1. GOVERNMENT IMPACT AND PREPARATION

2. The United States Federal Government takes actions that are in the best interests of the nation and are not likely to occur without government intervention. The United States Federal Government takes actions that are in the best interests of the nation and are not likely to occur without government intervention. The Federal Government cannot be relied upon to take a major role in the event of an influenza pandemic to respond to the needs of the citizens. The Federal Government cannot be relied upon to take a major role in the event of an influenza pandemic to respond to the needs of the citizens.

3. BAD NEWS: A flu pandemic will be widespread and move quickly across the globe A flu pandemic will be widespread and move quickly across the globe Because there has been no previous exposure to the flu strain, a high percentage of people will get sick and a larger than normal percentage of people will die Because there has been no previous exposure to the flu strain, a high percentage of people will get sick and a larger than normal percentage of people will die Our health care system will likely be overwhelmed, and there will be an unprecedented disruption in our workforce Our health care system will likely be overwhelmed, and there will be an unprecedented disruption in our workforce

4. GOOD NEWS: The impacts of the flu pandemic are known and society will be affected in specific and foreseeable ways The impacts of the flu pandemic are known and society will be affected in specific and foreseeable ways Planning for a flu pandemic can result in a well-managed community response and recovery Planning for a flu pandemic can result in a well-managed community response and recovery

5. Flu Pandemic is a result of a disease often considered the domain of the health service system Local governments (County, towns/villages/city) will be expected to play a critical role as well Protect Employees Protect Employees Ensure Delivery of Essential Services Ensure Delivery of Essential Services Support Health Care Delivery System Support Health Care Delivery System Assist Community Members Assist Community Members Protect Local Economy Protect Local Economy

6. PROTECT EMPLOYEES 1) Revise workplace procedures to minimize exposure to the virus and spread of the disease Minimize group gatherings/meetingsMinimize group gatherings/meetings Consider work from home for certain positionsConsider work from home for certain positions 2) Plan for high absenteeism; make sure that employee overtime and leave policies are in place, as well as measures to hire temporary employees 3) Identify ways to separate staff from public 4) Plan staff immunizations by priority

7. ENSURE DELIVERY OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES 1) Identify those existing services considered essential (police and fire protection, water delivery, sanitation/sewage disposal, emergency services, transportation network, telecommunications network, electrical power network, social services) 2) Identify those services not routinely provided that will likely be necessary (information center/phone bank, instituting quarantines or closures, instituting measures to ensure delivery of food, water and medical care, implement mass immunizations, burial of dead if mass fatalities occur

8. ENSURE DELIVERY OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES (Continued) 3) Plan for ways to ensure provision of essential services with minimal disruptions Identify key personnel/positions and assure that a redundancy of knowledge and experience existsIdentify key personnel/positions and assure that a redundancy of knowledge and experience exists Establish policies to be implemented during a pandemic (i.e. employee compensation, sick leave absences, flexible work location or hours, how to manage employees that have been exposed to the flu or suspected to be ill at worksite, sequestering key personnel in small teams to avoid exposure as long as possibleEstablish policies to be implemented during a pandemic (i.e. employee compensation, sick leave absences, flexible work location or hours, how to manage employees that have been exposed to the flu or suspected to be ill at worksite, sequestering key personnel in small teams to avoid exposure as long as possible Develop an immunization plan for limited supplies of vaccineDevelop an immunization plan for limited supplies of vaccine Develop methods for overcoming shortfalls in facilities/supplies (stockpiling supplies, provide security and enforcement, control traffic and travel)Develop methods for overcoming shortfalls in facilities/supplies (stockpiling supplies, provide security and enforcement, control traffic and travel) Collaborate for delivery of services provided by others (telecommunications, electrical supply)Collaborate for delivery of services provided by others (telecommunications, electrical supply) Develop contingency plans for services not normally provided (mass immunization, mass fatality, information center)Develop contingency plans for services not normally provided (mass immunization, mass fatality, information center) Create an Incident Command System for the flu pandemic plan based on the National Incident Management SystemCreate an Incident Command System for the flu pandemic plan based on the National Incident Management System

9. SUPPORT HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM 1) Assist health care officials through medical and non-medical means Coordinate and assist with mass immunizationsCoordinate and assist with mass immunizations Implement travel/traffic advisoriesImplement travel/traffic advisories Coordinate closure of places of public gathering to reduce the spread of the diseaseCoordinate closure of places of public gathering to reduce the spread of the disease Provide enhanced security for critical facilitiesProvide enhanced security for critical facilities

10. ASSIST COMMUNITY MEMBERS 1) Provide timely and accurate information before and during the event 2) Facilitate transportation of goods (food, water, medical supplies) 3) Provide non-medical care to those at home needing food, medical care, heat, etc. 4) Develop and implement a recovery plan (homeless services, food bank, counseling, orphan services, etc.)

11. PROTECT LOCAL ECONOMY 1) Ensure provision of essential services 2) Provide enhanced security and enforcement 3) Provide timely and accurate information 4) Work with State and Federal agencies for recovery services and benefits

12. SUMMARY Local governments can take action in a number of ways to manage the risks and impacts of a flu pandemic 1)Understand the threat 2)Assess the Risks 3)Prepare for the Event 4)Coordinated Response

13. FINAL THOUGHT Responding to the challenge of a flu pandemic can best be accomplished through proper advance planning and through collaborative efforts of stakeholders in the community— businesses, health providers, institutions, utilities and citizens