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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12112001 - D.3 • T To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS D.3 ��� g Contra ,' ' _: FROM: John Sweeten, County Administrator Costa :s . . :� December 11, 2001 County�'�o. - ..��`°� DATE: SUBJECT: COUNTY'S PREPAREDNESS TO ACTS OF TERRORISM AND BIOTERRORISM SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. ACKNOWLEDGE receipt of this report. 2. FIND that County departments have taken significant steps to strengthen the County's ability to respond acts of terrorism or bioterrorism. 3. DIRECT County departments to continue their efforts to enhance and improve interagency communications and training with federal, state and other local agencies. 4. AUTHORIZE the County Administratorto work with the Sheriff to implement a bomb sniffing capability in the Sheriffs K9 Unit, and to acquire respirators (gas masks)for all Sheriffs field operations personnel in the Patrol Division. 5. AUTHORIZE the County Administrator to work with the Human Resources Department to insure that ID badges and ID cards are provided for County employees at any locations not currently issued. 6. RECOGNIZE that extensive training has been provided to essential emergency staff, and management and represented employees with mail handling responsibilities, and DIRECT the County Administrator to provide additional training as needed for all essential management staff that would command the emergency operating center when it is activated. 7. DIRECT the County Administrator and departments to work with our legislative delegation to obtain added federal and state resources to offset County costs for anti-terrorism security measures. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:QZL RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD MMITTE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON December 11, 2001 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER XX See attached addendum for Board's action. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE �`( UNANIMOUS(ABSENT None ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. ATTESTED December 11, 2001 Contact: JOHN SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF .r cc: SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR I BY DEPUTY BACKGROUND: Immediately after the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center, the County Administrator convened an internal work group to review the state of preparedness of the County for terrorist attacks. This effort was given a much larger profile and significant boost when, at the urging of Supervisor Gerber and Sheriff Rupf,the Board of Supervisors on October 9, 2001 directed the County Administrator to work with the Sheriff and Directors of Health Services, Public Works, OES, the Fire Chief and the Agriculture Commissioner to evaluate and assess capabilities of the County government to respond to acts of terrorism and bioterrorism. In addition, the Board authorized Supervisor Gerber to work with the Joint Conference Committee and to review healthcare access to hospitals during an emergency and including bioterrorism concerns. Ad Hoc Security Task Force (Coordination) Since that time the County Administrator has convened an Ad Hoc Security Task Force composed of the departments listed above to update the terrorism assessment plan first produced during calendar year 2000; determine vulnerabilities; and to develop recommendations for Board consideration that would improve and enhance the level of County preparedness. The work of the Ad Hoc Security Task Force has included a comprehensive inventory of over 300 public and private facilities that could be considered target areas. Security assessments were conducted and recommendations made and new procedures were implemented to increase security and reduce vulnerability. Simultaneously created was a task force in the Sheriff's Office with specific instructions to prepare, equip and educate field personnel and identification of ways to educate and calm the public. The Sheriff's Office is also participating in the FBI's Bay Area Terrorism Task Force by supplying personnel. The task force is headed by the San Francisco FBI Office and consists of Bay Area law enforcement representatives. The task force addresses possible terrorist strategies, potential targets, and develops plans to reduce potential terrorist acts. This participation ensures the County will receive fast and reliable exchange of information. Training, Briefings and Exercise Over the last sixty (60) days, County staff and departments heads have participated in a variety of training sessions, seminars and briefings with federal, state and local agencies-- including the Federal Anti-Terrorism Task Force, State Department of Health, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the State Department of Agriculture and the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA). During