Disaster Relief Information

Welcome to the New Jersey Chapter, American College of Surgeons Disaster relief / preparedness Webpage.

Since disasters occur at all times, types, and sizes, we must be prepared to respond to all such hazards in a manner consistent with the overarching National Response Framework (NRF). Through the concept of operations provided by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) all Federal, State, and Local Agencies prepare and respond to all hazards in the similar manner throughout the Nation.

In light of evolving public health concerns around COVID-19, several surgical society meetings which impact this group have been cancelled or postponed. Fortunately, the CONNECT program which was previously scheduled to take place in Miami next week has been converted to a Virtual Robotic Forum hosted by the online Robotic Surgery Collaboration. On Friday, March 20th, from 12pm- 7pm and Saturday March 21st from 8am-1:30 pm, The conference will be live streamed on Facebook by the Robotic Surgery Collaboration with active Q and A. This novel solution presents a high value opportunity for all our members to receive robotic clinical and program management content from thought leaders in the space in the safety of our own offices or homes. Below you will see agendas highlighted with general surgery, bariatric and program building content, instructions to join the RSC, and a link to the RSC. Free to join for any of the presentations that are relevant to you and your practice.

Andrea

Andrea Donelan
Executive Director
New Jersey Chapter, American College of Surgeons
36 Elm Street, Suite 5
Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 539-4000 FAX: (973) 539-9493

Volunteering in Texas

Are you interested in volunteering in Texas? Please contact the Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry or the NJ Red Cross.

Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry

https://texasdisastervolunteerregistry.org/

The Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry allows volunteer health professionals and lay volunteers wishing to support medical preparedness and response to register as a responder with participating organizations to provide services during a disaster or public health emergency. The registration system will collect basic information about you and your professional skills. To register you will need to click on the “Register Now” button to begin the registration process. It will allow you to register with a group that is already an established responder organization. If you have completed the registration process or would like to return to continue or change information you will need to click the Log In button using the password and user name you selected when you created your account.

The Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry web site is maintained by the Department of State Health Services but is used as a local volunteer registration and management tool for local responder organizations. The Volunteer Registry provides a secure database with readily available, verifiable information regarding each volunteer’s identity, qualifications, training and experience. The Registry helps provide a timely, effective response to disasters and ensures the appropriate match of a volunteer’s skills and abilities with the needs of the emergency situation.

The New Jersey Red Cross Offices

http://www.redcross.org/local/new-jersey

  • Crossroads – (908) 273-2076 (Union, Morris, Warren);
  • Central – (609) 951-8550;
  • Northern NJ – (973) 797-3300;
  • Jersey Coast – (732) 493-9100;
  • Southern Shore – (609) 646-8330;
  • Southwest – (856) 365-7100

Andrea Donelan
Executive Director
New Jersey Chapter, American College of Surgeons

Healthcare and Public Health Sector Preparedness Briefing The President recently directed federal agencies to use all appropriate emergency and other authorities to respond to the crisis caused by the opioid epidemic. The federal InterAgency Board (IAB) publication “Recommendations on Selection and Use of Personal Protective Equipment and Decontamination Products for First Responders Against Exposure Hazards to Synthetic Opioids, Including Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogues” establishes guidance for personal protective equipment selection and use, decontamination, detection, and medical countermeasures for first responders who may be exposed to opioids in the course of their occupational activities.

Given these events, knowing that we’re two weeks away from the Labor Day weekend and closing in on some important anniversaries (such as 9/11), and understanding that we’ve yet to enter the peak of our “hurricane season,” now is the opportune time to review emergency plans, policies, and procedures; test equipment; check supplies and other resources; reinforce organizational structures and emergency job responsibilities; and, drill/exercise to test capabilities. Attached you will find an updated version of our “Preparedness Briefing” with links to resources critical for your emergency preparedness and operations; also attached are the two posters we’ve published on initial steps during emergency operations, and considerations for different types of emergencies (hard copies are available by emailing contact.preparedness@doh.nj.gov)

You should also be reminded to be on alert for any unusual disease activity. NJDOH reviews data from emergency departments statewide to facilitate the recognition of disease outbreaks. However, the NJDOH always relies on clinicians to report by telephone those conditions that require immediate notification, including any suspected cluster or outbreak of disease or any unusual clinical presentation. Report immediately notifiable conditions, or other issue of public health concern, to the local health department (LHD) where the patient resides, or to the local health department of the event or outbreak. If LHD personnel are unavailable, healthcare providers should report the case to the NJDOH Communicable Disease Service at 609-826-5964, (normal business hours) or 609-392-2020 (weekends, evenings, and holidays).

