2001.09.17: HHS EMERGENCY RESPONSE: SUMMARY REPORT, SEPT. 17

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday Sept. 17, 2001

Contact:

HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

HHS EMERGENCY RESPONSE: SUMMARY REPORT, SEPT. 17

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said today that the department continues to provide coordinated assistance to the areas impacted by last week's tragic attacks. In addition to personnel assisting local authorities in the New York, Washington, D.C., and Somerset County, Pa., areas, HHS is providing information and resources to rescue workers and anyone throughout the nation who is struggling with the trauma of this tragedy.

"From the physical clean-up in the impacted areas to the grief that victims' families and the nation are feeling, the recovery process from these events will take a great deal of time," said Secretary Thompson. "HHS, like the rest of the federal, state and local agencies responding during this time of need, is committed to the long-term process of healing and rebuilding."

HHS highlights over the past few days include:

Announcement of available resources for grief counseling and mental health services
Announcement of available resources for better understanding the public health risks of dust, debris and asbestos
Announcement of medical teams and other relief for rescue workers in New York
Announcement of 35 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention�s (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service sent to New York.

Mental Health Response

On Saturday, HHS announced that resources for grief counseling and mental health services, including advice for parents and children, rescue workers and people nationwide, are available on the HHS home page at www.hhs.gov.

In addition, those needing personal guidance can call the toll-free hotline maintained by HHS� Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-789-2647 (TDD: 301-443-9006).

Asbestos, Dust and Debris

On Sunday, HHS released resources to help rescue workers and those living near impacted sites to better understand the public health risks of asbestos, dust and debris stemming from the terrorist acts. The resources are available on the HHS home page at www.hhs.gov.

Relief for Rescue Teams

HHS today announced that about 100 doctors, nurses and other health care professionals are staffing two treatment stations to provide round-the-clock medical care to rescue and recovery workers in New York City.

In addition, CDC has dispatched occupational health specialists to New York to assess rescue worker safety needs and the Administration for Children and Families has provided grant money to New York City to provide emergency child care for relief workers and victims.

Public Health Response

At the request of New York Governor George Pataki and Mayor Rudy Giuliani, on Friday HHS sent 35 members of CDC�s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) to assist the New York City Health Department in the ongoing monitoring of public health matters.

The EIS officers are assigned to hospitals to assist New York health officials and physicians monitor diseases; conduct a medical and health needs assessment; identify existing health problems such as allergic reactions; and determine if there are new medical needs and if already deployed resources are better used elsewhere.

In addition, HHS has sent personnel to assist Pennsylvania authorities in dealing with the airplane crash that resulted from Tuesday's attacks. Deployments include a Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team, portable morgue personnel, and family assistance personnel to assist with victim identification.

Additional information on HHS assistance efforts is available at www.hhs.gov.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news.