Insects

Initially, number of flying insects will be reduced by the 

storm. However, within 7 to 10 days after the storm, 

numbers of mosquitoes and flies can rebound to very 

high levels. To reduce exposure to harmful insects, 

use the DoD insect Repellent System.

DoD insect Repellent System

Displaced Animals

Stress can change the temperament of normally 

friendly pets. Wild and domesticated animals will seek 

shelter in unusual places to avoid the rising waters. 

Do not handle displaced animals. Do not keep pets/

mascots. Contact animal control specialists for help.

Hazardous Plants

Some plants can irritate the skin if touched. When 

burned they can irritate the skin and lungs. Avoid 

skin contact with plants when possible and wash 

contaminated skin and clothing after contact. Leaves 

of three – leave them be.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The level of personal protective equipment (PPE) 

required will depend upon your role in the effort. 

Anticipate and bring items such as a hard hat, 

goggles, heavy work gloves, steel-toed boots and 

hearing protection. Some PPE items may not be 

standard issue for most U.S. military personnel.

Military Vaccine Requirements

Refer to MILVAX at http://www.vaccines.army.mil/

for up-to-date vaccine requirements. 

http//:phc.amedd.army.mil 

1.800.222.9698

SHG-023-1011 

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Heat 

Cat

WBGT 

Index,

oF

Easy Work Moderate Work Hard Work

Work/

Rest

(min)

Water 

Intake

(Qt/H)

Work/

Rest

(min)

Water 

Intake

(Qt/H)

Work/

Rest

(min)

Water 

Intake

(Qt/H)

1 78o 

- 81.9o NL 1⁄2 NL 3⁄4 40/20 3⁄4

2 82o - 

84.9o NL 1⁄2 50/10 3⁄4 30/30 1

3 85o 

- 87.9o NL 3⁄4 40/20 3⁄4 30/30 1

4 88o - 

89.9o NL 3⁄4 30/30 3⁄4 20/40 1

5 > 90o 50/10 

min 1 20/40 1 10/50 1

Easy Work = Walking hard surface 2.5 mph <30# load, Weapon maintenance, 

Marksmanship training

Moderate Work = Patrolling, Walking in sand 2.5 mph no load, Calisthenics

Hard Work = Walking in sand 2.5 mph with load, Field assaults

Figure 1: Fluid Replacement and

Work/Rest Guide

Item NSN

Sunscreen Lotion 6505-01-121-2336

Non-alcohol Lotion Base Sunscreen 6505-01-267-1486

DEET Insect Repellent 6840-01-284-3982

Permethrin (IDA Kit) ("Shake & Bake") 6840-01-345-0237

Hearing Protection - Sound Guard Earplugs 6515-00-137-6345

Supply Information

Deployment Health Guide:

Hurricane Response

USAPHC

This deployment health guide provides 

information that can help reduce your 

risk of injury and disease when deployed 

in response to a disaster. Army G-1 

Personnel Policy Guidance (http://www.

armyg1.army.mil/MilitaryPersonnel/ppg.

asp) requires that you also receive a 

preventive medicine briefing prior to your 

deployment.

Overview

Hurricanes are severe tropical storms 

with winds of at least 74 miles per hour. 

The storm may spread outward 400 

miles. Hurricanes can produce incredible 

waves, violent winds, torrential rains and 

floods.

The main hazards associated with 

hurricane response are exposure to 

flood water, electrical hazards, carbon 

monoxide, physical injury, heat and cold 

stress, unstable structures, hazardous 

materials, fire, and confined spaces. 

Dealing with Human Remains

In disasters, there is the possibility of coming in 

contact with people who have died under tragic 

circumstances. Leave in place and notify mortuary 

affairs or your chain of command. Note that human 

and animal remains do not pose a disease threat 

for people not directly involved with recovery.

If you do work directly with remains: 

` Wear latex or similar gloves with a cut-proof 

inner glove. 

` Limit exposure to the stimuli - use screens and 

barriers to reduce views. 

` You may experience a variety of feelings. Do 

not keep these emotions inside. They are 

normal, and are best worked through by talking 

with your team. 

` Do not hesitate to talk with a chaplain or with a 

mental health provider in your area.

Permethrin 

on 

Uniform

DEET on 

Exposed 

Skin

Properly 

Worn 

Uniform

Permethrin 

Treated 

Bed Net

Anti-Malarial 

Medication

as 

Prescribed

+ + + +
Communication

Other Federal, state, and local officials may 

have higher authority than your agency and 

they may be coordinating the on-scene efforts. 

