State: Snapshot

Title: Overview: Public Health Preparedness

Date: 09/09/2002

The Alabama Response to Terrorism web page- http://www.adph.org/TERRORISM/default.asp?TemplateNbr=0&DeptID=111&TemplateId=864

• November 1, 2001-Executive Order 63 establishes the Office of Homeland Security for Alabama and the Alabama Defense Security Council. The Council will have as its members: the Governor, the Director of Homeland Security for Alabama, the Adjutant General, the Finance Director, the Attorney General, the State Health Officer, the Director of Transportation, the State Director of Emergency Management, the Director of Public Safety.
• June 6, 2002-Alabama received $16,478,710 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.

The Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Bioterrorism & Epidemic Preparedness & Response web page- http://www.hs.state.az.us/phs/edc/edrp/index.htm.

• October 18, 2001-The Arizona Department of Health establishes the Bioterrorism Hotline. The creation of a statewide bioterrorism hotline was established to address concerns from members of the public.
• May 23, 2002-Governor Jane Dee Hull (R), signs into law House Bill 2044 containing the following provisions:

1. Quarantine and Sanitary Measures to Prevent Contagion
2. Enhanced Surveillance Advisories and Public Health Emergencies
3. Increased Reporting during Enhanced Surveillance Advisory
4. Patient Tracking during Enhanced Surveillance Advisory
5. Laboratory Testing during Enhanced Surveillance Advisory
6. Public Health Authority during State of Emergency or State of War
7. Mandated treatment or vaccination
8. Isolation and Quarantine during State of Emergency or State of War
9. Due Process for Isolation and Quarantine during State of Emergency or State of War

• June 6, 2002-Arizona received $16,869,697 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.

The California Department of Health Services, Bioterrorism Surveillance & Epidemiology Team web page- http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/dcdc/bt/index.htm.

• October 10, 2001-Governor Gray Davis issues and Executive Order D.47-01, charging the State Strategic Committee on Terrorism to evaluate the potential threat of terrorist attack, review California's current state of readiness to prevent and respond to a potential attack, and establish and prioritize recommendations for prevention and response. He also ordered the committee to consider the following areas:

1. The public and private infrastructure that support the people and the economy of California;
2. The facilities and systems for manufacturing, processing, transporting, disposing of and storing potentially dangerous substances;
3. The farms, ranches, feeding, processing, storage, delivery, and other systems that are part of the agricultural industry;
4. The railways, bridges, roadways, terminals, ports, and other transportation arteries;
5. The hospitals, emergency medical systems, and other health facilities and systems that are critical to our ability to rescue and administer to those who may be affected by terrorist acts;
6. The computers, computer networks, and other computing systems that provide essential data processing, systems control, and information channels;
7. The procedures of agencies and departments responsible for issuing licenses and/or regulating materials or processes that pose a potential terrorist threat;
8. The public employees, facilities, and systems that provide services necessary for the protection of our state.

• December 4, 2001-Governor Gray Davis (D) announced plans to provide a $5 million emergency allocation to county health departments statewide. The funds were designated for use in the front line fight of detecting, preventing and responding to biological and chemical threats or incidents in California
• December 12, 2001-Governor Gray Davis (D) orders the Health and Human Services Agency to develop a State plan for long-term crisis counseling for victims and their families, and to work with the Office of Emergency Services (OES) to enhance the availability of mental health, alcohol and drug, and social services. He also directs the agency to work with the Office of Emergency Services to develop a registry of medical, public health and scientific experts willing to volunteer technical expertise on infectious diseases, biological toxins, poisons and radiological hazards to the State and local health jurisdictions.
• February 22, 2002-State Strategic Committee on Terrorism Initial issues recommendations in response to Executive Order D-47-01. Public health related recommendations included:

1. Direct that DHS, in cooperation with OES, assess the availability of adequate supplies of antidotes and drugs for response to potential chemical and biological agents and develop a plan to distribute them in an emergency.
2. Direct DHS, in collaboration with OES, the Governor's Office, and local health jurisdictions, to develop a communication plan for public education messages on bioterrorism-related health issues.
3. Direct that a bioterrorism primer for physicians, nurses, and other health care providers be developed via a collaborative effort between DHS, EMSA, the University of California, local health departments, and in cooperation with county medical societies.
4. Direct CDFA and DHS and other responsible state agencies to develop an outreach plan to educate food and agriculture constituents (producers, processors, transportation and distribution systems, and wholesale/retail entities) regarding the use of existing reporting systems.
5. Develop a Long-Term Crisis Counseling Plan.
6. Direct OES/Disaster Assistance Division to assist the Department of Mental Health in the development and implementation of a long-term crisis-counseling plan for the State. This plan would be immediately implemented upon an act of terrorism to assist communities with recovery.
7. Direct the Department of Mental Health to coordinate with OES in the development and implementation of a long-term crisis-counseling plan for the State.

