Visit from RADM Craig Vanderwagen• OnApril10,RADMCraigVanderwagen,thefirstU.S.

DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices(HHS)AssistantSecretaryforPreparednessandResponse,andkeyEmergencySupportFunction#8(ESF#8)RegionXstaffvisitedwithOregonPublicHealthDivisionInterimDirectorMikeSkeels,Ph.D.;MedicalEpidemiologistPaulLewis,M.D.,PHEPDirectorMikeHarryman,B.S.B./M.,andMultnomahCountyHealthOfficerGaryOxman,M.D.,M.P.H.

• Duringthevisit,HarrymanprovidedanoverviewofOregon’sHospitalPreparednessProgram,andOxmandiscussedhowfundinghasassistedtheregioninhealthcarepreparednessactivitiesoverthepastfiveyears.

• InsupportoftheSurgeonGeneral,VanderwagenservedastheU.S.PublicHealthService(USPHS)ChiefProfessionalOfficerfortheMedicalCategoryoftheCommissionedOfficersCorps.Heprovidesguidanceandadviceformorethan1,300USPHSphysicians.

Index/Hotlinks to Articles• CDCCooperativeAgreement,2• HPPGrantApplication,2• CDCSiteVisit,3• OEMAConference,4• PHEPPlannerRecognized,4• WinterStormReimbursement,4• CSEPPExercise,5• Cross-BorderWorkshop,5• JICExercises,5• VulnerablePopulations,6• FEMAAdvisoryCouncil,6• CommunityPartnerof

ExcellenceAward,6• ESF#8AdvisoryMeeting,6• Director’sExcellenceAwards,7• CrisisandEmergencyRisk

CommunicationTraining,7• CitiesReadinessInitiative

TabletopExercise,7• HarrymanTappedforASTHO

Group,8• HealthAlertNetwork(HAN)

BrochuresAvailable,8• HANUpgradeScheduled,8• HANUserGroupBegins,8• NewSatellitePhonesComing,9• DeschutesExpandsHANUse,9• ICSTrainingPlanned,9• E-LearningUpdate,9• SNSPlanning,10• SignsforMedicationCenters,10• PublicHealthHazard

VulnerabilityAssessments,10• ONAConference,11• CSTVisitsOSPHL,11• ChempackAgreement,11• PHEPRegion1News,11• HPPRegion3News,11• OlympicTrials,12• StaffChanges,12

PHEP Program Director Mike Harryman (from left) meets with U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) RADM Craig Vanderwagen, ASPR Executive Assistant Lt. Mike McKinnon, HHS Region X Emergency Coordinator Capt. David Kerschner, and ASPR Senior Program Analyst Esmeralda Pereira.

DHS: Public Health Division July 2008

UpdateReport on Public Health Emergency Preparedness in Oregon

2008-2009 CDC Cooperative Agreement• TheU.S.DepartmentofHealthand

HumanServices’CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)recentlyreleasedtheguidanceforcontinuationofthePublicHealthEmergencyPreparedness(PHEP)CooperativeAgreementforfiscalyear2008.

• Oregonisslatedtoreceiveapproximately$8.5millioninbasefundingand$571,687inCitiesReadinessInitiativefundinginfiscalyear2008.

• Beginninginfiscalyear2009,fivepercentofPHEPCooperativeAgreementfundingmustbematchedbynon-federalcontributions.Thisamountincreasestonotlessthan10percentinsubsequentyears.

• Fundsareintendedtoupgradestateandlocalpublichealthjurisdictions’preparednessandresponsetobioterrorism,outbreaksofinfectiousdiseases,andotherpublichealththreatsandemergencies.

• TheFederalPandemicandAll-HazardsPreparednessActrequiresstatestomeetthefollowinggoals:o Integratingpublichealthandpublicand

privatemedicalcapabilitieswithotherfirstrespondersystems;

o Developingandsustainingessentialstate,local,andtribalpublichealthsecuritycapabilities,includingdiseasesituationalawareness,diseasecontainment,riskcommunicationandpublicpreparedness,andtherapiddistributionandadministrationofmedicalcountermeasures;

o Addressingthepublichealthandmedicalneedsofat-riskindividualsintheeventofapublichealthemergency;

o Minimizingduplicationandassuringcoordinationamongstate,local,andtribalplanning,preparedness,andresponseactivitiesinaccordancewiththeNationalResponseFramework,

theNationalIncidentManagementSystem,andtheNationalPreparednessGoal;

o Maintainingvitalpublichealthandmedicalservicestoallowforoptimalfederal,state,local,andtribaloperationsintheeventofapublichealthemergency;and

o Developingandtestinganeffectiveplanforrespondingtopandemicinfluenza.

