U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers Secretary Xavier Becerra has declared a public well being emergency for Hawai‘i to deal with the well being impacts of the continued wildfires.
The declaration follows President Joe Biden’s main catastrophe declaration and offers Facilities for Medicare & Medicaid Providers well being care suppliers and suppliers larger flexibility in assembly emergency well being wants of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
“We are going to do all we are able to to help Hawai‘i officers with responding to the well being impacts of the wildfires,” stated Becerra. “We’re working carefully with state and native well being authorities, in addition to our companions throughout the federal authorities, and stand prepared to supply extra public well being and medical assist.”
Well being and Human Providers Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response has deployed catastrophe response personnel from the Nationwide Catastrophe Medical System to Hawai‘i to deal with the well being impacts of the wildfires.
An preliminary staff of 13 responders was deployed to assist response efforts. Responders embody an evaluation staff from the Nationwide Catastrophe Medical System Catastrophe Mortuary Operational Response Crew and different public well being response personnel.
The skilled mortuary specialists on the staff, together with regional response workers, are offering assist all through the state. The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response stands able to deploy extra personnel as wanted.
“The lethal wildfires which have impacted Maui this week have introduced untold destruction and loss to the island,” stated Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Daybreak O’Connell. “We’re dedicated to supporting the individuals of Hawai‘i throughout this tough time.”
Catastrophe Mortuary Operational Response Crew personnel are working with the Federal Emergency Administration Company, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response Regional Emergency Coordinators, state well being authorities and emergency response officers to find out if any extra federal public well being and medical sources may be wanted to help in responding to wildfires.
The U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention is sharing post-wildfire and energy outage security data in addition to standing by to supply extra public well being assist if wanted.
The Catastrophe Misery Helpline, sponsored by the Well being and Human Providers Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Providers Administration at 1-800-985-5990, can present fast counseling to anybody affected by the wildfires.
Counselors are educated to supply assist to individuals who may be experiencing a variety of signs. Callers can join with counselors in additional than 100 languages; a videophone possibility is obtainable to assist the deaf or hard-of-hearing.
Extra details about the Well being and Human Providers Division response to the wildfires could be discovered on-line.
