An influenza pandemic raises difficult questions for organizations: How might an outbreak affect staffing capacity, the safety of clients, the viability of programs and services and the stability of funding? How can organizations make decisions and communicate to stakeholders in an environment of changing or conflicting information while dealing with high rates of management absenteeism? How can organizations match their response to the severity of the situation? While many guidelines exist for corporations and for hospitals, precious little has been established for small and medium-sized non-profit organizations – particularly those without a health focus. In this session, emergency management consultant Thomas Appleyard will share Five Good Ideas he has learned in working with these organizations as they have prepared for an influenza pandemic over recent years and responded to the H1N1 pandemic over recent weeks.
Five Good Ideas
- Support infection prevention and control (The Public Health Good Idea)
- Plan for a “best guess” and don’t forget that it is a guess (The Planning and Improvising Good Idea)
- Develop your own plan and partner in your response (The Community Collaboration Good Idea)
- Clarify organizational priorities and roles during an outbreak (The Business Continuity Good Idea)
- Talk with your staff and your community about their concerns (The We are People First Good Idea)
Five Good Resources
- Planning Guide for an Influenza Pandemic – Association of Ontario Health Centres(2008)
- “Non-profit response to catastrophic disasters.” Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol.6, p551-561, Naim Kapucu (2007)
- The Flu Pandemic and You: A Canadian Guide, Vincent Lam and Colin Lee (2006)
- Understanding Voluntary Organizations in Health Emergency Management, Susan Phillips & Christopher Stoney (2006) – Public Health Agency of Canada
- “Emergency health care workers’ willingness to work during major emergencies and disasters.” The Australian Journal of Emergency Management, vol.22(2) p21-24, Erin Smith (2007)
Tom Appleyard
Preparedness
Tom Appleyard’s main area of interest is how community-based organizations and networks can serve vulnerable populations during public health emergencies. Clients of his consulting business, Preparedness, include community health and neighbourhood centres, faith-based organizations, emergency shelter and housing programs, HIV/AIDS and other community support organizations, childcare centres, home-care facilities and Aboriginal organizations. Thomas has represented the community health sector on several Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Toronto Public Health emergency planning and advisory committees. Thomas has a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Business Administration in Non-Profit Management and Leadership from the Schulich School of Business.