• Inaddition,statesmustmeetspecificevidence-basedbenchmarksandobjectivestandardsestablishedbytheCDC.o Demonstratedcapabilitytonotify

primary,secondary,andtertiarystafftocoverallincidentmanagementfunctionalrolesduringacomplexincident.

o Demonstratedcapabilitytoreceive,stage,store,distribute,anddispensematerialsduringapublichealthemergency.

• Substantialfailuretomeetthesebenchmarksandstandards,aswellasotherrequirements,willresultinwithholdingoffiscalyear2009funds.

Hospital Preparedness Program Grant Application• TheDepartmentofHealthandHuman

Services(HHS)OfficeoftheAssistantSecretaryforPreparednessandResponse(ASPR)recentlyannouncedtheavailabilityoffundingfortheHospitalPreparednessProgram(HPP)forfiscalyear2008.

• Oregonisslatedtoreceiveapproximately$4.98millioninHPPfundinginfiscalyear2008.

• Theprogramhasset25objectivesfor2008inthefollowingareas:o IncorporateNationalIncident

ManagementSystem(NIMS)healthcareobjectivesintoallexercisesandprioritizesofacilitiescanmeetfiscal

PHEP Update, Pg. 2 July 2008

year2008NIMSobjectiveso Enhanceinteroperable

communicationso Marketandtrainintheuseof

HOSCAP,Oregon’sHospitalCapacityWebsite,whichispartofthenationalHAvBedsystem

o Activate,marketandtesttheWeb-basedmedicalvolunteerregistry

o Rollout,trainandexercisetheFatalityManagementPlan

o Conducttabletopandfunctionalexercisesofthemedicalevacuationandshelter-in-placeplansduringCascadiaPeril,thestatewidefull-scaleearthquakeandtsunamiexerciseplannedforApril2009

o Workwiththefederalregionalemergencycoordinatortorefineplansforalternatecaresites

o DemonstratemedicalsurgecapacityaspartoftheCDCpandemicinfluenzaplanningandresponse.

• Inaddition,fundingwillsupportthefollowingsystemprojects:o AnnualmaintenanceoftheHealth

AlertNetwork(HAN),HOSCAPandmedicalvolunteerregistry

o UpgradestotheHOSCAPsystemo HAN,HOSCAPandmedicalvolunteer

registrytrainingo Supportfortrainingandexerciseso Chempackmonitoringfeeso Purchaseandleasingofsatellite

phonesforeveryhospitalo Automatedmedicallicense

validationwithOregonandnationalcredentialingboards.

• AlloftheseobjectivesandsystemprojectsaredesignedtoenhanceOregon’sabilitytorespondtoanemergencywithpublichealthandhealthcareresourcesandincorporatetheconceptof‘trainhowyouwouldrespond.’

CDC Cooperative Agreement Project Officer Andrea Davis, Division of State and Local Readiness Branch Chief Jerilyn Gilbert and other CDC staff visited Oregon in March to assess Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program planning activities and accomplishments.

PHEP Update, Pg. 3 July 2008

CDC Cooperative Agreement Site Visit• AndreaDavis,thefederalproject

officerforOregon’sPHEPCooperativeAgreementwiththeCDC,andotherkeyCDCstaffconductedasitevisitMarch20-25toassessPHEPprogramgoals,objectivesandgrant-relatedissues.

• Duringthevisit,CDCrepresentativesreceivedbriefingsonkeyPHEPactivitiesandvisitedtheOregonPoisonCenter,ClatsopCountyHealthDepartment,GrandRondeTribalPreparednessProgram,andtheStateEmergencyCoordinationCenter.

• ThevisitprovidedCDCpartnerswithanopportunitytogainabetterunderstandingofthePHEPprogram,includingthefiscalandoperationalconstraintsunderwhichOregonmustmanagetheprogram.

• ThePHEPCooperativeAgreementisbasedonninepreparednessgoalsintendedtoframeurgentpublichealthsystemresponseconceptsforallhazards,includingterrorismandnon-terrorismevents,infectiousdisease,environmentalandoccupation-relatedemergencies.

• Inadditiontotheninegoals,theCooperativeAgreementrequirescontinuationoftheSeniorAdvisoryCommittee,integrationwithother

entities,implementationofinteroperableinformationsystems,andcompletionofariskmitigationplanbasedonahazardandvulnerabilityassessment.

• Followingthevisit,DavisnotedthatOregonisdoingextremelywellanddemonstratesastrongpublichealthinfrastructureandleadership.

Oregon Emergency Management Association Conference• SeveralstafffromthePublicHealth

EmergencyPreparednessprogramattendedthisyear’sOregonEmergencyManagementAssociation(OEMA)ConferenceApril21-24inSunriver.ThethemeoftheconferencewasPartnersinPreparingOregon.