• June 6, 2002-California received $70,779,150 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.

The Connecticut Department of public Health Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response web page- http://www.dph.state.ct.us/Agency_News/bioterror.htm.

• June 3, 2002-House Bill 5424 enacted. The provisions in this act require that the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management s report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2003, concerning planning and activities for children and youth as part of homeland preparedness and emergency response planning to terrorism. The report must include provisions which address:

• June 6, 2002-Connecticut received $14,151,041 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.

The Florida Office of Public Health Preparedness web page- http://www.doh.state.fl.us/PHP/index.htm.

• October 26, 2001-In an effort to make Florida's medical doctors better equipped to diagnose and treat effects from nuclear, biological, and/or chemical terrorism, the Florida Board of Medicine passed an emergency rule. The rule permitted licensed physicians to substitute one hour of continuing medical education in nuclear, biological or chemical terrorism for one hour of continuing medical education in HIV/AIDS, domestic violence or end-of-life care for the biennium ending January 31, 2002.
• October 31, 2001-Governor Jeb Bush (R) announced that the Florida Department of Health had been awarded $500,000 from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to be used to assist in the surveillance, detection and confirmation of possible incidents of bioterrorism. The additional funding supplemented the $3 million over three years already awarded from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) grant for Public Health Preparedness and Response for Bioterrorism.
• February 20, 2002-The Florida Department of Health demonstrates the Merling Disease Reporting System to other states throughout the country. The web-based system identifies and tracks disease outbreaks and provides an early warning for health care workers. Benefits of Merlin include:

1. Real-time reporting;
2. Web based application;
3. Statewide data base; and,
4. Allows DOH's disease detectives to monitor the data as it is being investigated.

• February 20, 2002-Florida Department of Health (DOH) Secretary John O. Agwunobi, M.D., M.B.A. announced the creation of the Office of Public Health Preparedness in the Department of Health. The office was established to coordinate efforts within the Department of Health and among other state agencies to ensure enhanced preparedness and response for bioterrorism and other emergency events.
• May 23, 2002-Senate Bill 1262 was chaptered and contained a public health advisory as well as provisions that granted the State Health Officer the authority to:

1. Direct Pharmaceutical Agent Distribution
2. Reactivate Health Professional Licensure in and Emergency
3. Order Compulsory Vaccination, Examination and Treatment

• June 6, 2002-Florida received $41,869,415 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.

• June 6, 2002-Hawaii received $8,416,564 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.
• June 18, 2002-House Bill 2521 was enacted and authorizes the Public Health Authority to enter into public-sector private-sector collaborative agreements for provision of epidemic care.

The Illinois Department of Public Health, Bioterrorism Preparedness web page- http://www.idph.state.il.us/Bioterrorism/bioterrorismhome.htm.

• October 23, 2002-The beginning of Homeland Security Regional Training Seminars announced by Governor George H. Ryan (R). State agencies scheduled to participate included Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Office of the State Fire Marshal, Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois National Guard, and the Secretary of State Bomb Squad. The seminars were scheduled to begin October 29 and concluded December 7.
• February 1, 2002-The governor announces a series of 17 regional Homeland Security Workshops that began February 4, 2002 and culminated in a Statewide Homeland Security Summit in May 2002. The workshops brought together elected officials and key-decision makers including representatives of local, state and federal agencies; Law Enforcement, Fire Service, Emergency Management, Public Health, Education, Transportation and other Public Services as well as members of the private sector.
• May 28, 2002-The governor announces that the Illinois Department of Public Health will team up with the Illinois Public Health Association to sponsor Preparing the Heartland, the Illinois Bioterrorism Summit 2002. The Summit--to be held May 28-30, provides a comprehensive overview of the federal, state and local bioterrorism preparedness activities and brought together approximately 800 public health practitioners and first responders.
• June 6, 2002-Illinois received $26,989,256 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.
• June 24, 2002-Senate Bill 1717 was enacted to amend existing law to require the Director of Public Health to appoint a person with expertise in bioterrorism issues to the Immunization Advisory Committee.

