COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

February 22, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 27, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department

Scott Morrow, M.D., M.P.H., Health Officer

Brian J. Zamora, Director Public Health & Environmental Protection Division

Barbara Pletz, Administrator, Emergency Medical Services

SUBJECT:

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Comprehensive Agreement

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute a Grant Agreement with the California Department of Health Services (DHS) for health emergency preparedness in the total amount of $1,640,100 which includes $1,220,449 for the term of August 31, 2006 through August 31, 2007 for activities governed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and $419,651 for the term of September 1, 2006 through August 31, 2007 for activities governed under the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

This agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by providing funds to develop a plan for health emergency preparedness and other emerging public health threats for San Mateo County.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2004-05
Actual

FY 2005-06
Projected

Percent of Focus Areas meeting grant requirements

95%

100%

BACKGROUND:

At the Federal, state and local levels, a number of activities supporting our disaster and health emergency preparedness have occurred since the attacks of 2001. Our vulnerabilities were made clear as a result of these attacks. Since that time, the Health Department, in conjunction with the County Office of Emergency Services (OES), has been aggressively addressing these vulnerabilities. The Federal government recognizes that the nation’s public health infrastructure has seriously deteriorated since the 1970s and that the decay of this infrastructure has led to a national security risk. In response, funds have been made available for the enhancement of the nation’s public health infrastructure in order to enable it to respond to the threats of the 21^st century.

DISCUSSION:

In mid-November, DHS presented the Health Department with the grant Agreement for health emergency preparedness and related activities for the term August 31, 2006 through August 31, 2007 for activities covered under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a term of September 1, 2006 through August 31, 2007 for activities funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This year’s grant consolidates funding for the Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI), Pandemic Flu and bioterrorism preparedness. Funding from this grant will allow work to continue in six key areas: general health emergency planning, epidemiological and disease surveillance enhancements, public health lab improvements, technological improvements, development of a comprehensive risk communication plan, and expanded training for public health and clinical staff with an increased emphasis on exercises and drills. CRI activities will focus on Anthrax Response preparedness. Funds from HRSA will be used for support of medical volunteer registration and recruitment through Medical Reserve Corps, Alternate Care Site planning and preparedness, surge capacity planning, hospital and healthcare resource tracking, and training and conducting exercises with hospitals for disaster response.

The Health Department will continue consulting with OES regarding the activities associated with this grant, and OES staff members will continue to participate on the Health Department’s Disaster Response Coordinating Committee.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and grant Agreement as to form.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The total grant award is $1,640,100, of which $1,017,041 has been included in Public Health’s FY 2006-07 Adopted Budget and $349,709 has been included in the Emergency Medical Services FY 2006-07 Adopted Budget. The remainder of $273,350 will be included in the FY 2007-08 Recommended Budget. There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agreement.