• PHEPstaffshowcasedtheHealthAlertNetwork(HAN)intheexhibithallandpresentedinformationonOregon’supdatedpublichealthemergencylaws(HB2185).

• Someofthebreakoutsessionsthatstaffattendedwere:o NationalResponseFramework

andNationalIncidentManagementSystem;

o VictimsServices:ACriticalPartnerinTerrorismandMassCasualtyEvents;and

o UseofIncidentManagementTeams(IMTs)forAll-HazardResponse.

PHEP Update, Pg. 4 July 2008

The PHEP display was one of many exhibits during Public Health Week, April 7-11, at the State Office Building in Portland.

PHEP Planner Randy Shaw (from left), his wife Mary, and PHEP Director Mike Harryman at the Oregon Emergency Management Association awards ceremony. Shaw received a Member Award for Coordination.

PHEP Planner recognized by Oregon Emergency Management Association• DuringtheOregonEmergency

ManagementAssociation(OEMA)ConferenceinApril,PHEPPlannerRandyShawwashonoredwithaMemberAwardforCoordinationatthestatelevel.ShawplayedacriticalroleintheplanningofpublichealthandmedicalservicesactivitiesfortheTOPOFF4NationalLevelExerciseinOregoninOctober2007,andwastheIncidentManagerforthePublicHealthAgencyOperationsCenterduringtheresponseandrecoveryeffortsfortheDecember2007winterstormdisaster.

Winter Storm Reimbursement• FederalFEMAreimbursementhas

beenreceivedforPHEPexpendituresduringresponseandrecoveryeffortsforthe2007winterstormthatcausedwidespreadpoweroutagesandflooding.

• PHEP’sfinanceofficertrackedallexpensesrelatedtostaffingtheAgencyOperationsCenterforfivedaysinsupportofthehealthandmedical(ESF#8)responseandrecoverytothestate-declaredemergency.

Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program Exercise, National Level Exercise (NLE 2-08)• Forthesecondtimeinsix-months,

OregonPublicHealthDivision(OPHD)staffparticipatedinaNational-LevelExercise(NLE).

• ThistimethefocuswasontheChemicalStockpileEmergencyPreparednessProgram(CSEPP)exercise,May5-7.Thescenarioforthethree-dayexercisewasbasedonthereleaseofthedeadlynerveagentVX,asanaerosolandvaporattheUmatillaArmyDepot,withoff-posthazardsdownwind.ThefictitiousreleaseaffectedUmatillaandMorrowcountiesinOregonandBentonCountyinWashington.Thiswasarecoveryexercisewithlimitedfieldplay.

• TheOregonStatePublicHealthLab,PHEPAgencyOperationsCenter(AOC),andvariousotherpublichealthemployeesstaffedthreeincidentmanagementteams.

• Manystateandfederalagenciesparticipatedintheexercise,aswell.InadditiontotheAOC,PHEPstaffworkedattheOregonEmergencyCoordinationCenterandattheUmatillaCountyEmergencyOperationsCenterinsupportoftheMulti-AgencyCoordinationCenter(MACC).

Cross-Border Workshop • PHEPDirectorMikeHarryman,

B.S.B./M.,OregonDepartmentofJusticeGeneralCounseltoOPHDShannonO’Fallon,J.D.,andMedicalEpidemiologistPaulLewis,M.D.,attendedthefifthannualbi-nationalcross-borderworkshop,“PublicHealthCollaboration:MassGatheringsandMajorEvents,”May14-16inBellingham,Wash.

• Workshopparticipantscontinuedtheworkofbuildingandmaintainingcross-borderpublichealthsurveillance,

communicationandmutualassistancerelationships.

• ThisannualconferencebringstogetherthepublichealthandmedicalservicegroupsfromthePacificNorthwestEmergencyManagementArrangement(PNWEMA)signatories,includingAlaska,BritishColumbia,Idaho,Oregon,WashingtonandtheYukon.

• Thisyear’sworkshopfeatureddiscussionsaboutthe2010OlympicandParalympicWinterGamesinBritishColumbia.

• InpreparingfortheOlympics,BritishColumbiaandWashingtonStatearedevelopingacross-borderemergencymedicalservicesplantomanageanytypeofincidentthatmayarise.AprimaryfocusforOregonwillbethepossibilityofprovidingsurgeresourcesinpublichealthandmedicalservicestoWashingtonState,ifnecessary.

Joint Information Center Exercises• InanticipationoftheannualChemical

StockpileEmergencyPreparednessExercise,PHEPPublicInformationPlannerChristieHolmgren,B.A.,APR,providedaday-longJointInformationSystem/JointInformationCenter(JIS/JIC)trainingandfunctionalexerciseforOregonDepartmentofHumanServicespublicinformationofficers(PIOs)andhealtheducatorsonApril15.ThreeteamsofthreePIOsstaffedthePHEPAgencyOperationsCenterduringthethree-dayexerciseinearlyMay.

