COULEE REGION PUBLIC HEALTH CONSORTIUM MEETING

June 4, 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 9:07 a.m. and introductions were made. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion by Doug Mormann/Sharon Nelson to approve the meeting minutes of May 7, 2008.  MOTION passed unanimously.

FISCAL AGENT REPORT

Checks have been dispersed for the unallocated funds to member agencies.  Lieske reported on the Statewide Advisory Group.  The allocation to the State is the same as last year; however local public health department should expect a decrease.  The $6.6 million allocation originally expected has been reallocated and locals can expect between $5-6 ½ million.  The Consortium allocation will be 30%.  Consortium can expect $80-100,000.  Agencies can contribute to Consortium to sustain during the transition period.  The spreadsheet will be forwarded within a week of the final breakdown.  The $100,000 cut off for Consortium will not be enforced with the expectation that during 2009 Consortium will work to realign into the DOH Region footprint.  Transition planning needs to occur.  Objectives for 2009 are not available at this time.  It is anticipated the focus will be on Pan Flu and SNS.  If objectives are not met, the State will lose funding.  State will be required to match 5% of the Federal funding in 2009 and may be in-kind.  The August Consortium meeting will dedicate time to planning and decision making.  The significant drop in funding to locals was questioned.  Lieske explained that the group had representatives in the group advocating for local funding.  The need for stronger State support was also advocated.  Al pointed out to member agencies that there is $13,433 left in Grants to Other Agencies that can be used to fund training opportunities for their staff.  Nominations for governing board member for the Consortium should be forwarded to Diane prior to the next meeting.  Dr. Glasser is interested in continuing.  Members will vote in July to fill this position.  Al shared the communication equipment spreadsheet.  Satellite phone installations are being scheduled.  Air time will need to be purchased ($1,000 or less).  Equipment installation will cost approximately $750.

PUblic health emergency plan review

Brenda provided a presentation for the new public health emergency plan version 2.1.  Diane reviewed he plan with each agency prior to the meeting.  The plan contains a lot of tools and is a better tool than the prior plan.  Members are encouraged to customize their plan in the future and forward any updates/additions to the plan to Diane.  The plan will continue to evolve and training plans will be established for the next 1 ½ years.  The group participated in “PHEPARDY” to test their knowledge of the new plan.  Diane will forward the PowerPoint to members to use for training staff.

TRAINING EDUCATION REPORT

Brenda provided a new table of contents for the satellite broadcast binder.  Brenda outlined the process for the competency assessment objective in an e-mail to members yesterday.  Once the competency assessment has been completed with all agency staff members, a plan for improvement will be developed.  Brenda is in the process of compiling information for staff development component of the improvement plan.  The July 9^th Consortium meeting will be devoted to “public health emergency response 101” and members are encouraged to bring additional staff for the education session.  Please advise Diane how many will be attending from each agency no later than July 1 (before the holiday weekend) so we can print enough materials and order lunch with one call.  This education session is in preparation for the September 11^th tabletop exercise.  Information on tactical communication will be sent out by the end of the month.  The three areas being tested in the exercise are tactical communication, security and staff management.  Tables will be set up by jurisdiction and the Health Officer for each jurisdiction and Carol for Ho-Chunk will facilitate their table.  Emergency Management, law enforcement, hospital and elected officials should be invited.  Registration is available on TRAIN and information is posted on www.publichealthprepare.org.  Materials are due to Diane on July 1^st for the SNS Technical Assistance Review, the Mass Clinic Site security plan, floor plan, and ICS structure (including the SNS positions).  Chemical Hazard training is scheduled on June 16^th in Eau Claire.  Brenda circulated information on the Summer Public Institute invitation.  Issues with WEAVR access need to be addressed.  The 2008 ERG book is available and Brenda encouraged members to consider purchasing the new books and to arrange training for staff and how to use.  For La Crosse only: individual TRAIN accounts need to be set up by June 18^th so that all accounts can be merged.  Access to TRAIN through HAN will end. 

