COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
Health Department
DATE:
BOARD MEETING DATE:			December 9, 2008
SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:			None
VOTE REQUIRED:			Majority
TO:	Honorable Board of Supervisors
FROM:	Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department
	Brian J. Zamora, Director, Public Health & Environmental Protection Division
SUBJECT:	Agreement with the California Department of Public Health for Public Health Emergency Preparedness
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute Agreement EPO 08-41 with the California Department of Public Health to provide public health emergency preparedness for the period of July 1, 2008 through August 9, 2009 in the amount of $1,355,494.
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 continue to plan for public health emergency preparedness and other emerging public health threats to San Mateo County.
Performance Measure(s):
Measure		FY 2007-08 Actual		FY 2008-09 Projected
Percentage of Health Department managers who have taken Federal Emergency Management Agency emergency management Incident Command Structure courses.		80%		100%
BACKGROUND:
The attacks of September 11, 2001, brought to light the need to address certain deficiencies in local public health infrastructure. These deficiencies reduce the ability of health agencies to properly respond to public health needs in the event of disasters and health emergencies. In addition, the federal government has recognized 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, federal funds have been made available through the states to strengthen the nation’s public health infrastructure. San Mateo County Health Department (SMHD), in conjunction with the County Office of Emergency Services (OES), has been actively applying for these federal funds to enhance the County’s public health disaster response capabilities.
DISCUSSION:
This funding enables the SMHD staff to work on important areas of general health emergency planning; pandemic influenza planning, drills, and exercises; epidemiological and disease surveillance enhancements; public health lab improvements; technological improvements; development of a comprehensive risk communication plan; and increased training for public health and clinical staff. The Health Department will continue consulting and coordinating with OES regarding the activities associated with this grant. OES staff members also participate on the Health Department’s Disaster Response and Coordinating Committee. This Agreement has been delayed because State approval did not occur until late October.
The work required by the terms of the Agreement has been undertaken by the Health Department on written assurance and direction of California Department of Public Health.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreement and Resolution as to form and content.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the Agreement is July 1, 2008 through August 9, 2009. The maximum amount of funding for the Agreement is $1,355,494. The programs associated with this Agreement cost $1,443,822 which is included in the Public Health FY 2008-09 Adopted Budget. The Net County Cost is $88,328. As required in the terms of the Agreement, all funds received will be placed in the Local Public Health Preparedness Trust Fund that was established for this purpose.