Environmental Preparedness Surveillance
Environmental Preparedness Surveillance is concerned with identifying
exposures to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE)-related
incidents that impact the population, focusing on chemicals and radiation. This
part of the program is responsible for surveillance of illness related to exposures to hazards that are NOT specifically listed as notifiable diseases by statute in the State of Florida. This includes chemicals that may be used as terrorism agents or chemicals commonly used in industry and homes in Florida [Chemical Information
- opens in new window]. Some examples include chlorine gas, ammonia, sulfuric acid, or any other chemical that, if released, can cause harm to the citizens and visitors of Florida. Surveillance efforts may also include illness related to ionizing radiation (e.g., Strontium-82), heat, wildfires, or explosives.
Information on surveillance of illness related to exposures that are specifically listed as notifiable diseases by statute in the State of Florida can be found at the
Chemical Disease Surveillance Program home page.
To carry out this surveillance, the Environmental Preparedness Epidemiologist utilizes multiple data sources to identify chemical and radiological incidents that impact the population. The Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE), which receives data from emergency departments around the state, and the
Florida Poison Information Center Network (FPICN)
[opens in new window] serve as the program’s primary surveillance systems. State Watch Office (SWO) alerts, news releases, and direct contact from County Health Departments or hospital emergency departments provide additional near real-time CBRNE-related incident surveillance information.
Resources for County Health Departments
Monthly Non-Reportable Chemical Exposure Surveillance Reports
CBRNE Environmental Epidemiology
Response Protocol Training
(Adobe Reader 9 or higher is required to view the presentations)
Module 1 - CBRNE Environmental
Epidemiology Response Protocol Training Overview
Module 2 - Environmental Epidemiology
Chemical Response Protocol
Module 3 - Environmental Epidemiology
Biological Response Protocol
Module 4 - Environmental Epidemiology
Radiological-Nuclear Response Protocol
*Florida Department of Health
employees can register for this training in
Trak-It to receive a certificate and
one Environmental Health contact hour upon successful completion of this
training. The course title in Trak-It is "CBRNE Environmental Epidemiology
Response Protocol Training."
Contact Information:
Email: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing (F.S. 668.6076)
Philip Cavicchia, PhD
Environmental Preparedness Epidemiologist
4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin A08
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Work: (850) 245-4444 x.3873
Cell: (850) 694-1611
Fax: (850) 922-8473
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