TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract amendment to agreement No. PH-002224, and any subsequent extensions and amendments, or necessary documents, between Los Angeles County and the City of Long Beach for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) and Communities Readiness Initiative (CRI) Programs in the amount of $875,117 for the period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In the aftermath of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and H1N1 and other threats, public health preparedness has become central to the public health mission at the federal, state, and local levels. In the City of Long Beach, the Department of Health and Human Services' (Health Department) Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) Program leads the Department's response to local threats and emergencies such as the recent Hepatitis A outbreak and ongoing surveillance of diseases with potential global impact such SARS, MERS-CoV and avian flu. During the H1N1 epidemic in 2009, the Health Department led the City's mass prophylaxis efforts that provided vaccinations to nearly 17,000 individuals. In collaboration with the Police and Fire Departments, the Health Department ensures the City's safety through organized planning and execution of public health emergency response and tactics.
Since 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded the County of Los Angeles (County) funding for bioterrorism preparedness and public health infrastructure development to effectively respond to bioterrorist threats or other public health emergencies in Long Beach. Subsequently, the Health Department was awarded a sole source agreement by the County to further develop local public health preparedness and response capabilities.
The County is providing $875,117 in funding to fulfill the CDC's public health preparedness capabilities standards, including community preparedness, emergency operations coordination, emergency public information and warning, information sharing, medical countermeasure dispensing, medical material management and distribution, public health laboratory testing, public health surveillance and epidemiological investigation, responder health and safety, and volunteer management.
Deliverables include the development and maintenance of an All-Hazards Plan and hazard/strategy specific annexes, templates for information sharing and risk communications, protocols on outbreak management, response coordination, information sharing, and mitigation, community education materials, response equipment, and personnel training & exercises.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Vu on June 17, 2013 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on June 21, 2013.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on July 9, 2013 in order to continue services and funding without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total amount of the agreement is $875,117. Sufficient funds are currently budgeted in the Health Fund (SR 130) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HE). There is no City match, no impact on the General Fund, and no net impact to jobs associated with this action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
SUSAN PRICE
ACTING DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER