Title
Public Health Department recommending approval, in concept, of the submission of a grant application to the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) in the amount of $8,000 supporting the planning and development of an emergency response to public health emergencies, including acts of bioterrorism, specifically related to the use of GIS mapping and data tracking.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve.
FUNDING: NACCHO grant.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY:
Total Estimated Cost $0
Funding
Budgeted $
New Funding $
Savings $
Other $
Total Funding Available $
Change To Net County Cost $0
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: If application is successful, County shall receive a single sum of $8,000. There is no net County cost.
Background: The Public Health Department is responsible for managing emergency response for medical exposures in coordination with the County Office of Emergency Services, law enforcement, local fire departments, and other local, state, regional and federal governmental agencies. As part of that responsibility, the Department organizes, develops, and participates in training exercises used to gain insight into possible issues, problems, concerns, etc. that might arise in the event of a public health emergency.
Reason for Recommendation: The purpose of this grant will be to support an exercise utilizing GIS data for the tracking of a toxic substance and the deployment of resources concerning evacuation, public health risk containment, mass casualty clearance, and hazard mitigation. The exercise will involve the simulation of a terrorist attack resulting in a toxic cloud dispersing over a densely populated area. The overall objectives will include a test of the process for notifying the Public Health and Environmental Management Departments of the hazardous exposure and the utilization of GIS software to provide information to coordinate the EMS resp...
Click here for full text