Agenda - 11-18-2003-9b - Laserfiche WebLink

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15 Project Narrative Background The establishment of a Medical Reserve Corps by the Orange County Health Department will occur in Orange County, North Carolina (Appendix A -Map). Orange County Health Department (OCHD) is a unit of the; local County govenunent. Orange County has a population of 118, 000, encompasses approximately 400 square miles and consists of three main municipalities -the Towns of Chal-el Hill (population 46,800), Can-boro (population 16,800), and Hillsborough (population 5,500). Since the overall population of the County relative to the three main municipalities is substazitial, the majority of the population lives in rural areas and depends on County public agencies; for their services. Due to the geographic location of Orange County, the community is at risk far hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. The University of North Carolina (UNC) is also located in Orange County and has a significant international student population, thus placing the community at risk for communicable diseases, such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and tuberculosis. The Orange County Health Deparment (OCHD) has collaborated closely with Orange County Department of Emergency Management, Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Orange County Department of Social Services, local law enforcement, a,~d Animal Control Services in responding to disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and ice stones. All of these events displace citizens and their pets and require thorough coordination of services to meet the needs of the community. The University of North C;~rolina at Chapel Hill consists of a number of health professional schools and a large tertiary hospital. The OCHD recognizes the wealth of resources and support available from the university community and has established relationships with individuals at UNC Hospitals, Stu3ent Health Services, and within the Schools of Public Health, 4