• HealthAlertNetwork(HAN)ManagerKevinCradock,B.A.,B.S.,providedtrainingontheHANalertingsystem,andHolmgrenprovidedtrainingandafunctionalexerciseontheuseoftheVirtualJointInformationCenterforHospitalPreparednessProgramRegion6publicinformationofficersonApril17atMid-ColumbiaMedicalCenterinTheDalles.

PHEP Update, Pg. 5 July 2008

• HolmgrenalsoprovidedanoverviewofJIS/JICforYamhillCountyPIOsonMay9atWillametteValleyMedicalCenterinMcMinnville.

Department of Human Services Vulnerable Populations Task Force Project Update• TheDepartmentofHumanServices

(DHS)VulnerablePopulationsTaskForceproject,formerlyhousedwiththePHEPprogramatthestateofficebuildinginPortland,hasmovedtotheHumanServicesBuildinginSalem.TheprojectismovingintoacriticalphaseandinteractionwithsignificantDHSstaffinSalemwillhelpensurethesuccessoftheproject.

• ProjectManagerBillRiley,M.S.W.,willbereportingtoDHSAdministrativeServicesDivisionDeputyJeremyEmerson.

• Rileycanbereachedat503-754-4679,orviae-mailat:Bill.Riley@state.or.us.

FEMA Regional Advisory Council• PHEPDirectorMikeHarrymanand

EmergencyMedicalServices(EMS)DirectorBobLeopoldattendedthequarterlyFEMARegionalAdvisoryCouncil(RAC)meetingforRegionXonApril16.

• Theday-longmeetingbroughttogethercrossdisciplineswithintheRegionXstatesofAlaska,Idaho,OregonandWashington.OtherOregonrepresentativesincludeColumbiaCountyCommissionerTonyHyde,OregonEmergencyManagementDirectorKenMurphy,andAdjutantGeneralMGRaymondRees.

• Akeyfocusforthismeetingwastheregion’sresponsetothewinterstormthathitOregonandWashingtoninearlyDecember2007.Hydegavehisinsightsonthechallengeshefacedasalocalofficialinrespondingtoandrecoveringfromtheflood,andhowFEMAprocessesandprogramsmightbeimproved.

• OtherRACmembersdiscussedpublichealthimpacts,lawenforcementissues,specialneedspopulationchallenges,fireserviceissues,economicimpactsandtribalissues.

Community Partner of Excellence Award • TheNWOregonHealthPreparedness

OrganizationrecentlyrecognizedtheOregonPublicHealthDivisionPHEPprogramwithaCommunityPartnerofExcellenceawardfor“Outstandingwork,commitmenttoregionalcollaboration,anddedicationtosafeguardingourcommunity’shealthintheeventofadisaster.”

• Theawardwaspresentedduringtheorganization’sannualemergencypreparednesssummitonMay27,inPortland.

• HealthCareSystemsProgramManagerJereHighN.D.,B.S.,andPlannerMikeSwinhoe,M.B.A.,acceptedtheawardonbehalfoftheprogram.

Oregon Emergency Support Function #8 Advisory Committee Meeting• Thebi-monthlyEmergencySupport

Function#8(ESF#8),PublicHealthandMedicalServicesAdvisoryCommitteemetonMay29.TheprimaryroleofthegroupistoprovideexpertadviceonpolicydirectiontotheOPHD,includingthePHEPprogram.

• PolicyrecommendationsarefocusedonactivitiesencompassedbyAnnexF,PublicHealthandMedicalServices(ESF#8):VolumeIIoftheStateofOregonEmergencyOperationsPlan.

• Updatesprovidedduringthemeetingincluded:o OregonLawCommissiono PostUmatillaChemicalStockpile

(NLE2-08)full-scaleexerciseo TheMayNationalDisasterMedical

System(NDMS)exerciseo Governor’sHomelandSecurity

PHEP Update, Pg. 6 July 2008

Cities Readiness Initiative Tabletop Exercise• Approximately50emergencyresponse

partnersparticipatedinaCitiesReadinessInitiativetabletopexerciseonJune10inPortland.Theday-longexercisefocusedonabiologicalattackscenarioinvolvinganthrax.

• Theexercisewasdesignedtoevaluateorganizationalresponseplansandcapabilities,riskcommunications,andresourceorderingandallocationprocedureswithinthefive-countyUrbanAreaStrategicInitiativeregion.

• Exerciseparticipantsincludedrepresentativesfrompublichealth,hospitals,lawenforcement,transportation,emergencymanagement,criticalinfrastructureandtheprivatesectorfromClarkCountyinWashington,andMultnomah,Washington,ClackamasandColumbiacountiesinOregon.

