for protecting agricultural workers. In addition, participants will learn about a unique research partnership utilized to co-develop and communicate safety and health information to agricultural workers. Intended Audience: Agricultural farmers, ranchers, supervisors, farmworkers, farmworker organizations, health and safety professionals, trainers, promotores, rural healthcare providers, extension agents, and others who work in agriculture.

Animal Depopulation Resiliency Check-in Tool

Summary: Animal depopulation is associated with distressing psychological impacts on people. These impacts affect many stakeholders including veterinarians, producers, public health officials, and others who make decisions about and carry out depopulation. The Animal Depopulation Resiliency Check-in Tool (ADRCT) is a five-question public health protocol for stakeholders who are preparing for, participating in, and recovering from animal depopulation. ADRCT questions have been developed in veterinary clinical environments over the last 20 years. Over the last 3 years, through USDA APHIS National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program funding awarded to the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, the tool has been reviewed by experts in human traumatology and data collected from depopulation stakeholders. This webinar will review the tool including how to use it and preliminary feedback about the tool gathered thus far. Intended Audience: Veterinarians, physicians, nurses, Extension staff, agricultural safety, and health professionals, farm managers, farm workers, and anyone else who may be involved with a depopulation event in their community.

Resources to Support Disaster Preparedness and Response and Violence Prevention in Rural Communities

Summary: This presentation will share information and resources about disaster preparedness and response and violence prevention in rural communities. Presenters from the Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) and the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Analysis will discuss the Emergency Preparedness and Response Toolkit, Violence and Abuse topic guide, and other prevention-related resources for rural communities and leaders, emergency preparedness and response professionals, healthcare professionals, first responders, local public health departments, human and social services organizations, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, and others working to help and support rural communities recover from disasters and violence. Intended Audience: Rural communities and leaders, emergency preparedness and response professionals, healthcare professionals, first responders, local public health departments, human and social services organizations, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, and others working to help and support rural communities recover

NFSHW25: AgriSafe Natural Disaster Recovery Response Think Tank

Summary: Join AgriSafe for a dynamic and collaborative session focused on strengthening disaster readiness, response, and recovery efforts in agricultural and rural communities. This think tank will explore existing resources, highlight critical gaps in infrastructure and preparedness, and facilitate a collective dialogue on how to build more resilient systems. Natural disasters can strike without warning, and being prepared can save lives, livelihoods, and communities. Your voice matters in shaping effective responses before, during, and after a disaster. We hope you’ll be part of the conversation.Intended Audience: Agricultural workers, rural residents, Extension professionals, health and safety advocates, emergency preparedness personnel, and anyone invested in the well-being of agricultural communitiesContinuing EducationThe University of Cincinnati, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, Education and Research Center offers 1.0 contact hour for each webinar during National Farm Safety and Health Week. Upon completing the evaluation, learners will receive a certificate of completion. This course can meet continuing education requirements for a variety of professionals including: BGC criteria for IH/CIH professionals, BCSP criteria for safety professionals, CPH criteria for public health professionals.