Sally Furniss
Well-known member
Oak Park Heights council prepares for worst ? of flu pandemic
Julie Kink, Stillwater Courier
Published Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Imagine illness so widespread that over a couple of years, it takes the lives of more than 100 million people worldwide, and more than 32,000 people in Minnesota alone.
An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity and which spreads easily from person to person. Scientists believe it?s only a matter of time until the next influenza pandemic occurs. According to the Minnesota Pandemic Ethics Project, when it strikes, more than three out of 10 Minnesotans will contract the disease sometime during the two-year period. Locally, governments are preparing for the worst.
Oak Park Heights city staff has been developing a preparedness plan, funded through a $10,000 grant from Washington County. City officials approved the plan on Monday.
If the city has to move into ?pandemic emergency operations mode,? the city?s primary responsibility will be to maintain sewer and water functioning. Beyond that, non-essential city operations may be suspended, giving administrative, public works and police staff time to devote to ensuring the health and safety of citizens.
The plan reminds residents that in the event of a serious pandemic or other similar public health emergency, the city does not have the capacity to provide shelters, meals or other similar assistance. It warns residents to be prepared at home and the work place, always assuming ?you will be on your own.?
The plan also addresses public works and police department staffing levels, anticipating a loss of staff available for duty of up to 50 percent. A pandemic could require setting up cots and emergency food supplies for continuous staffing, bringing in bulk fuel for well and lift station generators, opening up emergency lanes if travel is banned, allowing family members to stay with operations staff at city facilities to avoid added travel and cross contamination, or isolating staff from all other contact to keep utilities in operation without risk of contact with pandemic infections.
The entire plan, developed with consultation from Washington County, the Minnesota Correctional Facility Oak Park Heights, Boutwells Landing, Lakeview Hospital, the Red Cross and the Bayport Fire Department, is available at city hall.
http://www.stillwatercourier.com/articles/index.cfm?id=12401§ion=news
Julie Kink, Stillwater Courier
Published Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Imagine illness so widespread that over a couple of years, it takes the lives of more than 100 million people worldwide, and more than 32,000 people in Minnesota alone.
An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity and which spreads easily from person to person. Scientists believe it?s only a matter of time until the next influenza pandemic occurs. According to the Minnesota Pandemic Ethics Project, when it strikes, more than three out of 10 Minnesotans will contract the disease sometime during the two-year period. Locally, governments are preparing for the worst.
Oak Park Heights city staff has been developing a preparedness plan, funded through a $10,000 grant from Washington County. City officials approved the plan on Monday.
If the city has to move into ?pandemic emergency operations mode,? the city?s primary responsibility will be to maintain sewer and water functioning. Beyond that, non-essential city operations may be suspended, giving administrative, public works and police staff time to devote to ensuring the health and safety of citizens.
The plan reminds residents that in the event of a serious pandemic or other similar public health emergency, the city does not have the capacity to provide shelters, meals or other similar assistance. It warns residents to be prepared at home and the work place, always assuming ?you will be on your own.?
The plan also addresses public works and police department staffing levels, anticipating a loss of staff available for duty of up to 50 percent. A pandemic could require setting up cots and emergency food supplies for continuous staffing, bringing in bulk fuel for well and lift station generators, opening up emergency lanes if travel is banned, allowing family members to stay with operations staff at city facilities to avoid added travel and cross contamination, or isolating staff from all other contact to keep utilities in operation without risk of contact with pandemic infections.
The entire plan, developed with consultation from Washington County, the Minnesota Correctional Facility Oak Park Heights, Boutwells Landing, Lakeview Hospital, the Red Cross and the Bayport Fire Department, is available at city hall.
http://www.stillwatercourier.com/articles/index.cfm?id=12401§ion=news
