|
There are still seats available for the optional half-day MICIMS training being held at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, MI the day before the EPC Annual Meeting. The MICIMS course is scheduled for June 4, 2018 from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT. New MICIMS users or those seeking a refresher can register. Note - first time users must contact their local emergency manger to obtain access permission and role assignment before taking the class. Registration is available on MI-TRAIN - course ID: 1034950. Each attendee will need to bring a laptop that is able to connect to the internet. The deadline to register for the MICIMS training is May 31, 2018.
As noted in Activity 5 of the BP1-17 LHD Work Plan, EPCs have been asked to perform a comprehensive review and self-assessment of pandemic influenza plans using a DEPR developed tool. In response to several questions raised on the EPC call held on May 3, 2018, the following points were prepared to provide additional clarification on the tool and review process.
- This self-assessment results are not intended to be punitive, but rather serve as an opportunity for LHDs and DEPR to conduct a thorough review of plans. In lieu of individual feedback, all assessment findings will be compiled into a cumulative format to offer a statewide perspective of current planning capacity.
- DEPR plans to conduct a pandemic influenza planning workshop in BP1-S that will seek to build on existing plan strengths and offer means to address on any identified gaps. LHDs are encouraged to take a critical review of their pandemic influenza response plans and answer each question as honestly as possible. DEPR will use the data provided during these reviews to help develop the workshop.
- The BP1-17 Pan Flu LHD Assessment tool addresses other elements (risk communication, immunizations, communicable disease, etc.) that are typically addressed within other annexes of the LHD EOP. DEPR acknowledges this issue and recommends that each LHD complete the assessment tool from an all-hazards perspective. If a specific planning element is addressed in a separate plan or component of a jurisdictions EOP, simply reference these documents in the optional comments section of the tool. DEPR is asking LHDs to submit a completed Pan Flu LHD Assessment tool and current Pandemic Influenza Plan, not additional or supporting documentation.
- It was asked if LHD’s should revise their Pan Flu plans to ensure that all applicable or supporting plans (CERC, SNS/MCM, CD, etc.) are referenced within it. While there are many benefits to structuring plans to cross-reference specific planning elements or response functions, the format of such plans, policies, and procedures are at the discretion of the LHD.
Any specific questions related to this assessment should be directed to Jason Smith at smithj20@michigan.gov.
The CDC has discontinued the CERC Pan Flu course that is outlined in the BP1-17 LHD Work Plan “Attachment 1 – NIMS Compliance” training requirements. The CERC Pan Flu course is no longer a required PIO-specific training, however EPCs will still need to keep training records for staff that previously completed the course according to record retention schedules. The CDC justified removing the course due the CERC basic course information being relevant to all hazards. A single page CERC in an Infectious Disease Outbreak flyer was recently added to the CDC CERC website.
The CDC is developing an online MCM dispensing and mass vaccination resource toolbox. The purpose of the new toolbox is to provide health departments with a platform for sharing tools and access to current evidence-based resources for operating point-of-dispensing (POD) sites and conducting mass vaccination campaigns. CDC invites POD managers, state and local MCM planners, and other preparedness staff to voluntarily share MCM dispensing and mass vaccination tools for possible inclusion in the planned toolbox. Submissions may be sent in any format to DSLRMCMToolbox@CDC.gov by 5:00 PM EDT on May 31, 2018. For more information about the toolbox, visit the announcements section of CDC’s Online Technical Resources and Assistance Center (On-TRAC).
A recording of the CDC Division of Strategic National Stockpile’s (DSNS) webinar “Regulatory Considerations for the Use of Strategic National Stockpile Medicines and Supplies” is now available on CDC TRAIN. This webinar was originally conducted on March 20, 2018 and focuses on threat-specific medical countermeasures and their anticipated regulatory mechanisms. All PHEP recipients will have access to this online recording through July 2018. For more information, please contact the DSNS Training Team at DSNSTrain@cdc.gov.
|
