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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 09-095-CCBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Grant County, Washington RESOLUTION / DECLARATION OF RESOLUTION No. 09- D9,5-CC EMERGENCY NOVEL H1N1 PANDEMIC WHEREAS, on the 21ST day of October, 2009, H1N1 (Novel Influenza) Pandemic has been impacting Grant County which has the potential to adversely affect the health of all people in Grant County; and WHEREAS, the Administrator of Grant County Health District has reported to the Grant County Board of Commissioners that beginning as of October 21, 2009, multiple individuals have bean hospitalized with the novel H1N1 influenza causing in some instances life-threatening complications, and WHEREAS, this disease can result in serious impacts to the health and well-being of the public and may overwhelm the health and medical system in Grant County; and WHEREAS, under the above referenced conditions there is substantial likelihood of risk to the citizens of Grant County and the cities therein unless further efforts are taken to reduce the threat; and WHEREAS, set of circumstances now existing demands immediate action to preserve public health; and WHEREAS, the ability for EMT — IV Techs, EMT — Intermediates, and Paramedics to provide the novel H1N1 vaccine to people in Grant County is dependent on the ability o�the County Health Officer and the County Emergency Medical Services, and Medical Program Director to adjust scope of practice which authorization is allowed when an emergency is officially declared; and WHEREAS, the conditions stated above constitute an emergency/disaster for the County, necessitating activation of the Grant County Emergency Management Plan and the utilization o�emergency powers granted pursuant to RCW 36.40.180, 38.52.070(2), and 38.52.110(1). WHEREAS, emergency conditions for the County, necessitating activation of the Grant County Emergency Worker Program pursuant to 38.52.070(2), and WAC 118.040. NOW THEREFORE, the Board of County Commissioners of Grant County, Washington does resolve as follows: Section L There is hereby declared an emergency, as defined in the Grant County Emergency Management Plan (PLAN), due to the imminent spread of the Novel H1N1 Pandemic in Grant County. Page 1 of 2 Section 2. Pursuant to the emergency declared at Section l, County departments and offices, as designated pursuant to the PLAN, are authorized to assist the Grant County Health District to prevent and respond to pandemic impacts to protect the health and safety of the citizens of the County, and provide emergency assistance to the victims of such emergency, consistent with the PLAN. Section 3. The declaration of a local emergency set forth at Section 1 shall terminate at midnight (first Wednesday following the 90th day after the date this resolution is adopted unless extended by the Board of County Commissioners. EFFECTIVE this �� day of ���vwr���; 2009. Yea Nay � ❑ � ❑ �/ o BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Abstain GRANT COUNT , WASHINGTON r ❑ Cindy � art r, Chair ❑ --- ---- Ric ard Stevens, Member � ��'�' �a�� Carolann Swartz, Member l Page 2 of 2 ��.�.NT covN�rx Counry Courthouse PO, Box 37 Ephrata, WA 98823 (509) 754•6460 ��ALT�I. ��.ST��.CT 1038 W, Iry Avenue Moses Lake, WA 98837 (509) '�66-7960 Health Officer Order and Emerqencv Declaration Reaardin Pursuant to my authority as Health Officer under RCW 7�.05.070 to control and prevent the spread of dangerous, contagious or infectious diseases, I hereby find that; • There is now in Grant County an epidemic caused by the novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, part of the global H1 N1 influenza pandemic. • The Federal Government has declared a public health emergency as a result of this pandemic. � Although public health and medical care authorities are making every possible effort to provide H1 N1 immunizations in Grant County, vaccine supplies are still limited, Most of the population will remain vulnerable to H1 N1 infection for at least several more weeks, and perhaps for several months. • Although most cases of H1 N1 influenza are relatively mild, the large number of cases has been straining outpatient clinics; the virus illness has caused a notable number of cases requiring advanced care or hospitalization, thus, straining the capacity of local and regional hospitals. • The ability for selecf EMS staff to administer the H1 N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine to residents in Grant County is dependent on the ability of the County Health Officer and the County Emergency Medical Services Medical Program Director to adjust scope of practice which authorization is allowed when an emergency is officially declared. Therefore, I hereby declare that there is now in Grant County Health District boundaries a public health emergency due to the novel 2009 H1 N1 pandemic virus, and order that the pandemic influenza emergency plans of the Health District, hospitals and local governments within the Health District be implemented. I further order that, pursuant to pandemic influenza emergency plans, health care providers and health care organizations and emergency medical services entities within the Health District boundaries take such measures as are necessary for the optimal use of scarce health care resources to best serve the health of residents of Grant County during this pandemic emergency, including the use of altered standards of care when necessary for this purpose. This declaration of public health emergency shall remain in force until such time as it is revoked due to reductian in the severity of the pandemic. In addition, I urge Grant County officials to declare an emergency due to the 2009 H1 N1 Swine Flu pand��nic. _ �, � Alexander L. Brzezny, MD, MPH,�,dant County Health Officer`<i�, P� ', , `, Signed this ��� °�� Day of �v�'� � , 2009. ;�, �, ,.