Systemic Failure and Health Catastrophe: The Final Report from the Flint Water Advisory Task Force

"The Flint water crisis is a story of government failure, intransigence, unpreparedness, delay, inaction, and environmental injustice. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) failed in its fundamental responsibility to effectively enforce drinking water regulations.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) failed to adequately and promptly act to protect public health. Both agencies, but principally the MDEQ, stubbornly worked to discredit and dismiss others’ attempts to bring the issues of unsafe water, lead contamination, and increased cases of Legionellosis (Legionnaires’ disease) to light."

Matthew M Davis, MD, MAPP, Chris Kolb, Lawrence Reynolds, MD, Eric Rothstein, CPA, Ken Sikkema, Executive Summary Statement, Flint Water Advisory Task Force Final Report, 2016, p. 5

From the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and all the way to the Governor’s office, there are more than enough culpable participants in the failure to protect the health of Flint’s children. According to pediatrician Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, who first alerted government officials of concerns for her patients, the lead-contaminated water could impact as many as 8000 children.¹

The unimaginable happened. The repercussions are still unknown. But for persons engaged in disease surveillance, public health, health informatics and policy-making, the Final Report is a "must-read" to gain understanding of how separate individual and agency failures compounded to allow a catastrophic outcome. We recommend all practitioners review the report.

1. Abby Goodnough, Flint Weighs Scope of Harm to Children Caused by Lead in Water, nytimes.com, January 29, 2016

 

Center for Domestic Preparedness Anniston Alabama FY 2014, 4th Quarter Resident Training Schedule

The Center for Domestic Preparedness is a member of the Department of Homeland Security, National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, and offers fully funded training for eligible responders.  The FY 2014, Fourth Quarter Resident Training calendar was released and enroll opened on 1 May.  Many of these course fill rather quickly so the sooner you can submit your training request them more likely we can enroll you in your first choice.

Courses are identified by “Program Letters” the course information can be located at this link. https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/program/   Once you have accessed this page select the program letter to learn more about a specific course. If you have any question please don’t hesitate to call or drop me an email.  Please visit our website to learn more about the training we offer. 

“If you are a state or local emergency responder, this training is completely funded by DHS at no cost to you or your jurisdiction. We fly you into Atlanta airport, pick you up, transport you to the CDP, and provide all meals and lodging.”

The CDP has both a Facebook account (www.facebook.com/cdpfema) and a Twitter account  (https://twitter.com/cdpfema) if you would like to see student comments and other information.

  

Registration Process:  https://cdp.dhs.gov/register/registration-process/

Resident Training Schedule: https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/schedule/

Recommended Training by Discipline: https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/discipline/

•             Emergency Management Agency

•             Emergency Medical Services

•             Fire Service

•             Governmental Administrative

•             Hazardous Materials Personnel

•             Healthcare

•             Law Enforcement

•             Public Health

•             Public Safety Communications

•             Public Works

Accreditation Continuing Education Units: https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/accreditation/

Prepare for Training: https://cdp.dhs.gov/prepare/travel/

Frequently Asked Questions: https://cdp.dhs.gov/faq/