EPIDEMIOLOGIST REPORT

Derek provided an update on Pan Flu exercises.  Some contract specialists will allow the anti-viral introduction in conjunction with the Pan Flu exercise – other contract specialists require that these need to be separate events.  Monroe has completed their Pan Flu exercise and anti-viral introduction (combined).  Buffalo County completed their exercise.  Trempealeau County scheduled June 10^th, Jackson County/Ho-Chunk scheduled June 26^th.  La Crosse County does not have a date and will need to conduct their session separately.  Please forward upcoming event information to Diane so the information can be posted on the Consortium website calendar. 

WI HOSPITAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM REPORT (WHEPP)

Bob reported they have been reviewing grant guidance ahead of time – they also have a short turn around time (June 20^th).  They will see a minor cut in funding.  WHEPP will contribute funds to help support trauma system activities.  Many public health and emergency management registrations for WI-TRAC have been received.  Hospitals are continuing to work on the 96 hour “on your own” logistics.  They are looking at several water filter systems.  The Disaster Ethics Panel results should be released in July.  Dane First will be designated as the fatality management first responders for the State.  WHEPP may fund three trailers for Dane First.  Mass Palliative Care Expert Panel continues to meet.  Work continues on the Pediatrics – Patient At-Risk patient information website.  An on-line course for long-term care preparedness 101 is being developed.  Long-term care facilities are not familiar with ICS.  Work continues on the patient tracking system using bar coded bands.  The Chem Pack work group is looking at deployment issues.

ROUNDTABLE

Jen discussed the bridge closure between Winona MN and Fountain City WI.  This bridge closing will create a 70 mile detour creating many new challenges.  Emergency vehicles will be allowed to use the bridge.  A part time temporary position will be filled while Steve is deployed.  The new nurse starts on Wednesday.  Sharon participated in a functional exercise that opened the EOC.  She is currently working on numerous budget issues.  Keith discussed the upcoming Shrine Grant Opening at the end of July.  Travelers should expect traffic problems in the 14/61 corridor.  Tri-State will pre-state ambulances during this time.  Keith discussed the upcoming S & S Cycle 50^th Anniversary scheduled for the end of July.  The City of La Crosse just recently notified the County of the event.  They are anticipating between 15,000 – 100,000 motorcycles with 13 countries participating.  TV personalities and TV crews are expected.  There are many unknown issues and expects this event to be a challenge.  John reported that some of the cranberry growers have experienced weather related damage.  Dick has been trying to catch up on e-mails.  They are working on Meningococcal and Tb cases.  Cindy discussed the functional exercise/training.  Communications problems surfaced.  August 9^th is the next event.  Cindy praised Sharon for their performance in exercise.  The Truck and Tractor Pull is coming up.  Dan discussed a power outage that affected the City of Whitehall.  Emergency generator capacity is inadequate and need to be addressed.  Dan also discussed a sewer pipe issue in the court house.  A reminder was related from Greg Breen regarding the Dispatching the MCI presentation on June 19^th from 9-11 at Franciscan Skemp Mary Crest.  Contact Greg Breen to register.  Carol discussed her participation in the WI Dells (Adams, Sauk, Juneau and Crawford) exercise.  The need to include the local tribe was noted.  The Tribal Council will be looking at isolation and quarantine on tribal land.  It is thought that a cooperative agreement will need to be worked out between Ho-Chunk and the counties.  The Tribal Council will also be looking at mass gatherings.  Carol discussed the clean up of a partially refrigerated truck that she and her staff were involved with.  The clean up necessitated the use of tyvec suits and PAPRs. 

ADJOURNMENT

Next meeting date is July 9, 2008.  This meeting will be a four hour education session.  Motion by Sharon Nelson/Jen Rombalski to adjourn.  MOTION passed unanimously.

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

Diane Panzer, Recorder