Environmental health assessments would be undertaken within 72 hours of a disaster to identify community-wide risks and priorities. The environmental health rapid assessment form and evacuation centre checklist would be used to ensure consistency in the information gathered. Ongoing assessments are conducted using these forms or modified versions to aid the community’s recovery and re-building efforts. This is particularly important to ensure the effectiveness of interventions is monitored and guide transition from response and recovery phases of disaster management. This type of process has been used successfully in the United States when responding to hurricanes, floods and ice storms (Rubin, 2005). Information gathered from such assessments allows responders to understand the public health issues, actual numbers of resources needed, and the messages required for affected residents (Rubin, 2005).

The environmental health rapid response teams are led by a Rapid Response Coordinator (RRC). Depending on local arrangements, the teams would be made up of EHOs from local and state governments to increase the pool of resources available and ensure all public health jurisdictional responsibilities are covered. Ideally, in a large disaster such