All-hazard preparedness: the occupational and environmental health nurse role.

As a nation, America is faced with the ongoing threat of terrorist activity from individuals and groups throughout the world and at home. In response to this reality, it is critical that steps be taken in the workplace to prevent acts of terrorism where possible, and be prepared to minimize adverse effects of terrorism that cannot be prevented. It is essential that traditional emergency preparedness planning systems, used to manage emergencies internal to an organization, be enhanced to provide a framework for management of both internal and external emergency events. To do this, an all-hazard preparedness approach is recommended. The events of September 11, 2001, provided a graphic picture of the multi-level impact of an emergency event in the workplace. From the airline passengers and crews to the workers in the buildings attacked, to the rescue workers involved in the emergency and ongoing response, this was a workplace emergency event. One lesson learned from the event is the need for an ongoing plan that fosters seamless multidisciplinary, interagency response. Historically, the occupational and environmental health nurse’s role in the workplace has included responsibility for emergency preparedness and disaster planning. Today, the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN) believes occupational and environmental health nurses are uniquely qualified to be key professionals in all-hazard preparedness, possessing the skills, knowledge, and experience to develop, manage, and implement an all-hazard preparedness program in both the workplace and the larger community.