IOWA

The Iowa Department of Public Health, Information About Biological, Chemical and Radiological Terrorism

web page- http://idph.state.ia.us/Terrorism/default.htm.

• September 28, 2001-The Iowa Department of Public Health announces that they will hold two media events, one for health practitioners, the other for the public. The first, a one-hour presentation on biological, chemical and nuclear preparedness for practitioners, was broadcast on the state's ICN network. The second, on similar subjects was presented for the general public.
• October 2001-Iowa Department of Public Health releases special Bio-terrorism Newsletter.
• June 6, 2002-Iowa received $12,898,461 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.
• July 1, 2002-First Iowa Public Health Congress held with delegates from every county in attendance. The delegates voted on the plan for distribution and use of the funds received from the federal government in planning for bioterrorism preparedness.

The Kentucky Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, Bioterrorism web page- http://publichealth.state.ky.us/BIOTERRORISM.htm.

• November 13, 2001-The Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KyEM) concluded a series of 16 meetings across the state designed to inform local government officials, educators and emergency service providers of the status of the terrorism threat and response in Kentucky. Topics discussed in the meetings included preparedness, incident procedures and anthrax precautions.
• June 6, 2002-Kentucky received $15,208,893 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.
• July 2002-Creation of the Public Health Preparedness Branch within the Kentucky Department of Public Health.
• August 2, 2002-The first official meeting of the Hospital Bioterrorism Preparedness subcommittee. The HRS grant guidance requires committee representatives to include : Kentucky Hospital Association, Veterans Administration, Military Hospitals, Kentucky Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Service, Office of Rural Health, Primary Care Association, and the three Metropolitan Medical Response Systems in the state.
• October 2002-Public Health Practice Fall Conferences scheduled to cover issues relating to an overall theme of "Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness".

The Maine Department of Human Services Bioterrorism Resource web page- http://www.state.me.us/dhs/boh/ddc/bioterrorism.htm.

• April 11, 2002-House Bill 1656 enacted to establish procedures for disposition of human remains and for declaration of a public health emergency. The measure also establishes emergency health powers allowing the department to have immediate access to any health information from a medical provider related to a notifiable disease or a communicable disease not subject to departmental reporting requirements and that the department has determined a health risk, take any person into temporary custody and order specific emergency care, vaccination, treatment or evaluation of that person.
• June 6, 2002-Maine received $8,527,435 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Emergency Preparedness Response web page- http://www.state.ma.us/dph/topics/bioterrorism/bt.htm.

• September 2001-Advertised and offered various locations for satellite courses for the public health and medical communities. Topics included: Medical Response to Biological Warfare and Terrorism sponsored by USAMRIID; Medical Response to Chemical Terrorism; Operation TOPOFF; Weapons of Mass Destruction; Weapons of Mass Destruction Incident Recovery - Creating Order Out of Chaos.
• September 2001-Enhanced active surveillance activities at all Massachusetts laboratories initiated to assist in the early detection of bioterrorism and other disease causing organisms.
• September 2001-Infectious Disease Tabletop exercise with the Department of Public Health senior staff held.
• September 2001-Health Alert describing Sept. 11 surveillance activities faxed via the Broadcast Communicator to all local health departments, Eds, ICPs, and microbiology labs.
• January 16, 2002-Governor Jane Swift (R) announced the creation of a Bioterrorism Coordinating Council, a six-member panel of experts charged with developing a comprehensive strategy to protect the Commonwealth in the event of a bioterrorism attack.
• June 6, 2002-Massachusetts received $21,844,479 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.
• July 29, 2002-House Bill 5300 Line Item Vetoed by the governor contains provisions that establish a Public Health Emergency Planning Council and a Public Health Emergency Planning Advisory Committee. It also outlines the elements required for the public health emergency plan.

The Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Emergency Preparedness web page- http://www.health.state.mn.us/oep/index.htm.

• May 22, 2002-House Bill 3031, the "Minnesota Emergency Health Powers Act", was enacted containing provisions relating to the disposition of human remains, isolation and quarantine and requiring a study of emergency health powers issues.
• June 6, 2002-Minnesota received $18,107,921 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.
• July 18, 2002-Working conference on Public Health Emergency Powers.
• August 22, 2002-Public Health Emergency tabletop exercise in Yellow Medicine County. The exercise training scenario was for a response to a pneumonic plague bioterroist event.

The Missouri Department of Health and Human Services, Emergency/Terrorism Response web page- http://www.health.state.mo.us/BT_Response/BT_Response.html.

