During a chemical emergency, collaboration between local health departments (LHDs) and first responders is crucial for effective and unified response efforts and protecting public health. Building partnerships with local first responders and partners enables LHDs to pool resources, expertise, and information. Additionally, partnerships allow for organized response efforts, streamlined communication, and rapid mobilization of all responders to provide information and resources to affected communities.

To follow is information and questions to consider as LHDs examine their role before, during, and after a chemical incident. Additional information can be found in NACCHO’s Chemical Preparedness Handbook.

Role of a Local Health Department

LHDs are typically responsible for public health surveillance, environmental health, ancillary preparedness tasks such as mass care support and laboratory testing, and guiding information sharing with the public and their partners. However, LHDs’ capabilities may be limited, and they may not be the primary organization for direct response tasks such as decontamination, managing exposure risks, or providing medical care.

Role of Partners

Fire departments, HAZMAT teams, emergency medical services (EMS), hospitals, and law enforcement have significant response roles during chemical incidents. Fire departments are typically first on the scene to respond to chemical spills or releases, conduct initial hazard assessments, and implement containment and mitigations measures. HAZMAT teams may also be on scene to handle hazardous materials incidents, conduct chemical identification, and carry out containment and decontamination procedures. Emergency medical services provide medical assistance to individuals exposed to chemicals, transport patients to medical facilities, and coordinate with hospitals for specialized treatment. Hospitals provide medical treatment for individuals exposed to chemicals, including decontamination, triage, and specialized care for chemical-related illnesses and injuries. Law enforcement agencies assist with securing the incident scene, managing traffic and crowd control, and collaborates with other agencies to ensure public safety.

Fostering Collaboration

NACCHO’s Chemical Preparedness Handbook outlines several strategies for LHDs to foster collaboration with first responders. Engaging in joint trainings and tabletop exercises that simulate chemical emergencies can help partners identify strengths and gaps in incident response and interagency coordination. Additionally, LHDs can set up channels for data sharing and communication and invite partners to assist in developing preparedness and response protocols that delineate roles and responsibilities for agencies to follow during a real emergency.

To follow are some questions from the Chemical Preparedness Handbook for local health departments to consider when establishing their role with partners:

Before A Chemical Incident

1. How will the LHD be notified of a chemical incident?
2. Who will be responsible for ordering and lifting shelter-in-place or evacuation orders?
3. How will the LHD fit into the Unified Command or ICS structure?
4. How are vulnerable populations identified and how will they be supported in the event of a chemical incident?

During The Response to a Chemical Incident

1. How will data and information be shared with participating partners and with the community?
2. Who will be responsible for communicating with the public about the status of the chemical incident?
3. Who will be conducting environmental sampling/monitoring?
4. Who will interpret any environmental data to interpret risk to the public?

After a Chemical Incident

1. How will the LHD be involved in the recovery/clean-up process?
2. What will long-term communication with the community look like? What will the role of the LHD be in that communication?

For more information about chemical preparedness, action checklists, and more, download the Chemical Preparedness Handbook for Local Health Departments or visit NACCHO’s Chemical Preparedness page.

Background

In 2024, NACCHO developed a Chemical Preparedness Resource Library and a Chemical Preparedness Handbook for Local Health Department Preparedness and Response Plans to support local health departments chemical preparedness.

The Resource Library serves as a one-stop shop for local health departments to find evidence-based tools and resources for preparing for chemical emergencies.

The Chemical Preparedness Handbook supports local health departments in enhancing and/or developing their chemical preparedness plans by prompting thoughtful reflection and inquiry to identify key considerations and solutions before a chemical incident occurs.