Public Health Emergency Response
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Future:
1. Planning and Response:
In the future, PH-ERC plans to continue the work in planning that has been started by improving existing plans and creating other, more specific plans. PH-ERC will also continue to increasing health department networking and other agency or government entities understanding of public health’s role in events and their role with us.
2. Information Technology:
On-going assessment of needs for computers for staff, some staff is still sharing systems. The I-NEDSS system should be operational statewide by the end of 2003. We start improving/having redundant communication systems for periods when normal systems fail.
3. Continuing Education:
The staff is required by the state and federal agencies to participate in a training needs assessment relative to workforce development and bioterrorism preparedness and response in 2003. Based on their personal assessment, training will be tailored to their needs. Additionally, applicable staff will need and receive training in the I-NEDSS system.
4. Epidemiology (study of the occurrence and distribution of disease):
The LEED will be working with the state with a goal of implementing new and inventive active and syndromic local surveillance activities that will enhance the health department’s ability to recognize a terrorist event or infectious disease outbreak in the earliest stages.