Snowy Owl
Retired in 2010, In Memoriam
Health Department preparing public for flu pandemic
http://www.dispatch.com
http://www.dispatch.com
Saturday, April 15, 2006
<!--PHOTOS--> <table class="phototableright" align="right" border="0"><!-- begin large ad code --> <tbody><tr><td> <table align="center"></table> </td></tr> </tbody></table>
I applaud the recent Dispatch editorial urging central Ohioans to prepare for a potential flu pandemic. The Columbus Health Department is committed to healthier, safer people, and we are working to help government, businesses and families prepare before such an emergency strikes.
The Health Department has prepared and practiced an Influenza Pandemic Response Plan, which focuses on limiting morbidity and mortality and decreasing social disruption and economic loss. This plan includes a strong communicable-disease reporting system, as well as our Incident Command System, a team of leaders trained and ready to mobilize in a crisis.
Other plan highlights include the Ohio Public Health Communications System to receive federal and state health alerts, an early-warning system, state-of-the-art technology for registration and tracking, and isolation and quarantine powers to prevent the spread of disease.
Additionally, depending upon the threat, our goal is to serve up to 1,000 people an hour with vaccines or protective medication at 20 clinics in Columbus and 10 elsewhere in Franklin County.
Businesses also play a critical role in emergency preparations. The Health Department has met with numerous business leaders in central Ohio to help them prepare their own emergency business plans to limit economic interruptions. To encourage businesses? cooperation and to aid in planning, we also are working with the Columbus Chamber to hold an emergency-preparedness briefing for central Ohio businesses on Wednesday. It is imperative that businesses plan now for operating with up to 40 percent of their work force absent or sick. That?s the reality we may face.
And, while the Health Department approaches emergency planning from a community perspective, we know it is important not to overlook the role that individuals play. We all have the responsibility to do what we can, and we must prepare family emergency plans. The Health Department has made that job a little easier with "Ready in 3," sponsored jointly with the Columbus Metropolitan Medical Response System and our many partners in preparedness.
"Ready in 3" is a family safety guide that provides three easy steps to prepare:
? Make a plan for you, your family and business, and encourage everyone to be familiar with it.
? Prepare a kit with emergency supplies for home, car and work.
? Listen for information about what to do and where to go during an emergency.
These measures are critical, regardless of the kind of incident we might face. Copies are available at the Franklin County Board of Health and the Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Office, or on our Web site at www.publichealth.columbus.gov, under the link for "Emergency Preparedness."
Emergencies such as pandemic flu can and do happen, and we must all do our part and be as prepared as possible. The Columbus Health Department is working hard every day to make sure all segments of our community are informed and ready.
DR. TERESA C. LONG
Health commissioner
Columbus Health Department
<!--PHOTOS--> <table class="phototableright" align="right" border="0"><!-- begin large ad code --> <tbody><tr><td> <table align="center"></table> </td></tr> </tbody></table>
I applaud the recent Dispatch editorial urging central Ohioans to prepare for a potential flu pandemic. The Columbus Health Department is committed to healthier, safer people, and we are working to help government, businesses and families prepare before such an emergency strikes.
The Health Department has prepared and practiced an Influenza Pandemic Response Plan, which focuses on limiting morbidity and mortality and decreasing social disruption and economic loss. This plan includes a strong communicable-disease reporting system, as well as our Incident Command System, a team of leaders trained and ready to mobilize in a crisis.
Other plan highlights include the Ohio Public Health Communications System to receive federal and state health alerts, an early-warning system, state-of-the-art technology for registration and tracking, and isolation and quarantine powers to prevent the spread of disease.
Additionally, depending upon the threat, our goal is to serve up to 1,000 people an hour with vaccines or protective medication at 20 clinics in Columbus and 10 elsewhere in Franklin County.
Businesses also play a critical role in emergency preparations. The Health Department has met with numerous business leaders in central Ohio to help them prepare their own emergency business plans to limit economic interruptions. To encourage businesses? cooperation and to aid in planning, we also are working with the Columbus Chamber to hold an emergency-preparedness briefing for central Ohio businesses on Wednesday. It is imperative that businesses plan now for operating with up to 40 percent of their work force absent or sick. That?s the reality we may face.
And, while the Health Department approaches emergency planning from a community perspective, we know it is important not to overlook the role that individuals play. We all have the responsibility to do what we can, and we must prepare family emergency plans. The Health Department has made that job a little easier with "Ready in 3," sponsored jointly with the Columbus Metropolitan Medical Response System and our many partners in preparedness.
"Ready in 3" is a family safety guide that provides three easy steps to prepare:
? Make a plan for you, your family and business, and encourage everyone to be familiar with it.
? Prepare a kit with emergency supplies for home, car and work.
? Listen for information about what to do and where to go during an emergency.
These measures are critical, regardless of the kind of incident we might face. Copies are available at the Franklin County Board of Health and the Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Office, or on our Web site at www.publichealth.columbus.gov, under the link for "Emergency Preparedness."
Emergencies such as pandemic flu can and do happen, and we must all do our part and be as prepared as possible. The Columbus Health Department is working hard every day to make sure all segments of our community are informed and ready.
DR. TERESA C. LONG
Health commissioner
Columbus Health Department