• June 6, 2002-Missouri received $19,441,007 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.
• July 2, 2002-Senate Bill 714 enacted with provisions containing guidelines for temporary health professional licensure during a state of emergency.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Bioterrorism web page- http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/aftermath/bioterrorism.htm.

• October 9, 2001-Governor Mike Johanns (R) announced that Nebraska will receive a grant that will help the state's public health professionals communicate with other medical and health care professionals if an act of bioterrorism is committed here. The Nebraska Health and Human Services System was awarded $120,000 and annually for the next five years from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish a Health Alert Network in the state.
• November 8 and 9, 2001-Representatives from the Nebraska Health and Human Services (HHS) System provide information about Nebraska's emergency response efforts related to bioterrorism.
• June 6, 2002-Nebraska receives $9,722,687 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Bioterrorism and Public Health Emergencies web page- http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/DHHS/PHBIOTERRORISM/default.htm.

• May 17, 2002-House Bill 1478 cited as the "Public Health Emergency Preparation and Response Act" was enacted with provisions relating to:

1. Investigation and Examination Authority and Requirements
2. Isolation and Quarantine Procedures
3. Authority to Access and Disclosure to Patient Records
4. Authority to Dispose of Human Remains
5. Authority to Control Pharmaceutical Agents
6. Reporting Requirements
7. Authority to Control Facilities

• June 6, 2002-New Hampshire receives $8,479,944 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.

• March 5, 2002-House Bill 195 was enacted to amend procedures for reporting of contagious diseases and detention of infected persons.
• June 6, 2002-New Mexico receives $10,004,395 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.

The North Carolina Department fo Health and Human Services, Bioterrorism Preparedness and Anthrx web page- http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/anthrax.html.

• November 2001-$3 million from the state's "Rainy Day Fund" was made available to the public health officials to launch a full-scale revitalization of its disease prevention and detection infrastructure.
• November 20, 2001-Work group established to study model state emergency health powers act.
• November 28, 2001-House Bill 1472 was enacted to create a Biological Agents Registry. Effective January 10, 2002, the law required registration of any biological agents listed in Federal Register 42 CFR Part 72, Appendix A by February 25, 2002.
• February 22, 2002-Bioterrorism (BT) and Disease Surveillance Initiative preliminary draft released.
• June 6, 2002-North Carolina receives $23,593,610 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.

Ohio Department of Health, Bioterrorism web page address is http://www.odh.state.oh.us/Alerts/bio_t/biot1.htm.

• September 26, 2001-Governor Bob Taft (R) established the Interagency Task Force on Ohio Security to develop a coordinated, comprehensive state strategy to address security issues. Lt. Governor Maureen O'Connor, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, will lead the task force to strengthen state preparedness at all levels of government. Lt. Governor O'Connor was designated to serve as Ohio's point-of-contact to Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge and the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Domestic Preparedness. In addition to Lt. Governor O'Connor, Governor Taft named the following committee members: Attorney General Betty Montgomery; Major General John Smith, Adjutant General; Fred Dailey, Director, Ohio Department of Agriculture; Domingo Herraiz, Director, Office of Criminal Justice Services; Scott Johnson, Director, Ohio Department of Administrative Services; Christopher Jones, Director, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; Dr. Nick Baird, Director, Ohio Department of Health; Gordon Proctor, Director, Ohio Department of Transportation; Alan Schriber, Chairman, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio; Colonel Ken Morckel, Superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol; and Dale Shipley, Director, Ohio Emergency Management Agency.
• February 19, 2002-The Ohio Public Safety's Division of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the State Board of Emergency Medical Services announced they were making available $300, 000 in EMS grants to local EMS providers for domestic preparedness training.
• February 25, 2002- National Governors Association's Center for Best Practices awards the State of Ohio additional funds to improve its homeland security and bioterrorism preparedness plans.
• June 7, 2002-Ohio awarded more than $34 million in federal funds to help the state, local health departments and hospitals prepare for bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
• June 25, 2002-Ohio Department of Health proposes amendments to the Ohio Administrative Code pertaining to reporting and isolation requirements for communicable diseases. The rules are being proposed to reflect the current Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

The Oregon Public Health Services, Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response web page address is http://www.ohd.hr.state.or.us/acd/bioterr/home.htm.

• December 21, 2001-Executive Order No. 01-26 directs the Department of State police, the Health Services-Department of Human Services, the Military Department and other State agencies to coordinate with and assist the Office of Emergency Management in its duties and functions to assure the preparedness of the state.
• June 6, 2002-Oregon receives $14,192,426 in federal funds as part of bioterrorism preparedness grants.

