PHEP Update - October 25, 2017

PHEP Section Update

October 25, 2017  

In this update:



BP1-17 EPI Work Plan

Linked below is the BP1-17 Epi work plan and supplemental guidance. There are no significant changes from BP5. The goal of the Epi work plan is to fulfill Capability 13 and satisfy the related performance measures. The role of the LHD EPC in the Epi work plan is to make sure communicable disease and epidemiology staff have received this information and that the required reports and submissions are completed on time. These activities are related to the daily work of communicable disease staff. The deadline for completion of these activities is August 1, 2018. The enhanced analysis component of the Epi work plan will be released in December. For questions, contact a regional epidemiologist or Jim Koval at KovalJ@michigan.gov

 


Volunteer Management Guidance

As a result of the 2015 PHEP Workgroup Capabilities Needs Assessment Survey, a Volunteer Management workgroup was formed to address needs of the EPCs. Members of the workgroup have included MRC and volunteer coordinators, EPCs, and DEPR staff. The workgroup recently finalized a Volunteer Management Guidance document intended to support the use of volunteers in local, tribal, state, and federal emergency preparedness efforts. The guidance document is linked below. For questions, contact workgroup chair, Jennifer Kramer at jkramer@livgov.com.

 


LHD Staff Change

Ray Porter will be leaving the EPC position at the Livingston County Health Department on October 26, 2017. Jennifer Kramer (jkramer@livgov.com) will be filling in until a replacement is hired.


Exercise Scenario for Public Health Risk Communicators

The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security has released a self-guided exercise scenario for public health communicators and risk communication researchers. The scenario challenges participants with the complex messaging dilemmas that could arise when medical countermeasures are developed and distributed during a pandemic.

 

The scenario features an outbreak of a novel “SPARS coronavirus” first identified in a major US city in 2025. Scenario participants are challenged with a range of communication issues that stem from the storyline. Action items cover risk communications, rumor control, interagency message coordination and consistency, issue management, proactive and reactive media relations, cultural competency, and ethical concerns.