1. Bridging the Gap: RAC & Public Health Coordination Heart of Texas Regional Advisory Council Best Practices October 25, 2011

2. Objectives To explain the importance of Regional Advisory Council (RAC) and Public Health coordination. To give examples of how HOTRAC has worked with local/regional Public Health to achieve regional goals. To describe how this working relationship has proven to strengthen the healthcare system in the HOTRAC Region.

3. Unique History HOTRAC and Public Health began working together during the Smallpox planning. Public Health included the RAC in SNS and ChemPack planning and development of SOGs. Health Service Region 7 contracted HOTRAC to work on volunteer recruitment and rural county Annex H’s. Heart of Texas Region has been lucky to maintain key players in planning. Several have moved among preparedness partners.

4. Why Coordinate? Cooperation is essential to fulfilling ESF-8 mandates. Allows for clearer communication among stakeholders and with the community. Minimizes regional waste in planning, training, and acquisition of preparedness assets. Allows a mixture of knowledge and experience to increase response capabilities.

5. Methods of Coordination Multi-Use Alternate Care Sites (i.e. POD, triage, treatment) Exercises, Drills, Planning, and Execution

6. Methods of Coordination, cont. Joint Information Center (JIC) Sharing of Assets (equipment & supplies) Standing Agenda Items on all Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Committee meetings Data collection (i.e. H1N1, heat-related illness, wildfire- related illness/death) Public Health Alerts (EMResource) Infection Control Practioners’ Forum

7. Benefits of Coordination Improved patient care. Better public awareness through coordinated messages. Grant deliverable coordination. Strengthened Regional Health/Medical Plan. Seamless data collection as required by local, regional, and state partners. Stakeholder awareness of Public Health and RAC activities. One-Stop Shop in Emergencies/Disasters

8. Potential Gaps Noted Geographical boundary issues: COGs, RACs, PHR, DPS, etc. Responsibility vs. requested boundaries are sometimes blurred. Neither entity has a complete list of the others’ housed inventory.

9. Questions? Heart of Texas Regional Advisory Council Waco-McLennan County Public Health District Health Service Region 7