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EMERGENCY
MEDICINE

people evacuating the Texas
coastline during a hurricane.

“Historically, all roads lead
to San Antonio,” Perez said.
“Our hotels fill up quickly
during those times and we
have to be prepared for the
overflow and the people who
can’t afford other accommo-
dations. But we don’t turn
anyone away regardless of
where they come from.”

The following sponsible for Emergency Services Function – 8 (ESF) Health and
Q&A gives a Medical for San Antonio/Bexar County. We have the duty to warn
good overview and protect our community and visitors within our jurisdiction. We
of San Antonio’s would be called upon to respond by our local health authority the
Emergency Preparedness vision: San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (SAMHD) Director of
Health, our Mayor, County Judge, Region 8 Director of Health,
In a nutshell: The Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Department of State Health Services (DSHS), The Governor, and
Division is called upon to support response activities umbrellaed Homeland Security Presidential Directive/ HSPD 8.
under the public health initiative.
What’s the number one thing folks should
What is Metro Health prepared to do know/do about preparedness?
in an emergency?
“The GOLDEN RULE” Always stay informed during emer-
Access and coordinate the necessary resources in response to all- gencies and follow all recommendations/safety tips provided by
hazards events, from flooding, hurricane, disease outbreaks, biolog- the authorities.
ical and natural occurring health related events.
Before any disaster, formulate a plan. Decide where you will go if
What kind of capabilities do you have at your dis- you must leave. Put together a supply kit, emergency contact list,
posal in case of an emergency? and an important document container. Be prepared to have re-
sources at your disposal to sustain you/your family, and pets for a
We will respond with a coordinated All-Hazards Plan with all the minimum of (72) hour. The list attached is a good start to building
different levels of government and with governmental and non-gov- your family Emergency Preparedness disaster Plan/Supply Kit.
ernmental partnerships locally. We are fully equipped with our 44
foot Mobile Medical Response Unit (MMRU) that can be used as For more information:
a medical station or office while responding to an event. We are also • http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/ disasters/
equipped with eight (8) trailers stocked with durable medical equip- • www.medicalreservecorps.gov
ment and a wide array of medical supplies. We can also call on our
local, regional and state partners in the event we need support with Mike W. Thomas is the director of communications for the Bexar
any all-hazards response. County Medical Society and editor of San Antonio Medicine magazine.

What are Metro Health’s responsibilities under
the law in case of an emergency?

As indicated by the National Response Framework, MH is re-

22 San Antonio Medicine • March 2016