Communicate with them and understand how 

your mission fits into the response efforts.

Site Safety

Before you begin any response efforts, an 

on-scene safety officer should brief you about 

site safety and health issues. As conditions 

and missions change, the safety officer should 

provide updated information to allow for 

adjustments in safety measures.

Exposure to Floodwater

Flooding can cause the disruption of water 

purification and sewage disposal systems and 

overflowing of toxic waste and chemical storage 

sites. Most floods do not cause serious outbreaks 

but they can cause sickness in workers who 

encounter contaminated floodwater. Avoid 

unnecessary contact with any floodwater. Assume 

that floodwater is not safe unless authorities have 

specifically declared it safe. To avoid disease 

wash hands at every opportunity. Before entering 

floodwaters, you should don plastic or rubber 

gloves, boots, and other protective clothing 

needed to avoid contact with floodwater.

Electrical Hazards

If there has been water anywhere near electrical 

circuits and electrical equipment, turn off the 

power at the main breaker or fuse on the service 

panel. 

Do not turn the power back on until the electrical 

equipment has been inspected by an electrician.

If you must work near a downed power line, 

contact the utility company to de-energize and 

ground or shield the power lines.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas 

and it can kill you. Gasoline- or diesel-powered 

pumps, generators and pressure washers 

produce carbon monoxide. Never operate 

gasoline-powered equipment indoors. Symptoms of 

low-level exposure include shortness of breath, mild 

nausea, and mild headaches. If you suspect carbon 

monoxide exposure, move to fresh air immediately 

and seek medical attention.

Physical Injury

Moving debris can cause cuts, scrapes, bruises, and 

sprains especially to the hands, back, knees, and 

shoulders. Wear leather gloves, safety goggles, and 

steel-toed shoes. Avoid lifting more than 50 pounds 

per person. Be sure you’ve had a tetanus vaccination 

within the past 10 years.

Heat and Cold Stress

Heat

` Full heat acclimatization takes 7-14 days of 

physical exertion in the heat. Physical exertion 

should start slowly but increase in intensity and 

duration.

` Drink enough water to replace sweat loss. If your 

urine becomes dark yellow and infrequent, drink 

more fluid. 

` Use work-rest cycles and when possible, work 

during the cooler hours of the day. (See figure 1)

` Get medical attention for heat cramps, exhaustion, 

or stroke.

` Use sunscreen.

Cold

` Remember C-O-L-D: keep clothing Clean, avoid 

Overheating, wear clothing Loose and in layers, 

and keep clothing Dry. 

` Standing or working in water that is cooler than 

75° F will remove body heat faster than it can 

be replaced and can result in hypothermia. Take 

frequent breaks out of the water.

` Change your socks frequently to keep your 

feet dry. 

` Use the buddy system to check for signs of 

cold injury.

` Get medical help for loss of sensitivity in any body 

part, mental slowness, or uncontrollable shivering.

Unstable Structures

Flood waters can damage walkways, parking 

lots, roads, buildings, and open fields. Don’t work 

around any flood-damaged building until it has 

been certified safe by an engineer or architect. 

Assume all structures are unsafe until they are 

inspected. Leave at once if shifting or noise 

signals a possible collapse.

Hazardous Materials

Flood waters may dislodge tanks, drums and 

pipes containing hazardous materials. Contact 

the local fire department or hazardous materials 

team before moving unidentified containers. In 

contaminated areas, wear protective clothing and 

respirators. Wash exposed skin areas frequently. 

Fire

Fire protection systems may be inoperable. Bring 

two or more fire extinguishers with a UL rating of 

at least 10A (suitable for putting out wood, paper 

and cloth fires) to each cleanup job.

Confined Spaces

Toxic gases, a lack of oxygen, or explosive 

conditions may exist in a confined area. Because 

many toxic gases and vapors cannot be seen or 

smelled, never enter a confined space unless 

you have been properly trained; even to rescue 

a fellow worker! Contact the fire department for 

help. 

If you are certified to enter confined spaces: 

` Molding or fermenting agricultural materials in 

confined spaces may generate large amounts 

of toxic gases which could cause lung 

damage or death if inhaled.

` Turn on fans or blowers in silos and other 

storage areas at least 30 minutes before 

entering and leave them on while working. 

Bloodborne Pathogens

If you come in contact with blood or other 

body fluids, treat the blood and body fluids as 

infectious. Wear gloves and eye protection. If 

necessary, you can improvise with a towel or 

plastic bag to avoid contact.