Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106088

Johnny Clark, Office of the Secretary Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response Program, Washington State Department of Health, PO Box 47816, Olympia, WA 98504-7816 and Christopher Williams, Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, Washington State Department of Health, PO Box 47890, Tumwater, WA 98501, 360-236-4604, chris.williams@doh.wa.gov.

Washington State is home to twenty-nine federally recognized tribal organizations. During 2004, these tribes and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) have made significant progress in initiating a collaborative effort to prepare for and respond to disasters and other public health emergencies. DOH has reached out to tribal representatives and organizations to seek input in determining an acceptable methodology for funding distribution and for undertaking program activities. Tribes have provided valuable feedback and assisted DOH in the implementation of these activities. Because of this joint effort, Washington tribes, and the state as a whole, are moving ahead in implementing their preparedness and response activities statewide. In a number of regions, local health representatives have worked with their tribal public health emergency preparedness and response contacts and have formed a partnership. This has facilitated the emergency response planning process resulting in some tribes actively participating in drills and exercises. In other regions this process is still being developed. DOH officials have addressed tribal meetings and conferences to enlist participation in regional and state planning efforts. Through the use of needs assessments, joint planning, and exercise after-action reports, DOH expects that critical needs within the tribes will be identified in the areas of emergency preparedness infrastructure, training, and equipment. DOH will continue to assist tribal involvement and seek new and innovative ways of making progress in the accomplishment of the goals identified by the tribes.

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