ERHMS

Post-Event Tracking of Emergency Responder Health and Function

Purpose

The goal is to identify adverse health or functional consequences potentially associated with response work and to intervene early to maximize the chances for recovery and to stop further exposure for workers remaining on-scene. A critical 

function of the Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance (ERHMS) system is to provide the data necessary to determine whether further responder health tracking is warranted and if so, what type of tracking would be most 

appropriate.

Principles of Post-Event Tracking of Emergency Responder Health and Function

The data from the pre- and during-event portions of ERHMS can be organized into three basic areas of analysis to assist 

the post-event tracking decision:

1. Evaluation of hazardous exposures, incidents, and activities.

2. Evaluation of adequacy of control strategies.

3. Epidemiologic review of injuries, illnesses, and mental health or performance problems among responders during 

the event.
ERHMS

Identifying and tracking responders

Constructing a Post-Event Monitoring or Surveillance Protocol

The monitoring protocol should be 

designed to:

• Conduct early intervention.

• Identify unique symptoms 

and/or signs that may be 

related to incident exposures.

• Describe disease rates, 

trends, and exposure-health 

outcome relationships.

• Inform future emergency 

preparedness and response 

activities.

Content of a Post-Event Monitoring and Surveillance Protocol

The monitoring protocol should: 

• Obtain relevant clinical and 

exposure histories through a 

medical encounter.

• Perform the appropriate 

clinical exam(s) and medical 

tests.

• Provide the worker with an 

explanation of findings and 

appropriate referrals when 

there is a need for treatment 

or follow-up. 

Implementation of a Post-Event 

Monitoring and Surveillance Protocol

Considerations:

• Should be closely tied with 

information management.

• A licensed clinician is needed 

to oversee the screening 

instruments.

• Data management must 

conform to recognized 

standards of acceptability, 

reproducibility, calibration, 

and technician certification.

ERHMS

The ERHMS system is a health monitoring and surveillance framework that includes recommendations and tools specific 

to protect emergency responders during the pre-deployment, deployment, and post-deployment phases of a disaster. 

The intent of ERHMS is to identify exposures and/or signs and symptoms early in the course of an emergency response 

in order to prevent or mitigate adverse physical and psychological outcomes and ensure workers maintain their ability to 

respond effectively and are not harmed in the course of this response work. Data will also help to identify during the postdeployment phase which responders would benefit from medical referral and possible enrollment in a long-term health 

surveillance program. Please refer to Chapter 10 and section 10T for more information on Post-Event Tracking of Emergency Responder Health and Function.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ERHMS Contact:

! CDR Renée Funk, Coordinator, ERHMS at rfunk@cdc.gov or 404-498-1376

For more information on ERHMS, please visit: 

erhms.nrt.org & www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/erhms