Lastly, The American Hospital Association (AHA) recently conducted a comprehensive study on the financial impact of violence to hospitals and healthcare systems, the first research of its kind. It studied both community or public violence as well as in-facility violence, prevention and preparedness costs, and post-incident costs. The AHA estimates proactive and reactive violence response cost hospitals and health systems in the United States approximately $2.7 billion in 2016 (PDF, 341 kb), broken down as such:

  • $280 million in preparedness and prevention addressing community violence.
  • $852 million in unreimbursed medical care for victims.
  • $1.1 billion in prevention of violence within hospitals.
  • $429 million spent as a result of violence against hospital employees.

These numbers are further broken down in the study results. The AHA presents this data to highlight the enormity of the problem and the demands placed on the medical community and make the information available for further research and action; it does not make any recommendations on addressing the issues.

Special Emergency Edition

November 8, 2012

In an attempt to assist our clients and business partners during these trying weather-related times, the firm thought it would be helpful to send along some information that might be of value to you. If there is anything else that the firm can do to help you along, please do not hesitate to contact us at your earliest convenience at E-Mail Us or 800-445-0954.

Financial Assistance for Business Owners

  • Federal: Through its Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA), the small business administration (SBA) provides low-interest, long-term loans for physical and economic damage caused by a declared disaster. SBA offers home and personal property loans, business physical disaster loans, and economic injury disaster loans.
  • Home and Personal Loans: Renters and Homeowners could qualify for $40,000 or $200,000, respectively, to repair or replace their primary residence and to replace clothing, furniture, cars, appliances, etc.
  • Business Physical Disaster Loans: Businesses, profit or nonprofit organizations located in declared disaster areas could qualify for disaster loans up to $2 million. The proceeds could be used to repair or replace real property, machinery, fixtures and equipment, and inventory. The terms can be up to 30 years depending on the business’s ability to pay.
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan: If your business is located in the declared disaster area, you may qualify for this program if your business cannot meet its obligations and pay its ordinary and necessary business expenses. Loan limits up to $2 million.

You can get more details on the above program by visiting the following SBA link:

SBA Web Page: SBA Web Page

IRS Disaster Relief

IRS Tax Relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting in late October. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Feb. 1, 2013 to file these returns and pay any taxes due. This includes the fourth quarter individual estimated tax payment, normally due Jan. 15, 2013. It also includes payroll and excise tax returns and accompanying payments for the third and fourth quarters, normally due on Oct. 31, 2012 and Jan. 31, 2013 respectively. It also applies to tax-exempt organizations required to file Form 990 series returns with an original or extended deadline falling during this period.

The IRS will abate any interest, late-payment or late-filing penalty that would otherwise apply. The IRS automatically provides this relief to any taxpayer located in the disaster area. Taxpayers need not contact the IRS to get this relief.

Beyond the relief provided by law to taxpayers in the FEMA-designated counties, the IRS will work with any taxpayer who resides outside the disaster area but whose books, records or tax professional are located in the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. All workers assisting the relief activities in the covered disaster areas who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization are eligible for relief. Taxpayers who live outside of the impacted area and think they may qualify for this relief need to contact the IRS at 866-562-5227.

In addition, the IRS is waiving failure-to-deposit penalties for federal payroll and excise tax deposits normally due on or after the disaster area start date and before Nov. 26, if the deposits are made by Nov. 26, 2012. Details on available relief can be found on the disaster relief page on Disaster Relief

The tax relief is part of a coordinated federal response to the damage caused by the hurricane and is based on local damage assessments by FEMA. For information on disaster recovery, individuals should visit
Disaster Assistance

Additional Links and Resources

  • New Jersey
    • New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH)
      Multiple resources and links – (NJDOH)
    • Declared Disaster Waiver for Ambulatory Care Facilities – re-posted from Feb 2012:
      Disaster Waiver
    • New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance
      Insurance, money matters & real estate issues post-Sandy
      Insurance, money matters & real estate