this same period communication networks have been enhanced and improved with the Office of Homeland Security, the State Anti-Terrorism Task Force, Federal Anti-Terrorism Task Force and the FBI. The Sheriff has provided training to the Police Chiefs' Association, including information on bioterrorist threats, mutual aid and terrorist assessments. This training was provided by the FBI, Health Services and the Office of Emergency Services. Not only has County staff received training from the state and federal levels of government, but the County has conducted training itself for its employees. In response to threatened anthrax incidents, the Health Services Department conducted bioterrorism training for County departments on October 18, dealing with biological threats in the work place. All County departments participated, with one or more staff members receiving the training and then conducting follow up training with other staff in their respective departments. Bioterrorism training was also provided for all Public Health nurses and other Public Health staff on October 31. Finally,the Health Services Department has made itself available to provide training as needed for any other County department staff. Essential emergency management staff participated in a tabletop exercise on November 15, which was conducted in conjunction with a statewide hospital drill that dealt with a simulated terrorist attack and hazardous materials release. This exercise included the -2- County Administrator and department heads who have emergency service responsibilities. This exercise culminated a three-stage training program initiated in August and conducted in September, October and November. Health Services Department The Health Services Department has been active in responding to bioterrorism and various inquiries from private providers, area hospitals, and the public. (See attached report and plan.) Some of the activities accomplished include the following: • Established a Bioterrorism Working Group of key Health Services Department staff and law enforcement and fire representatives to plan, coordinate, and implement the county's response to bioterrorism. • Posted bioterrorism information for physicians and community members on the Health Services Public Health website (www.ccpublichealth.org) • Met with the infection control coordinators, emergency room directors, and laboratory directors at nine Contra Costa community hospitals to strengthen awareness of bioterrorism procedures and the importance of rapid reporting of cases to the Health Department. • Reviewed procedures, available resources, and equipment needs to respond to a chemical or radiological terrorist event. Health Care Access to Hospitals A serious concern in dealing with the consequences of a large-scale bioterrorist event is hospital bed and critical care capacity. The closure of four acute care hospitals in Contra Costa since 1993 coupled with a shortage of critical care nurses has left the County with inadequate resources to treat a large increase in the number of patients requiring hospital care. Such an increase would be especially difficult to manage if it were to occur during the winter influenza season when the hospital resources are often strained to or beyond capacity. This situation is not unique to Contra Costa, and the State Department of Health Services has included home care instructions in its recently released "California Hospital Bioterrorism Response Planning Guide" in the event hospitals are overwhelmed and cannot accept additional patients. On the positive side, Contra Costa and Alameda Counties have implemented a new computer network called ReddiNet, linking the hospitals with each other and with county control points located at the counties'dispatch centers and EMS agencies. The system provides a powerful tool for rapid communication with hospital emergency departments and for monitoring hospital resources and patient census. Sheriffs Office (Emergency Services Division) The Director of OES has conducted a series of meetings and briefings with the private sector, including the petrochemical industry, refinery managers, and the Operational Area Council, which includes cities, fire, school and special district representatives. The OES Director and Chief Assistant County Administrator have also met personally with each member of the Board to identify district-level security issues pursuant to the Board's directive of October 9, 2001. The OES, in an effort to provide additional information to County employees, published a security bulletin that has been made available to all work locations in the County government. OES has also provided general information to the public as part of its outreach program on self-preparedness. Similar efforts have been made by Health Services and the Agriculture Commissioner. -3- Contra Costa Fire Protection District The following are some of the actions that have been taken by the County Fire District to address