The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64885

Carol G. LaSalle, RN, MPA¹, David Ackman, MD, MPH², Abby J. Greenberg, MD³, Daniel Kuhles, MD, MPH³, Mary M. Schechter, APRN, BC⁴, and Susan G. King, MS, RS⁵. (1) Division of Community & Maternal Child Health Services, Nassau County Department of Health, 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501, 516-571-2254, clasalle@health.co.nassau.ny.us, (2) Commissioner, Nassau County Department of Health, 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501, (3) Division of Disease Control, Nassau County Department of Health, 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501, (4) Division of Community and MCH Services, Nassau County Department of Health, 240 Old Country Rd., Rm 608, Mineola, NY 11501-4250, (5) Division of Environmental Health, Nassau County Department of Health, 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501

Nassau County Health Department provides comprehensive public health services to 1.3 million residents. Bordering on New York City, Nassau County is at heightened risk for events that may occur in a major metropolis. The emergence of West Nile Virus, the World Trade Center disaster and anthrax attacks led to the realization that we needed to develop a more organized system to effectively respond to public health threats. The department’s EMS Director recommended adapting the Incident Command System (ICS) to the public health environment.

The endeavor became a department wide effort involving physicians, epidemiologists, public health nurses, environmental health sanitarians, fiscal managers and program analysts. The key to keeping staff involved was active support from the Commissioner and designation of a coordinator to drive the process. As the interdependence of the ICS Sections became apparent, the synergy and commitment of the group intensified.

Our public health ICS (PHICS) includes detailed organization charts and job action sheets. The Operations Section includes a branch that manages a point of distribution (POD) structure to distribute medications in response to a bioterrorism event; the CDC Clinic Staffing Guidelines for smallpox vaccination that were subsequently issued are consistent with the POD which was developed.

This novel approach to public health exposed inherent cultural divides between health departments and other emergency response agencies and initiated a process to begin to bridge the gulf. Both Columbia University and NYS Health Department are interested in working with us to make ICS a model for other local health units.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants in this session will be able to:
• Identify the elements of PHICS as they relate to the needs of their municality's emergency response plan.
• Develope a PHICS that is integrated into the ICS of other emergency response agencies in the community.
• Apply PHICS as an agent for collaboration in planning and implementing coordinated community wide emergency response system.

Keywords: Bioterrorism, Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.