ERHMS

Purpose

On-siteResponderIn-processing

There are three significant, potentially integratedcomponentsofon-site responderin-processing.Arostershouldbeused 

to log everyone who reportsto the disaster. Site-specific training (SST)should be performed priorto responders entering 

a disaster controlzone.A variety of PPEmay be needed, and formanyworkers,this equipment will be issued or dispensed 

to them during their SST training or asthey are placed on the response roster.

TheOn-siteResponderRoster:Pre-event,Event,andPost-eventPrinciples 

Pre-eventRosteringPrinciples

When a roster exists before an event, the following can be 

accomplished:

• Responders can be rapidlymobilized.

• Workers can be located and contacted after a disaster when 

adverse health exposure follow-up is indicated.

On-site responder rostering of emergency services personnel

Event Rostering Principles

Activation...The Incident Command System (ICS) should establish a system to roster all responders.

Location...A single location or limited number ofspecified locationsshould be established that arriving and departing 

responsepersonnelmustpassthrough.

Operation...Demographic information about each workershould be systematically collected into a permanent electronic 

recordkeeping.

Integration...Rostering information should be collected within the same information system or linked to other information systems to identify adverse health events.

Post-event Rostering Principles

Recordkeeping...A roster can be used asthe baseline contact mechanism to create a registry of workers affected by 

adverse health consequences.

Demobilization...In addition to capturing the start and end dates ofservice, an exit de-briefing can be provided and an 

out-processing survey collected.

Security...Apost-eventdispositionplanshould bedeterminedforthe secure transfer, long-termstorage, andfuture retrieval of the rosterrecords.
ERHMS

SST

SST provides training orientation to hazards and protection measures unique to a site.

• SST can be written, prerecorded, or provided orally as a briefing.

• Toolkits with materials relevant to the disaster should be prepared ahead of time.

• Materialsshouldmeetthe language andcomprehensionlevelsofthe responseworkers.

• Methods notrequiring electricitymay need to be used in case of power outages.

• SST received by respondersshould be documented.

• Data fortraining done before deploymentshould be collected during rostering process.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) dispensing and documentation

For many workers, their PPE will be issued or dispensed to them during their site-specific training or as they arrive at the response scene and are placed on the response roster. 

The following should be recorded:

• The amount, type, and condition of the PPE that is issued.

• If the responder has received training and has been fit-tested for the equipment.

Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance

The Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance (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/orsigns and symptoms early in the course of an emergency response in 

orderto prevent ormitigate adverse physical and psychological outcomes and ensure

workersmaintain their ability to respond effectively and are not harmed in the course 

ofthisresponse work.Data will also help to identify during the post-deployment phase 

which responders would benefit from medical referral and possible enrollment in a 

long-term health surveillance program. Please refer to Chapter 5 and section 5T for 

moreinformationonOn-siteResponderIn-processing.

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

erhmsonline@cdc.gov

For more information on ERHMS, please visit: 

www.cdc.gov/niosh/erhms

PPE such as a hardhat, safety glasses, and ear plugs aid in protecting worker 

health and safety