terrorism: • Conducted security assessment for district facilities and vehicles. • Communication caches consisting of portable radios and transmitters, purchased through Department of Justice (DOJ) grant have been assembled and distributed .to Richmond, Con Fire and San Ramon Fire. These portable radios and transmitters can be deployed quickly to major incidents as needed. • Conducted multi-casualty field exercise to test readiness for multiple patient incidents. • Sent district staff to a course on collapse of high-rise structures. • Preparing refresher course for field personnel on response to chemical and biological incidents. • Preparing purchase of respiratory equipment funded through Federal grant. Additional Actions and Preparations The Ad Hoc Security Task Force has been instrumental in developing the recommendations for consideration by the Board. The County Administrator has communicated with all employees and labor organizations about the changing environment and their role as emergency service workers should an emergency be declared. An article has been prepared for the January "County Clips" that County employees may be called upon to be "emergency service workers". A memo has also gone out to all departments to have in place an emergency plan pursuant to Administrative Bulletin 115.8, to ensure that risk assessments have taken place, and to ensure the continuation of essential operations during and immediately following an emergency or disaster. The Ad Hoc Security Task Force has inventoried current assets to determine what additional resources might be needed in the areas of public safety, public health, public works and communications. The recommendations in this report are the result of that assessment. Out of concern for the well-being of individuals,the County's diverse workforce, the County Administrator sent a memorandum to all County employees urging respect for the individual rights of each person during a time of stress and anger (copy attached). A review of hate crime reporting to the Sheriffs Office identified only one hate crime reported in Contra Costa County since September 11. Legislation at both the state and federal level will need to be followed closely, with appropriate recommendations for Board to action. We are following HR 3161, which would provide local agencies with additional funding to plan for and respond to emergencies and acts of terrorism; as well as the "Bioterrorism Protection Act (BioPAct) of 2001", a $7 billion package that would provide at least $2 billion in assistance to state and local agencies. cc: Ed Meyer, Director, Agriculture Department Captain George Lawrence, Director Sheriffs Office Office of Emergency Services Division Chief Keith Richter, Director Contra Costa Fire District Dr. William Walker, Director, Health Services Department Maurice Shiu, Director, Public Works Department Steve Steinbrecher, Director, Department of Information Technology -4- ADDENDUM TO ITEM D.3 December 11, 2001 On this date, the Board of Supervisors considered the report of the County's Preparedness to Acts of Terrorism and Bioterrorism. John Sweeten, County Administrator presented the staff report. Also present were Scott Tandy, County Administrator's Office, Chief Keith Richter, Contra Costa Fire, Commander Paul Clancy, Office of the Sheriff and Dr. William Walker, Director, Health Services. The Board discussed the matter. The Chair then opened public continent and invited those who wanted to address the Board on this issue. No one appeared to present testimony. Supervisor Gerber moved staff's recommendation with amendments. She requested that staff return to the board with a report on this year's flu season with the amount of funding spent, the amount needed in the future, and the amount coming from other sources with regard to the concerns discussed today. Staff agreed to return in the next 90 days. Supevisor Gioia second the motion. The Board took then took the following action: ACCEPTED the report on the County's Preparedness to Acts of Terrorism and Bioterrorism as Amended. Wit.t.irnt B. WALKER, M. D. HEATH SERVICES DIRECTOR O1- ICE OF THE DIRECTOR 20 Allen Street CONTRA COSTA Martinez, California 94553-3191 HEALTH SERVICES Ph ((925 ____5098 Fax (925) 370-5098 To: Contra Costa Board of Supervisors Date: November 28, 2001 John Gioia, District 1 Gayle B. Uilkema, District 2 Donna Gerber, District 3 Mark DeSaulnier, District 4 Federal Glover, District 5 From: William Walker, MD VA.