Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: October 1, 2013 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 5 -e <br />SUBJECT: Approval of a New Public Health Preparedness Coordinator Position <br />DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services & Health PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Darshan Patel, 919 - 245 -6135 <br />James Groves, 919 - 245 -6140 <br />Dr. Colleen Bridger, 919 - 245 -2412 <br />Clarence Grier, 919 - 245 -2453 <br />1 <br />PURPOSE: To approve a new Public Health Preparedness Coordinator position (1.0 FTE) in <br />Orange County as a shared position between Emergency Services (.50 FTE) and the Health <br />Department (.50 FTE). <br />BACKGROUND: Over the past several years, through the work of the Public Health <br />Preparedness Coordinator, Orange County has developed an outstanding public health <br />emergency preparedness program. This position works closely with Emergency Services (ES) <br />Division of Emergency Management and other first responders to coordinate emergency <br />preparedness needs in the County. <br />The Public Health Preparedness Coordinator is responsible for: developing and implementing <br />mutual aid agreements to support National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant <br />public health response; working in conjunction with Emergency Services to use and maintain <br />incident management systems for local events and response activities; developing and <br />maintaining OSHA compliant respiratory protection programs as offered by the Public Health <br />Regional Surveillance Team; updating county Strategic National Stockpile plans in accordance <br />with the most current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance; and working with <br />Emergency Services to update and maintain the Emergency Operations Plan. <br />Historically the Health Department has contracted with the Person County Health Department to <br />carry out the duties of the position while working closely with ES and other first responders <br />within the County. Up until June 2013 when the position in Person County became vacant, the <br />Health Department had a contract with Person County that outlined deliverables and position <br />duties. Salary and benefits of the Public Health Preparedness Coordinator was split between <br />the two counties at 50 %, with the Orange County portion being covered by budgeted state grant <br />funds. As a result of the vacancy, Person County will be creating its own 1.0 FTE to handle <br />