COULEE REGION PUBLIC HEALTH CONSORTIUM MEETING

March 5, 2008

La Crosse County HHS Bldg, 300 4^th St N., La Crosse WI 54601

9:00 A.M.

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m. and introductions were made. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion by Doug Mormann/Sharon Nelson to approve the meeting minutes of February 6, 2008.  MOTION passed unanimously.

DAVE GESKE PRESENTATION

Dave provided background information on vector borne diseases.  Services from La Crosse County Vector Control have been provided by contract in the past.  Dave outlined the effectiveness of the mosquito program as evidenced by the drop in La Crosse Viral Encephalitis cases.  New species are introduced to the area regularly and it is important to address the problem as quickly as possible. Dave asked that members consider utilizing some of the funding for support of this program.  Chris requested a summary of the benefits of the program that includes costs.

FISCAL AGENT REPORT

Members discussed the two options to disperse the uncommitted funding presented by Don Neitzel.  Method 1 uses a funding formula.  Method 2 returns the amount contributed by each member agencies and then divides the remaining amount evenly.  Motion by Chris Hovell/Sharon Nelson to distribute funds utilizing Method 2.  MOTION passed unanimously.  It is anticipated that the funds will be distributed in about a month. 

TRAINING EDUCATION REPORT

Brenda distributed “Brenda’s Desk” containing information regarding training status report workbooks, test and tracking form, the competency objective, performance measures 1-20, the SNS 3 year plan, risk communications, go-kits, upcoming trainings and the SNS tabletop committee meeting schedule.  The updated tracking form and Form R will be forwarded electronically.  The group discussed PAPRs.  The hospitals are going to using PAPRs instead of N-95 masks due to the expense to keep training up to date.  The PPE Expert panel recommendations are expected by December 2008.  Draft templates will be forwarded from this group as they are developed.  Brenda discussed Form R and supporting materials.  The core competency work group is looking at the Columbia University assessment.  Brenda will work with member agencies focusing on one competency per month.  Brenda, Jennifer Kleckner and Derek are attending HSEEP training this week.  Diane is working with four counties and Ho-Chunk on mass clinic assessments and Brenda is working with Buffalo County.  Brenda will be working with each agency to identify people to include in the ICS structure.  All general and command staff are required to have ICS 100, 200, 300, IS 700 and 800 with year.  ICS 400 is required next year.  All other staff need to completed ICS 100 and IS 700.  Brenda reminded the members that Joe Cordova is scheduled to attend the May meeting to review our mass clinic plans.  Brenda distributed risk communications materials.  The La Crosse Fire Department provided materials for each county to distribute.  WEAVR is undergoing improvements.  Brenda requested that each agency print out the contents for their county and forward confidentially to Brenda.  Brenda provided a go-kit inventory sheet.  The go-kits should be inventoried and items needed should be conveyed to Brenda.  After this re-supply, it will be the responsibility of each agency to address.

PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PLAN (PHEP) UPDATE

Diane provided an overview of the new PHEP.  Each section of the plan contains checklists along with supporting material.  Sections will be reviewed a few at a time for customization.  The medicine distribution section needs to be adopted for Joe Cordova’s site visit next month.  Diane will forward pertinent information for members to review.  Once entire PHEP is customized, it will be adopted and a copy will be reviewed with emergency management for this incorporation into their emergency operation plans.

EPIDEMIOLOGIST REPORT

Avian Flu (bird flu in birds) training will be held on April 9^th or April 10^th – one session in La Crosse and one in Rice Lake.  It is strongly encouraged that a person attends from each agency.  Promotion of the event with applicable partners is also encouraged.  Derek provided poverty data to Jackson County.  He is working with Buffalo County on a Lead grant.  Monroe County Pandemic Flu tabletop is scheduled for April 17^th.  Derek is assisting with each agency to set up their Pandemic Flu committee with the exception of La Crosse.  Al is working with La Crosse.  The Communicable Disease Coalition met last week.  The satellite conferencing system was not working properly.  Cindy and Derek presented to a CRBF on Tb.  Derek discussed the changes in reportable diseases.  Diseases no longer reportable include Genital Herpes, Tularemia, Cat Scratch Disease, non-A non-B Hepatitis and Reyes Syndrome.  There is confusion with the changes in Chicken Pox reporting.  The new 4151 will be available soon.  WEDSS was upgraded this week and continues to be rolled out.  Derek shared information available on the Burden of Diabetes for each county.  Lieske shared that behavior risk factor data is available on WISH and is a good tie in to the Diabetes data.

WI HOSPITAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM REPORT

Amoxicillin has been removed from the IPS.  The IPS is intended for health care works and responding community and not meant for family members.  Bob will forward to Diane the hazard vulnerability assessment to forward to members.  This may be discussed during the May meeting.  The fatality management group has entered into an agreement with Dane County Corner to manage mass fatalities.  Cultural issues are being discussed in the ethics panel and guidance is due out soon.  The guidance are just recommendations on how to deal with a variety of issues and discussion on how to market to the public needs to occur.  A Chem pack work group has been organized and met in February.  Round 2 medical PAPRs are being delivered and will be doing round 3 soon.  Another round of PPE for hospitals is occurring.  Hospitals are looking at options to ensure they have a 96 hour water supply.  Surge lines are being addressed.  AB321 passed and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.  The Bill will provide protection for the facilities that utilize people with expired licenses in an emergency as well as protect organizations that donate supplies during an emergency.  Bob advised holding off registering on WiTrac.  Regions need to be set up in the registration system.

SWRTAC REPORT – None

ROUNDTABLE

Doug reported that work continues on the County business continuity plan.  Carol reported the National Tribal Development Association recommends the tribes develop an emergency plan for animals.  Derek recommended that she contact DATCAP for information.  Patrica will be at the Home Show with a Lead display.  Derek advised that pediatric influenza associated deaths need to be reported.  Chris reported that Jackson County is developing a vulnerable population’s registry.  John Ross will be maintaining the information.  Chris is looking for a comparison matrix comparing emergency management and public health roles in an emergency.  Diane will forward information from the new PHEP to Chris.  Ron reported that the Nation has been very progressive in disseminating information on topics such as Diabetes and smoking cessation.  The e-mail for the Nation will be changing.  Carol will forward information as it become available.  Lieske reported that the State is also changing their e-mail and notification will be send when available.  The Public Health Advisory Committee will be meeting in a few weeks.  Jean Durch is our region representative.  Funding will be discussed.  A hiring freeze for the State has been implemented.  Lieske discussed the risk communication kits available on the HAN.  WEHA Conference is scheduled for April 1 and 2 in Stevens Point.  Guidance will be available soon on anti-viral distribution.  Sara discussed the requirement that treatment centers/clinics need to be identified by the end of the year.  The special populations work group will look at incorporating key points into the new PHEP.  The panel on volunteer management should wrap up by the end of the year.  The CDC released a readiness report on February 22^nd.  Wisconsin performance was rated better on this report.  Bob shared a 3M health preparedness go-pack that costs $12.  His concern with the go-pack is the short shelf life.  Jerry Crotsenberg is the new emergency management director for Vernon County. 

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Chris Hovell/Doug Mormann to adjourn.  MOTION passed unanimously.  Next meeting date is April 2, 2008.

The above minutes may be approved, amended, or corrected at the next Committee meeting.

Diane Panzer, Recorder