The Rhode Island Department of Health, bioterrorism web page- http://www.healthri.org/topics/bioterrorism.htm.

• June 6, 2002-Rhode Island receives $7,989,965 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.
• June 25, 2002-House Bill 6981 enacted empower the Director to develop and adopt by rule and regulation a plan to protect the public health during a vaccine shortage.

The South Dakota Bioterrorism Preparedness web page- http://www.state.sd.us/doh/Bioterrorism/bio.htm.

• November 13, 2001-The South Dakota Department of Health begins offering an awareness course for ambulance, fire and law enforcement personnel and the general public. Training sessions introduced the threat of nuclear, biological and chemical terrorism in the United States.
• February 22, 2002-House Bill 1304 was enacted with provisions outlining the process for a declaration of a public health emergency. Other provisions in the act provide for the line of authority and responsibilities during an emergency and handling of human remains.
• February 27, 2002-House Bill 1303 was enacted to revise the Governor's authority in handling an event of a disaster, war or act of terrorism by adding the ability to control pharmaceutical and medical supplies and the ability to control out-of-state health care providers. Other provisions address the handling of human remains.
• June 6, 2002-South Dakota receives $7,222,917 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.

The Texas Department of Health, Bioterrorism web page- http://www.tdh.texas.gov/stateepi/anthrax.htm.

• October 1, 2001-Governor Rick Perry (R) announced that he was forming, by Executive Order RP 8, a Governor's Task Force on Homeland Security to advise him on matters relating to homeland security.
• January 14, 2002- The Governor announces that 95 Texas cities and counties were to receive a total of $11.7 million as part of the State Domestic Preparedness Equipment Program of the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Domestic Preparedness. The DOJ program is designed to improve the response capability of emergency first responders in the event of terrorist use of a weapon of mass destruction.
• April 3, 2002-Through Executive Order RP 12, the Governor creates the Emergency Management Council. The State Emergency Response Commission is established as a standing element of the Council in order to carry out certain state emergency planning, community right-to-know, and response functions relating to hazardous materials.
• June 6, 2002-Texas receives $53,031,395 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.
• August 9, 2002-State activates the Health Alert Network, a secure Internet connection that links the state's health resources and provides information and warnings about bioterrorism and other health issues. This system helps the state's health-care authorities react quickly and effectively to any situation whether it be the intentional release of a biological agent or the spread of West Nile virus.

Vermont Department of Health web page for emergency preparedness information resources- http://www.healthyvermonters.info/prepared.shtml.

• June 6, 2002-Vermont receives $6,841,277 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.
• June 12, 2002-Senate Bill 298 enacted to establish new reporting requirements for illnesses associated with bioterrorism.

Washington State Department of Health's, Public Health and Hospital Preparedness and Response for bioterrorism web page- http://www.doh.wa.gov/BioTerr/FedApps/default.htm and http://www.doh.wa.gov/bioterr/default.htm.

The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Bioterrorism Readiness web page- http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/dph_bcd/Bioterrorism/.

• September 20, 2001-Governor Scott McCallum (R) announced that he will name a task force to review Wisconsin's anti-terrorism preparedness in the 21st century.
• October 1, 2001-Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Ed Gleason and Health and Family Services Secretary Phyllis Dubé named as co-chairs of the Governor's Task Force on Terrorism Preparedness.
• October 15, 2002-Govermor's Task Force on Terrorism Preparedness compiles and releases a frequently asked questions guide.
• November 6, 2001-Dane County Emergency Management receives a grant from the state for $18,360 to develop medical protocols to be used in the event of a terrorist strike.
• March 6, 2002-State agency terrorism preparedness exercise. The exercise scenario involved an intentional outbreak of the plague.
• June 6, 2002-Wisconsin receives $19,068,906 in federal funds as part of the bioterrorism preparedness grants.
• July 26, 2002-Assembly Bill1b enacted with provisions pertaining to the following:

1. Declaration of a Public Health Emergency
2. Disposal of Human Remains
3. Reporting of Deaths of Public Health Concern
4. Establishes Requirements for a Public Health System Preparedness Report
5. Powers and Duties of the Department as Public Health Authority
6. Compulsory Vaccination
7. Reports of Pharmacy-Related Events

• August 23, 2002-Wisconsin Emergency Management in cooperation with Department of Health and Family Services finished an independent study course for hospital personnel who work with patients contaminated with radioactive materials.