News Releases

Emergency Preparedness Grant Application Submitted for Next Funding Year

Under The Center for Health Affairs’ most recent request, the region would receive $1.5 million in federal emergency preparedness funding during the next funding year, beginning July 1, 2011.  The grant application, which was submitted in April, calls for the same level of funding that the region is currently receiving under the program this year.  The Center will be notified in mid-June regarding the outcome of the grant application. 

According to next year’s program objectives, emphasis will shift from purchasing equipment to adhering to performance measures.  In addition to regional training opportunities, there will be an increased number of table-top exercises, which enable participants to test various aspects of their preparedness plans.  Community integration, which is the involvement of community health centers in preparedness planning, will continue to play a role, as will patient surge and point-of-distribution (POD) planning.

Meanwhile, work is underway to complete the current year of funding and program objectives by June 30, 2011.  In late March, a table-top exercise was held to test pediatric surge capabilities and plans. Another exercise is being planned for July to test decontamination capabilities, as well as one for September, along with public health and the Cities Readiness Initiative, to test mass medication distribution, POD plans, and mass fatality response.