PHEP Update, Pg. 7 July 2008

Councilo CDC&HPPCooperativeAgreementso 3-5yearESF#8goalso MedicalReserveCorps(MRC)/

DisasterMedicalAssistanceTeam(DMAT)

o Oregonmedicalvolunteerregistryo Olympictrackandfieldtrialsin

Eugene.

Special Director’s Excellence Awards• OPHDandPHEPstaffareamong

numerousDHSemployeesbeinghonoredbyDHSDirectorBruceGoldberg,M.D.,withaSpecialDirector’sExcellenceAwardfortheirrolesinkeepingpeoplesafebefore,duringandafterthestormsandfloodinginDecember2007.

• OPHDandPHEPstaffsupportedmedicalrespondersinthefield,providedneededvaccines,disseminatedcrucialinformationonprotectiveactions,testeddrinkingwater,and“workednon-stopindifficultconditionstoservethethousandsofOregoniansaffectedbythestormsandfloods,”saidGoldberg.

Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Training• PHEPPublicInformationPlanner

ChristieHolmgren,B.A.,APR,providedaday-long“CrisisandEmergencyRiskCommunicationByLeadersforLeaders,”traininginBendonJune2.

• ParticipantsincludedpublicinformationofficersandpotentialspokespeoplefromWasco/Sherman,Deschutes,Crook,Lane,HoodRiverandColumbiacountyhealthdepartments;St.CharlesMedicalCenter,CascadeHealthcareCommunityandMt.ViewHospital;andtheConfederatedTribesoftheUmatillaIndianReservation.

Clackamas County Community Health Division EMS Supervisor Larry MacDaniels discusses emergency preparedness with other Clackamas County representatives during the Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) tabletop exercise in June.

Legacy Health System Director of Security John Reid (above, left) discusses hospital preparedness with Hospital Preparedness Program Region 1 Coordinator Christine Bernsten during the CRI tabletop.

Harryman Tapped for ASTHO Group• PHEPDirectorMike

Harryman,B.S.B./M.,hasbeeninvitedtoparticipateinanewAssociationofStateandTerritorialHealthOfficers(ASTHO)focusgroupthatwillofferguidanceonissuesrelatedtohealthcaresystempreparedness.

• ASTHOhasreceivedfundingfromtheAssistantSecretaryforPreparednessandResponse(ASPR)togatherinformationonhowstatescollectperformancemea-suredatafromhospitals,healthcarecoali-tions,andotherhealthcareorganizations.

• ASTHOhasinvited12oftheASPRHos-pitalPreparednessCoordinatorstopro-videinputonthisprojectforthedurationofthecontract,whichendsinMay2009.

• Theprojectaimstoidentifytheinforma-tionmanagementsystemsthatstateshaveinplaceforcollectingdataonHAvBEDavailability,theEmergencySys-temforAdvanceRegistrationofVolunteerHealthProfessionals(ESAR-VHP),collec-tionofAfter-ActionReports(AARs),writ-tenplans,andpromisingpracticeswithinthestate.

• Membersofthisfocusworkgroupwillbeinterviewedforthecollectionofthisinformation,offerexamplesofinnova-tiveactivitiesoccurringintheirownstate,andprovideinsightasneededtofulfilltheobjectivesofthisproject.

Health Alert Network Brochures Available• ThenewHealthAlertNetwork(HAN)

andHospitalCapacity(HOSCAP)Websitebrochureisnowavailable.Partneragenciesandorganizationscanplacetheirorderfree-of-chargebycontactingMichelleTworogeratmichelle.b.tworoger@state.or.us.OregonPHEPisencouragingallpartneragenciestoretaincopiestopromoteuseandtrainingonHAN.

Major Health Alert Network upgrade scheduled for winter 2008 • HealthAlertNetwork(HAN)Manager

KevinCradock,B.A.,B.S.,andtheHANstaffarepreparingthesystemforamajorsoftwareupgradethiswintertoHANversion5.0.

• TheupgradewillincludeamigrationtoWindowsSharePoint2007,andsubstantiallyenhancethesystem'scollaborativefunctionality.

• AccordingtoCradock,thecurrentplanistoupgradetheHANbackupsystemfirsttoensurethekeyfunctionalitiesareunaffectedandtested.Oncethebackupsystemisstabilized,theprimary(orproduction)systemwillbeupgradedovernight.

• TheTrainingandExerciseDesignUnitwillmodifytheHAN201andHAN301trainingtoprepareforthisupgrade.

• “ThissystemenhancementisthemostsignificanttechnologyupgradeHANhasundertakensincetheinitialCDCHANgrantin1999,”saidCradock.