^•LA)A/" ' Re: Health Department Preparations for Health Services Director Responding to a Terrorist Event Since the events of September 11, Contra Costa Health Services has intensified its planning and preparation to respond to a possible terrorist event impacting Contra Costa County. In October the Board of Supervisors directed the Health Services Department to prepare a plan for responding to bioterrorism, and to report back to the Board of Supervisors. I have asked Dr. Wendel Brunner, Director of Public Health, to coordinate the Department's response to bioterrorism threats. Attached is a plan that identifies crucial steps that are being taken or planned to strengthen Contra Costa's ability to respond to bioterrorism or other incidents. The plan identifies general areas of response as well as specific activities undertaken, in progress, or planned. The fact that we have Public Health, Communicable Disease Control, Public Health Laboratory, Hazardous Materials, Environmental Health, Emergency Medical Services with its close connections with the county's hospitals and emergency rooms, and a modern hospital and ambulatory care system all in one integrated department greatly facilitates a rapid and coordinated response to these new threats. Some of the activities already accomplished under the plan include: • Established a Bioterrorism Working Group of key Health Services Department staff and law enforcement and fire representatives to plan, coordinate, and implement the county's response to bioterrorism. • Conducted a half-day training for 400 Health Services Department employees, including 80 nurses, on bioterrorism and HSD staff responsibilities in responding to a terrorist event. • Arranged for 24-hour, 7-day a week availability of key Public Health Laboratory and Emergency Medical Services staff, in addition to the existing 24/7 availability of a physician health officer and HazMat emergency response teams. • Posted bioterrorism information for physicians and community members on the Health Services Public Health website (www.ccpublichealth.org). • Met with the infection control coordinators, emergency room directors, and laboratory directors at nine Contra Costa community hospitals to strengthen awareness of bioterrorism procedures and the importance of rapid reporting of cases to the Health Department. • Co-,Ira Costa Community Substance Abuse Services Contra Costa Emergency Medica'Services Contra Costa Ervironmental Health • Contra Costa Health Plan Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Programs •Contra Costa Mental Health • Contra Costa Public Health Contra Costa Regional Medical Center • Contra Costa Health Centers a Developed a joint policy with law enforcement for response to bioterrorism concerns, discussed the policy with the police chiefs' association, and disseminated the policy to all. police departments in the county. • HazMat responded to scores of white powder calls at the request of law enforcement under the joint policy, and the Public Health Laboratory tested over 70 samples for anthrax. • Reviewed procedures, available resources, and equipment needs to respond to a chemical or radiological terrorist event. • Identified additional funding and equipment needed to enhance response to a chemical or bioterrorist event. • Conducted a half-day bioterrorism tabletop exercise (December 4)with Health Services staff, State Office of Emergency Services, County OES, community hospital representatives, Coroner, National Guard, and local police and fire departments. This plan is a work in progress. The last few months have taught us to expect the unexpected and be prepared to rapidly modify any plan. We are in regular contact with the State Health Department, and are closely following the information being disseminated by the federal authorities. We will keep you informed as additional areas of response are identified. Attachment—A Plan for Preparation and Response to a-Bioterrorism Event cc: John Sweeten, County Administrator W:memos:bosbtrept112801 CONTRA COSTA HEALTH SERVICES A Preparation and Response Plan to a Bioterrorism Event November 2001 This plan identifies critical actions that have been taken and are planned to strengthen Contra Costa's ability to respond to terrorist attacks. The plan includes actions by Contra Costa Health Services Public Health Communicable Disease Program, the Public Health Laboratory, the Environmental Health, Hazardous Materials and Emergency Medical Services Divisions, the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and the Sheriff's Department. Because the situation is changing rapidly, the specifics in this plan can be expected to change frequently. 1. Critical Action: Internal andlnterag'ency Communications and Coordination .... .... .. .. ...1..... Internal and interagency communications and coordination is a key area whether agencies are responding to suspected concerns or dealing with actual terrorist incidents. Many communication systems are already in place in Health Services, including a physician health officer and Hazardous Materials emergency response on-call system. These internal communication systems need to be expanded, updated, and more widely disseminated to Health Services staff. In addition, bioterrorism requires a close liaison between law enforcement and Health Services, as we jointly respond to a potential criminal activity as well as health threat. Lines of communication with the state and federal authorities