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Impact of 2003 Power Outages on Public Health and Emergency Response

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

James C. Kile ,
Stephen Skowronski ,
Mark D. Miller ,
Stephan G. Reissman ,
Victor Balaban ,
Richard W. Klomp ,
Dori B. Reissman ,
Hugh M. Mainzer  and
Andrew L. Dannenberg
James C. Kile*
Affiliation:
Division of Emergency and Environmental Health Services, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Stephen Skowronski
Affiliation:
Public Health Emergency Preparedness, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Mark D. Miller
Affiliation:
Division of Emergency and Environmental Health Services, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Stephan G. Reissman
Affiliation:
Public Health Emergency Preparedness, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Victor Balaban
Affiliation:
Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Richard W. Klomp
Affiliation:
Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Dori B. Reissman
Affiliation:
Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Hugh M. Mainzer
Affiliation:
Division of Emergency and Environmental Health Services, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Andrew L. Dannenberg
Affiliation:
Division of Emergency and Environmental Health Services, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
*
Public Health Veterinarian, Office of Public Health Science, Food Safety and Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1924 Building, Suite 3R90, 100 Alabama Street, Atlanta, GA 30303USA E-mail: jckile@aol.com
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Abstract

Introduction:

In 2003, a major power outage occurred in the midwest and northeast United States affecting some 50 million people. The power outages affected multiple systems in state and local municipalities and, in turn, affected public health.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted using open-ended questionnaires, with a convenience sample of state- and locally selected subject matter experts from Ohio, Michigan, and New York. Respondents were interviewed in groups representing one of five areas of interest, including: (1) emergency preparedness; (2) hospital and emergency medical services; (3) municipal environmental systems; (4) public health surveillance and epidemiology; and (5) psychosocial and behavioral issues. The reported positive and negative impacts of the power outage on public health, medical services, and emergency preparedness and response were documented. Responses were categorized into common themes and recommendations were formulated.

Results:

The amount of time that the respondents' locations were without power ranged from <1 hour to 52 hours. Many common themes emerged from the different locations, including communications failures, alternate power source problems, manpower and training issues, and psychosocial concerns. There was minimal morbidity and mortality reported that could be attributed to the event.

Conclusion:

Power outages negatively impacted multiple municipal infrastructures, and affected medical services, emergency response, and public health efforts. Previous federal funding positively impacted public health and emergency response capabilities. Recommendations were made based upon the common themes identified by the respondents.

Recommendations may assist state and local health departments, medical service providers, and emergency responders in planning for future power outage problems.

Keywords

communicationemergency managementenvironmental systemsmorbidity and mortality surveillancemunicipal infrastructurepower outagepsychosocial issuesterrorism
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , April 2005 , pp. 93 - 97
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2005

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