Health Alert Network User Group Begins• IntermediateHealthAlertNetwork

(HAN)users(knownascollaborators)andadvancedHANusers(knownasadministrators)willbeencouragedtoparticipateinmonthlyusergroupsessionsbeginninginJuly.HANAdministratorNickMaywillfacilitatethesesessionsonlineandviateleconference.Thisnewforumwillallowuserstosharebestpractices,learnaboutnewfeaturesandreviewHANusepoliciesandprocedures.

• HANManagerKevinCradock,B.A.,B.S.,saysthisforumisamodeladoptedfromotherstateswithverystrongHANprograms.Severalneighboringstatesoftenhavemorethan100participantspercall.TheusergroupwillmeetonthethirdThursdayofeverymonthforonehour,exceptNovemberandDecember.E-mailHAN.OREGON@state.or.usformoreinformation.

PHEP Update, Pg. 8 July 2008

Health Alert Network Use Expands in Deschutes County• TheDeschutesCountyHealth

Department(DCHD)isincreasingitspresenceontheOregonHealthAlertNetwork(HAN)systembyadding70additionalstaff.

• Manyofthehealthdepartment’scoreteammembersalreadyactivelyusethenetworkforsituationalawareness,businesscommunicationsandexercises.

• ThegoalistohaveallcountyhealthandemergencypreparednessstaffenrolledinordertouseHANastheirprimarynotificationsystem.

• FortyparticipantsfromDeschutesandsurroundingcountiesattendedanon-siteHAN101trainingonMay27and28.ThiscourseisrequiredforallHANusersandprovidesanunderstandingofthehistoryandmissionoftheHANaswellasitsoperationanduserconfigurations.

• Another25individualswillbetrainedremotelyinJuly.

• DCHDHANAdministratorsColetteWhelan,MaryGoodwinandPatriciaThomasspear-headedthisinitiative.

Incident Command System and Exercise Design and Evaluation Training• Aseriesofday-long,position-specific

trainingsinIncidentCommandSystem(ICS)willbeofferedthisfallatfourlocationsaroundthestate.

• Inaddition,anintensivetwoandahalf-daycourseonexercisedesignandcompliancewithnewHomelandSecurityExerciseEvaluationProgram(HSEEP)requirementswillbeofferedatsixlocationsaroundthestate.

• Detailsofthetrainingsessionsarestillbeingfinalized.Localhealthdepartmentsandotherresponsepartnerswillbenotifiedwhendatesandlocationshavebeendetermined.

New Satellite Phones Coming• Overthepastfiveyears,avariety

offederalgrantfundingsourceshaveprovidedhospitalsandhealthdepartmentswithsatellitephones,primarilythroughGlobalStar.

• TheGlobalStarsatelliteconstellationisfailing,whichhasresultedina70percentfailurerateforsatellitecallsthroughoutOregon.ThestatehasbeeninformedthatGlobalStarservicequalitywillcontinuetoworsen.

• Analternateserviceprovider,Iridium,hasbeenevaluatedandchosenasaninterimproviderofsatellitevoiceservices.TheIridiumnetworkiscurrentlyworking,andisexpectedtoworkreliablyforanotherthreetofouryears.

• Consequently,statepublichealth,localhealthdepartments,hospitals,tribesandotherkeypartnerswillreceivenewIridiumhand-heldsatellitephones.

• EachlocalhealthdepartmentwillbeissuedtwoIridium9505Aphoneswithvoiceandvoicemail.Hospitalsandtribeswillreceiveonephonewiththesamefeatures.

• Statepublichealthwillre-issuesatellitephonestokeystaff,programsandpartners.

• Thenewphoneswillhelpensurethathealthdepartments,tribesandhospitalshavearedundantabilitytocommunicateinanemergency,whencriticalcommunicationinfrastructureislost.

• Sincethisreplacementprojectiscurrentlyoutforbiddeliverytimeisstillunknown,butestimatedforlatesummerorearlyfall.

• Allcostsassociatedwiththenewdeviceswillpaidinfullbythestatefortwoyears.Publichealthleadershipandourpartnerswillevaluatefuturefundingprioritiesatthattime.

• Acompletedeploymentofreliablesatellitephonesinthepublichealthandmedicalsystemcouldsavehundredsoflivesinanemergency.

PHEP Update, Pg. 9 July 2008

E-Learning Update• DevelopmentoftheHealthAlert

Network(HAN)andHospitalCapacitywebsite(HOSCAP)e-Learningcourseisexpectedtobecompletedbymid-summer.ThiscoursewillallowHAN/HOSCAPusersaroundthestatetolearnhowtoconfiguretheiraccountprofiles,confirmreceiptofalertsandmaximizetheusageoftheHANandHOSCAPsystemsfortheirorganization.