must also be rapid and effective, including the State Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control, and the FBI. Critical Action: Internal and Interagency Communications and Coordination Activities Primary Contact Completion Date. Convene Bioterrorism Working Group to Wendel Brunner, MD 10/17/01 and ongoing plan and implement Health Department response, Clarify reporting protocols with State Public Health (PH) 10/12/01 and ongoing -Department of Health Services Identify all methods of emergency PH 11/26/01 communications and strengthen use of them Review on-call schedule to provide PH, Hazardous Materials 10/17/01 expanded 24/7 coverage (HazMat), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Environmental Health (EH), Public Health Laboratory (PH Lab) Change outgoing messages to provide 24- PH, Communicable 10/12/01 hour contact info Disease (CD) Francie Wise 1. Communicate regularly with PH staff through PH 10/15/01 and ongoing all-staff email Meet with AMR to brief on anthrax and EMS discuss response protocol Art Lathrop Meet with police chiefs to discuss PH 11/1/01 and onging as bioterrorism and communications Francie Wise needed o Wendel Brunner Compile a description of other counties' EMS 11/27/01 methods for communicating surveillance Art Lathrop data II:''C'riti,cal Action:. Disease.Surveillance The most important activity in bioterrorism response for local health departments and the local medical provider community is early identification and reporting of a bioterrorist event. Only when a bioterrorism disease is detected can the state and federal disease control resources be brought to our community. Any delay in detection could lead to more fatalities through spread of disease or development of new cases. Bioterrorism detection is part of Public Health disease surveillance. The effectiveness of disease surveillance depends on strong ties.between the Health Department and the medical providers in the county, so that bioterrorism diseases are correctly identified and rapidly reported to the Health Department. .Critical Action: Disease Surveillance Activities Primary Contact Completion Date Survey 20 laboratories in Contra Costa to PH Lab Completed 10/11/01 identify who conducts microbiology testing and Rick Alexander and ongoing reinforce reporting protocols Create and distribute Contra Costa specific CD 10/11/01 guidelines for clinicians on reporting and Francie Wise responding to BT incidents Brief nine Contra Costa hospital emergency CD, PH Lab, EMS 10/30/01 room directors, lab representatives and infection control nurses on communication and Art Lathrop, Francie response Wise Visit Alta Bates and Kaiser laboratories to CD, PH Lab, EMS review BT testing Rick Alexander Week of 11/15/01 Communicate with infectious disease doctors, CD, PH Lab, EMS 11/27/01 Facilities and Critical Care Committee, Art Lathrop Hospital Disaster Forum and Hospital Infection Control Coordinators to provide briefing Work with ACCMA re: mailing to MDs Public Health Completed 10/30/01 Wendel Brunner, MD 2 Make presentations to emergency physicians William Walker, MD Six medical staff and and others on BT response Wendel Brunner, MD physician group Joe Barger, MD presentations Francie Wise, PHN completed by 11/30/01 —on going Develop regular fax communication with CD infectious disease MD's in the county Francie Wise Monitor flu cases to identify trends PH Francie Wise Obtain rapid flu kits to help identify flu CCRMC symptoms presenting to providers Work with Agriculture Commission on animal EH Ongoing and food disease-related issues Ken Stuart Work with DHS/Food & Drug Branch on food EH Ongoing supply issues Work with DHS Office of Drinking Water and EH 10/12/01 and FBI on water supply issues ongoing III. Critical;'Action: Respo:nding to Rot ential;Titeats Thus far, although there have been no credible threats and no cases of anthrax in the county, there have been countless calls to law enforcement agencies and/or public health about suspected threats. All of the threats so far have related to white powder substances, suspected to be anthrax. In our current crisis environment, both Public Health and law enforcement have specific responsibilities. Both public health and law enforcement agencies are having to develop ways to collaborate and to respond in an effective manner that addresses community concerns, uses limited resources effectively and integrates new information provided by state and federal agencies almost daily. Added to the challenge is that there are independent law enforcement agencies in nearly all of our cities, each grappling with how to adapt State OES, FBI and other information into their existing protocols. Sometimes, law enforcement and public health have different requirements, which impact on the way in which staff respond to community concerns. Also, calls from the public about suspected threats come into a variety of points, including police and fire dispatch, Communicable