Re: King County (Seattle) Pandemic Planning Guide
***Excerpt from the guide. Note time frame for stockpiling supplies***
4.d Stockpile supplies
Agencies should consider stockpiling critical supplies now that will enable care on site for ill individuals. If your resources are limited, make it a priority to have plenty of hand sanitizer, tissues, and masks on hand. Check the Public Health website for the latest guidance on mask usage:
http://www.metrokc.gov/health/pandemicflu/index.htm
? Soap, paper towels, hand sanitizer, hand wipes, and tissues.
? Cleaning supplies, large and small garbage bags, and other waste disposal supplies.
? Personal protective equipment, including gloves, surgical masks, and goggles.
? Thermometers & thermometer covers. (Approximately one thermometer for every 10 ill clients should be adequate; clean between use per product instructions.)
? Medications used to bring fevers down, such as acetaminophen.
? Re-sealable zip-top plastic bags - for example, large Ziploc? bags.
? Disinfectant (e.g., bleach to make weak solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water; Lysol?; or other household disinfectant)
? Extra linen, towels, blankets, bedclothes, hospital gowns, robes.
? Sheets, curtains, twine and nails to rig up barriers for isolation of sick. (Plastic shower curtains could also be used for this purpose.)
? Extra fluids & foods: juices, Gatorade? or Gatorade? instant mix (powder), Pedialyte?, instant soups, Jello?, teas, etc.
Of course, you also want to gear up according to basic emergency preparedness guidelines from the American Red Cross (radios, first aid kits, extra food & water, etc.). Remember that basic infrastructure services may be affected during a pandemic.
Sources of supplies:
Homeless service agencies often ask ?what are some good sources to buy supplies in bulk?? Clearly, there are many vendor options but we will list here a few places for you to start?these are vendors that we have heard various non-profit or government entities have used for bulk purchasing of items such as hand sanitizer, masks & gloves, facility & janitorial supplies, etc. Listing here does not imply our endorsement of one vendor over another.
Betty Mills:
http://www.bettymills.com/shop
Lab Safety:
http://www.labsafety.com/
NorMed:
www.normed.com
Unisource:
http://www.unisourcelink.com/index.asp
Costco
Emergency Preparedness Service
www.emprep.com
4-e. Food practices and access
During an influenza pandemic, community living settings should reinforce routine food safety and sanitation practices. Facilities should also consider the following:
? Reinforce regular hand washing by staff and volunteers and clients who prepare food
? Discourage the sharing of dishes, cutlery, and other items
? Use disposable cutlery and pre-packaged food, if staffing levels are low
? If possible,
stockpile a 6?8 week supply of non-perishable food, in case deliveries of food are disrupted. Homeless service agencies facing space limitations may want to explore partnerships with other organizations (perhaps faith-based organizations with whom they partner?) to ask them to store food and water on your behalf.