• Thee-Learningcourseisavailableon-demandand24/7toaccommodateallusersschedules.

• AnoverviewoftheWeb-basedOregonHealthCareVolunteerRegistrywillbeavailableinmid-Julyandwillcreateanavenueforlicensedhealthcareprofessionalstovolunteerfordisasterresponseatthelocal,stateandnationallevels,andprovideopportunitiesforparticipationinhealth-relatedcommunityserviceprojects.

• Inaddition,aLearningCenterAdministratorscourseisexpectedtobelaunchedthisfall.

Strategic National Stockpile Planning• OPHDStrategicNationalStockpile

(SNS)CoordinatorKathyScott,Dr.P.H.,attendedanAssociationofStateandTerritorialHealthOfficers(ASTHO)SNSAdvisoryGroupmeetinginWashington,D.C.,onApril10.

• OregonDepartmentofTransportation(ODOT)Region2EmergencyOperationsManagerKeithAyers,andLoriClinton,whoisaSupplyOperationsManagerwithODOT'sFleetOperations,participatedintheCDC's2008SNSPreparednessCourseinAtlanta,Georgia,April21-25.ODOTisOPHD'stransportationpartnerfortheSNSprogram.

PHEP Update, Pg. 10 July 2008

PHEP to Provide Signage for Medication Centers• Standardizedsetsofsignstoassist

peopleinnavigatingtheirwaythroughemergencymedicationcentersorso-called“pointsofdispensing”arebeingpurchasedbyPHEPforusebylocalhealthdepartmentsthroughoutOregon.

• ThesignsarebasedonthosedevelopedbytheWashingtonDepartmentofHealthandfeaturedirectionsinEnglish,Spanish,Russian,ChineseandVietnamese,aswellassimplepictographstoaidincomprehension.

• ThesignsshouldbereadyfordeliveryinearlyAugust.

Oregon Public Health Division staff presented information on potential public health hazards during workshops held around the state in April and May.

Public Health Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Workshops• DuringAprilandearlyMay,stafffromthe

OPHDOfficeofEnvironmentalPublicHealthandtheAcuteandCommunicableDiseasePreventionsectionheldfourregionaltrainingsonpublichealthhazardvulnerabilityassessmentsinLaGrande,Bend,RoseburgandWoodburn.Localhealthdepartmentandemergencymanagementpersonnelfrom25countiesattendedthesesessions.

• OPHDstaffdiscussedtechnologicalandhuman-causedhazardsthatshouldbeconsideredwhenrankingthreatstoOregoncommunities.

• OPHDtrainersincludedOfficeofEnvironmentalPublicHealthServicesPublicHealthToxicologistMichaelHolcomb,PH.D.;Epidemiologist/EmergencyPreparedness

PHEP Update, Pg. 11 July 2008

PlanningCoordinatorMichaelHeumann,M.P.H.,M.A.;andSeniorIndustrialHygienistRussReasoner,B.S.;andAcuteandCommunicableDiseasePreventionsectionClinicalEpidemiologistBarbaraProgulske,D.V.M.,M.P.H.,D.A.C.V.P.M.

Oregon Nurses Association Conference• TheOregonNursesAssociation

ConferenceonMay16featuredseveralspeakersfromPublicHealthEmergencyPreparednessandtheOfficeofEnvironmentalPublicHealthServices.Thethemeofthisyear'sconferencewas"AlteredStandardsofNursingCareinDisasters:ProtectingYourFamilyandYourCommunity".

• PHEPLeadPlannerNanNewell,Ph.D.,participatedinapaneldiscussiontitled:"AreWePreparedforDisasterinOregon?”

• PHEPPandemicFluPlanner,MichaelKubler,M.S.,presentedon"OregonPublicHealthDivision’sPandemicPlanningUpdate.”

• RadiationProtectionServicesHealthPhysicistJustinSpence,B.S.,presented“RadiologicalResponseConsiderationsforMedicalProfessionals.”

• PublicHealthToxicologistMichaelHolcomb,PH.D.,providedan“IntroductiontoWMDandIndustrialChemicals.”Publichealthtoxicologistsarekeyresponderstochemicalemergenciesincludingterrorismincidents.

• Approximately100peopleattendedtheconference.

Civil Support Team Visits Oregon State Public Health Laboratory• OnMay9,OperationsOfficerCapt.

JuliaApptandotherrepresentativesofthe102ndOregonNationalGuardCivilSupportTeamforWeaponsofMassDestructionmetwithOregonStatePublicHealthLaboratory(OSPHL)andDepartmentofEnvironmentalQualitylab

staffandtouredthenewlabfacilitiesinHillsboro.

• Thefocusofthemeetingwasoncoordinatinglaboratoryresponseactivitiesduringemergencyevents.