Disease, Hazardous materials, the Public Health Lab, Environmental Health and other programs. This requires a coordinated and consistent response. Critical Action: Responding to Potential Threats Activities Primary Contact Completion Date Create a relationship with the Sheriffs PH 10/20/01 and ongoing Office and fire departments. Obtain law Dan Guerra g g enforcement and fire representation in the Bioterrorism Working Group Clarify response procedure; revise Haz PH, Sheriff, HazMat, EH Ongoing; 12/12/01 for Mat protocols for responding; brief EH Lew Pascalli EH staff 3 Provide instructions to local law Sheriff, CCHS 10/20/01 and ongoing enforcement about handling BT incidents and notifying appropriate agencies Notify and respond to calls from labs about after-hours communications related PH Lab Ongoing to BT incidents Participate in regular State conference Bioterrorism Work Group 100/01 and ongoing calls Identify additional funding needs to EMS 10/2/01 and ongoing upgrade response capacity Art Lathrop Interface with FBI PH, Sheriff, local law agencies Train all CCHS Public Health staff CD, PH Lab, HazMat, EMS First session: 10/31/01 )V C_riticaI Action: Disseminating lriformation fo th'e.Public This is a very important area because the public wants and needs accurate information, including what events and preparations are occurring locally. The constantly changing federal and state directives complicate providing information to the public. In addition, because of the diversity of the county's population, getting information out in a variety of languages is a challenge. Health officials must insure that they communicate with the public in a manner that calms fears but also must be able to admit when they don't have all the answers. And in order to educate the public, law enforcement and public health must be sure their own staff have current information. Critical Action: Disseminating Information to the Public Activities Primary Contact Completion Date Respond to phone calls PH Ongoing Expand website to include general PH 11/1/01 information Disseminate Information to Latino PH, CCTV 11/15/01 population through Vida Sana En Vivo cable TV show Develop fact sheet for public about PH, Haz Mat 11/26/01 response and testing procedures Develop and distribute press releases PH Ongoing V_`CriticalAction 'Mokilizingto Respond toan_Actual:Bioter.rorism:Event Planning a response mobilization is difficult when the scenario for the probable incident changes. In October, the threat was anthrax; next week it might be smallpox. Bioterrorism threats require different responses than chemical or radiological threats. The activities described here should make it possible to respond effectively when a credible threat is identified and/or if a terrorist incident affects a large number of people or wide geographic area. 4 ► r Critical Action: Mobilizing to Respond to an Actual Bioterrorism Event Activities Primary Contact Completion Date Public upgrade Public Health Lab to Level B PH Lab Ongoing Explore how to communicate with pharmacies about EMS prescribing appropriate amount of antibiotics Identify sites where mass immunization could be EMS conducted Conduct drill to test communication and response All Ongoing system Explore mutual aid options HazMat, EH Ongoing Prepare Public Health lab for massive anthrax nasal PH Lab 11/1/01 swab testing Clarify and reinforce role of 100 public health nurses PH 10/31/01 to respond Conduct survey to identify inventory of antibiotics and EMS 10/23/01 chemical antidotes available in county Provide four-hour training for 400 Health Services Francie Wise 10/31/01 and staff for response to bioterrorism Joe Barger ongoing with video tape for CCTV Tabletop bioterrorism exercise with Health Services Francie Wise 12/4/01 staff, local hospitals, fire, police, State OES, County OES W:memostosbtplan 12401 5 ant of: Contra;Costa: . O.FFKE OF THE COU NTY A DMINISTRATOR MEMORANDUM DATE: September 13, 2001 TO: Department Heads c FROM: John Sweeten County Admi ' trator SUBJECT: RESPECT FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS It is easy at a time like this to allow one's anger at the actions of a relatively small group of perverse individuals to be projected to a larger class of persons. All County employees are reminded that, as Americans of many different ethnic and religious backgrounds, we all hold in common a deep respect for the rights of each individual. It is that fundamental principle of our democracy that commands us to refrain from actions or words--in our communities and in our workplaces--that would threaten the respect for others that we demand and deserve for ourselves. This is a time for us to respect one another, not only as co-workers and neighbors, but also as human beings. Your time and mine is well spent in ensuring respect for the rights of individuals in our workplaces. It's not just the law—it's the right thing to do. Thank you for your help in this matter. Cc: Board of Supervisors