$15 Million in Grants for Terrorism and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Announced

 

(TRENTON) -- Governor James E. McGreevey and Health and Senior Services Commissioner Clifton R. Lacy, M.D. today released a summary of New Jersey’s “Terrorism and Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.” 

 

“The attacks of 9/11 and the anthrax incidents taught us that preparedness is vital to keeping New Jersey safe," said McGreevey. "These events illustrated all too clearly how terrorism in its many forms impacts all New Jerseyans.”

 

McGreevey said that the plan will help aid State, county and local public health agencies, hospitals and other healthcare providers prepare for and respond to acts of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive/incendiary terrorism.

 

“The comprehensive plan sets forth a blueprint for New Jersey to improve its public health preparedness against the many forms of terrorism,” said McGreevey.  “It calls for strengthening the State’s response capabilities, improving communications systems and enhancing disease surveillance.”

 

The plan is based on recommendations by the state’s Medical Emergency and Disaster Prevention and Response Expert Panel (MEDPREP), which was formed in November 2001 at the direction of then Governor-elect McGreevey and was chaired by Dr. Lacy. MEDPREP is comprised of 25 of the state's top health care experts.

 

“The development of our Preparedness and Response Plan and the implementation of many of its key features, make New Jersey far better prepared today than at any time in its history," said McGreevey. "The coordinated elements outlined in this plan will make New Jersey significantly safer and more able to respond to acts of terrorism in an agile, rapid and effective fashion."

 

Among the report’s recommendations that have already been implemented: 

 

• Health care experts in infectious diseases and other fields serve as an on-call rapid response team 24/7 for suspected biological events.

 

• Federally funded epidemiologists and other health personnel are being incorporated into county public health agencies to enhance prompt detection, identification and response to disease outbreaks.

 

• State employed emergency response planner-coordinators are being deployed to 22 regions throughout the State to promote statewide consistency and coordination of preparedness.

 

• A state-of-the-art DHSS Emergency Operations Center is nearing completion.

 

• Security and capacity of the New Jersey State Public Health and Environmental Laboratories have been increased.

 

• New Jersey is the first state in the nation to be implementing a non-interruptible 800 MHz trunked two-way radio system in all of its 85 acute care hospitals and 15 key governmental agencies to ensure reliable communication during a public health emergency.

 

• New Jersey is the first state in the nation to pilot an innovative computer-based system for managing mass smallpox vaccination.

 

“Our goal is rapid detection and accurate identification of health threats and coordination and effectiveness in response,” said Commissioner Lacy.  “This plan prepares New Jersey not only for terrorism-related health threats, but also for natural disaster and disease outbreaks.”

 

To aid in the implementation of key aspects of the Preparedness and Response Plan, Governor McGreevey and Dr. Lacy also announced $15 million in grants to county public health agencies, hospitals and other health care organizations.

 

Peter Correale, president of the New Jersey Health Officers Association and Health Officer in Pequannock Township, said, “these funds will be used to improve the public health system for the advancement of individual and community health needs."

 

“Since September 11, the New Jersey Hospital Association has been developing various strategies to assist hospitals in improving disaster preparedness,” said Gary Carter, president of the 105-member New Jersey Hospital Association.  “The financial support the association is receiving today from the Department of Health and Senior Services will allow us to move forward with a more systematic, comprehensive and collaborative effort that will help hospitals achieve the highest level of emergency response."

 

Receiving grants were the New Jersey Hospital Association and 85 acute care hospitals, the New Jersey Primary Care Association, the Health Care Association of New Jersey and the New Jersey Association of Nonprofit Homes for the Aging.

 

“The message today is that New Jersey is better prepared than ever before for the vast spectrum of health emergencies and that we are committed to continually improving our state of readiness” Dr. Lacy said.