Chempack Agreement with California and Nevada• Oregonhassignedanagreementwith

CaliforniaandNevadatobeabletoshareChempackassetsacrosstheborder.Chempacksarenerveagentantidotekits,availableforemergencyuse,whicharekeptatlocalsites.TheagreementcanbeactivatedwithoutanEmergencyManagementAssistanceCompact(EMAC)declaration.

PHEP Region 1 News• Publichealthregionalnotification

proceduresweretestedduringaWashingtonCountyearthquakedrillinJune.LocalpublichealthleadersandstatepreparednessstaffwerenotifiedoftheexerciseemergencyviatheHealthAlertNetwork(HAN)andthenparticipatedinacoordinatingconferencecall.

• Thenextemergencynotificationdrillwillincludehospitalpartners.

Hospital Preparedness Program Region 3 News• HospitalPreparednessProgram(HPP)

Region3CoordinatorTracyDePew,EMT-1,andOregonDisasterMedicalAssistanceTeam(DMAT)memberHelenMiller,M.D.,wererecognizedinMayfortheirworkinpreparednessbyoutgoingLaneCountyMedicalSociety(LCMS)PresidentGaryYoung,M.D.

• MillerledtheDMATthatassistedinNewOrleansfollowingHurricaneKatrina.

• YoungissuedthePresidentialCitationsduringtheMaymeetingoftheLaneCountyMedicalSociety(LCMS).

• MillerwasinstalledasthenewLCMSpresidentforthisterm.

Oregon Department of Human ServicesPublicHealthDivisionPublicHealthEmergencyPreparedness800NEOregonSt.,Suite930Portland,OR97232http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/prepared-ness/phep_newsletter_index.shtml

Ifyouhaveadisabilityandneedthisdocumentinanalternateformat,callNewsletterEditor:ChristieHolmgren,APRPublicInformationCoordinator971-673-1310TTY971-673-0372christie.j.holmgren@state.or.us

UPDATE

PHEP Update, Pg. 12 July 2008

2008 U.S. Olympic Trials Public Health and Medical Preparedness Strategy• LaneCountyisplayinghosttothe2008

U.S.OlympicTrackandFieldTrialsJune27–July6,attheUniversityofOregoninEugene.Inanticipationofthisevent,localpublichealthandhealthcareplannersandemergencyresponsepartnersdevelopedacomprehensivePublicHealthandMedicalPreparednessStrategythatincludesaplanofcareforvisitorstotheareawhobecomeill.

• Thevisitor/spectatorcarestrategywasdevelopedtocreateprimarycarecapacityandmitigatepotentialsurgeathospitalsandtheurgentcaresystem,fornon-seriousinjuriesandillness.

• ThisstrategywasdevelopedbytheLaneCountyMedicalSocietywithcoordinationandsupportfromHospitalPreparednessProgramRegion3andCascadeHealthsolutions.

• Visitors,spectatorsandlocalhotelsarebeingprovidedwithinformationonhowtoaccessthesystemfortheircareneeds.

Staff Changes• PHEPPolicyCoordinator/Epidemiologist

Paul Lewis, M.D.,isleavingOPHDtobecomeadeputyTri-countyHealthOfficerwithresponsibilitiesinClackamasandWashingtoncounties.Concurrently,hewillpursueamaster’sdegreeinpublichealththroughadistance-learningprogramattheUniversityofNorthCarolina.LewisjoinedthePHEPintheepidemiologygroupinearly2004,andhastakenaleadroleindevelopingthestatepandemicinfluenzaplanandprovidedleadershipincreatingtheMedicalAdvisoryGroup.

• PandemicinfluenzaplannerJulie Plagenhoef, M.P.H.,hasacceptedapositionintheAcuteandCommunicableDiseasePreventionsectionworkingtoenhancecollaborationwiththeOregonPoisonCenter.Forthenextcouple

ofmonths,Plagenhoefwillcontinuetosupportantiviralplanningwhiletransitioningintohernewjob.

• Bridget Johnson, M.S.,hasjoinedPHEPasapublicinformationinternthroughtheInternOregonprogram.Johnson,whorecentlycompletedhermaster’sdegreeinhealtheducation,willbedevelopingpandemicinfluenzamaterialsforschools.

• Catherine Gonzalez-MadduxhasjoinedtheAcuteandCommunicableDiseasePreventionsectionasanepidemiologyandpreparednessinternthroughtheInternOregonprogram.Gonzalez-Maddux,whorecentlycompletedthefirstyearofanM.P.H.programinepidemiology,willanalyzeinfluenzadataandcreateplanningpartnershipswithcriticalinfrastructureorganizations.ThiswillincludehelpingorganizeasummitbetweenpublichealthandregionalpowerutilitiesplannedforSeptember.