TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all necessary documents with the County of Los Angeles to provide for bioterrorism preparedness and public health infrastructure development; and to accept funding in the amount of $1,569,248 for a one-year period.
(Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since 2002, the federal 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 provide for response support to a bioterrorist threat or other similar public health emergency in the County. The County has requested a new agreement to continue these services for an additional year. This agreement allows for
continued funding in the sum of $1,187,655 for bioterrorism preparedness in the following areas: response coordination, epidemiology and surveillance, biological and chemical public health laboratory capacity, technology and communication enhancements, risk communication and health education services. This award has been augmented by $381,593 as a component of the Cities Readiness Initiative. These additional funds will enhance the capacity of the City's Department of Health and Human Services' capacity to provide treatment remedies to city residents in the event of a biological incident. To date, the CDC funds have provided critical infrastructure improvements to the City's public health capacity, including:
1. Renovation of the City's p.ublic health 'laboratory to include new molecular instrumentation for highly sensitive testing of a broader range of biological agents. Additionally, the Lab renovation includes enhanced safety and security measures. 2. Development of comprehensive response plans including epidemiology and laboratory response, Strategic National Stockpile, smallpox vaccination, and pandemic influenza. 3. Workforce development through the training of staff on plans and exercising specific job action sheets/position resource gui...
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