COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Services Agency

DATE:

August 1, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 20, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Margaret Taylor, Director of Health Services

Brian Zamora, Director of Public Health and Environmental Protection
Scott Morrow, M.D., M.P.H., Health Officer

SUBJECT:

California Department of Health Services Bioterrorism Agreement

Recommendation

1.

Receive and accept the Report from the Health Officer regarding Public Health Preparedness for Biological or Chemical Terrorist Events.

2.

Adopt a Resolution:

1)

Authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to sign an agreement with the State of California Department of Health Services Emergency Preparedness Office to address emergency response to local bioterrorism activities.

2)

Authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to sign the subsequent agreements for the remaining 2002-03 funding for Bioterrorism Preparation and defense planning, allocations and other related documents.

3.

Adopt a Salary Ordinance Amendment adding staffing for Public Health infrastructure as required for the State Agreement for bioterrorism activities

Background

At the federal, state and local levels, a number of activities supporting our disaster and terrorism preparedness have occurred since our nation was attacked last September and October. Our vulnerabilities were made clear as a result of these terrorist acts. While no actual attack occurred here, our collective resources were pushed to their limits. We have been attempting to aggressively address these vulnerabilities in the months since the attacks. The Federal Government now recognizes that the Public Health infrastructure has badly deteriorated over the last thirty years; the decay of this infrastructure has lead to a national security risk. In an attempt to remedy the situation, funds have been made available to begin the process of building an adequate Public Health infrastructure for disaster response that will be able to respond to the threats of the 21^st century.

Discussion

The comprehensive report of the Health Officer explains in detail the areas in which the County will increase its capacity to respond to chemical and biological terrorism and to natural disasters.

Funding for Bioterrorism Preparation has been awarded to San Mateo County in two increments. The first, for $189,111 is for preliminary planning, made up of a work plan to address emergency response and submission of a Bioterrorism Preparedness Plan. That plan is the basis for the second increment of $820,423 for continued implementation of the plan for improvement in Public Health's capacity to respond to emergencies and for improving biological laboratory capacity. Under the direction of the Health Officer, the detailed plan is being developed for submission to the State. It will be submitted directly by the Health Officer before September 16, 2002.

The funding is expected to continue through at least 2006-07 at approximately one million dollars ($1,000,000) per year. The funding will support improvements to the Public Health infrastructure and enhance the County's ability to respond to biological or chemical terrorism and other disasters. The money will be used to pay for additional Public Health Staff, including: one bioterrorism planner, portions of two physicians, one community health educator, one Hazardous Materials Specialist, one epidemiologist, one microbiologist, one Public Health Nurse, a portion of an Information Technology analyst and two office support staff.

State and Federal funding for Public Health infrastructure require that the funding may only be used to enhance capacity and may not be used to supplant existing state or local funding.

Vision Alignment

This agreement with California Department of Health Services keeps the commitment of ensuring basic health and safety for all and goal number 7: maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors. The agreement with the State Department of Health Services contributes to this commitment and goal by providing funds to develop a bioterrorism preparedness plan for San Mateo County.

Fiscal Impact

The County has been awarded $1,009,534 for activities through August 30, 2003. $932,585.94 will be included in the final budget changes to be approved by your Board in September 2002. About $1,000,000 will be included in the 2003-04 budget. It is expected that funding will continue at this level through 2006-07.