Fairbanks, Alaska -- Local Meetings

[Laidback Al]

Planning for a flu pandemic


The Associated Press
<!--start /published/index.comp -->Published: January 2, 2007
Last Modified: January 2, 2007 at 01:00 PM <!-- end /published/index.comp -->
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<!-- Component: ADN : component/redesign/modules/primcol/story/inset.comp -->FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - A public education program will be kicked off later this month to help residents be ready in the event of an influenza pandemic.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough is planning a series of neighborhood meetings. The first will be held Jan. 16, and others will follow through February.
Last year, the borough finalized a local pandemic preparedness manual. The flu plan is an appendix to the borough's larger emergency management plan, said Dave Tyler, who directs emergency management at the borough.
"We now have a plan on how we're going to deal with this if it comes," Tyler said of the possibility of a global flu pandemic. "But the most important part is, before the pandemic comes, getting the community prepared There's a high degree of individual responsibility required in disaster preparedness."
Local government officials, health specialists and representatives from schools and the business community worked together on the plan. It identifies inoculation procedures and preventive measures that the borough can take to prepare for - and, if needed, respond to - a situation where a large portion of the population suddenly falls ill.
"We have a good plan and we're taking steps in the right direction to be prepared," said Clint Brooks, who directs emergency preparedness, safety and security for Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.
The meetings will help residents learn about what to do and what not to do to prepare for an emergency, Tyler said.
Tyler also will provide an update on recent public flu concerns and explain the differences between pandemic flu - a global outbreak of influenza among humans - and avian flu. Fears that avian flu could mutate into a form easily transferable to humans has prompted worldwide preparations for a pandemic.
Tyler said since Fairbanks is a great distance from other regional hubs, residents should prepare as if state or federal agencies would have a difficult time responding to a local emergency.
The education campaign is being paid for by a state grant from the Alaska Legislature and the borough, which also has earmarked funds to buy surgical masks and gloves for medical personnel in case of an emergency, Tyler said.
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Information from: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, http://www.newsminer.com


http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/ap_alaska/story/8534418p-8428314c.html


hat tip to AnnieB

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Fairbanks, Alaska -- Local Meetings

Public meetings in Alaska started last summer. The state has a nice brochure, which basically says very little other than good health practices & the need to be prepared for all emergencies - good points.

Tyler said since Fairbanks is a great distance from other regional hubs, residents should prepare as if state or federal agencies would have a difficult time responding to a local emergency.

Fairbanks may be some distance from other regional hubs, but it is far more connected than the majority of Alaskan communities. Supplies arrive by major highway and railroad. For the truly rural folks, a normal shopping trip (especially in winter) includes supplies for 2-3+ months.

Many of us are concerned that the foodbarges from Seattle may decline or not have sufficient port labor to unload them. But only some city folks shop frequently - rural folks always stock up well.

Most rural Alaskans know they must be prepared to handle emergencies themselves....whether it be a snowstorm, earthquake, windstorm, pandemic, etc. What would be considered an emergency elsewhere happens with some regularity here.

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