Recommendations for Emergency Preparedness and Public Health

Report #170a, June 2005
Recommendations for Emergency Preparedness and Public Health

Full Report

Executive Summary

Press Release

Fact Sheet

Study Description

Previous Studies

Agenda

Overview

In this report, the Commission renews its call for an evidence-based and data-driven strategy for reducing threats. This report updates recommendations the Commission made in its January 2002 report, Be Prepared: Getting Ready for New and Uncertain Dangers, and its April 2003 report, To Protect & Prevent:  Rebuilding California's Public Health System. 

In its follow up review of emergency preparedness and public health, the Commission found that several of its prior recommendations for improvements have not been made a priority. The State has not deployed a public health surveillance system that could detect serious threats in time to save thousands of lives. The State has not stopped the erosion of its laboratory capacity, which is essential to analyzing and informing medical responses. The State does not have a cohesive strategy for developing the surge capacity necessary to accommodate large numbers of injuries or illness. The State has not assessed the consequences of budget cuts that local officials say will thwart a coordinated response to regional disasters. And the State does not have in place a plan – or even a deadline for establishing a plan – to ensure that first responders from different agencies can communicate when they respond to the same disaster.

The Commission reiterates and refines its recommendations from 2002 and 2003 and recommends the state fortify its public safety and emergency response infrastructure.   

Print Agenda
  • May 26
    2005
    Emergency Preparedness Review
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 112, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on Emergency Preparedness Review 
    Thursday, May 26, 2005, at 9:00 a.m. 
    State Capitol, Room 112 
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks

    Panel 1 – Public Health Preparedness and Incorporation into Chain of Command

    1. Colonel Robert Kadlec, M.D., Staff Director, Subcommittee on Bioterrorism and Public Health, U. S. Senate, and  former National Security Council and White House Advisor  (Written Testimony, Attachment, PowerPoint Presentation)
       
    2. Alan P. Zelicoff, M.D., Senior Scientific Consultant, ARES Corporation and former senior scientist, Center for Arms Control and National Security, Sandia National Laboratories (Written Testimony, Attachment)
       
    3. Eric M. Koscove, M.D., Chief, Emergency Department, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, and bioterrorism lead, Kaiser National Healthcare Continuity Management Committee (Written Testimony)
       
    4. Richard J. Burton, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Department of Health and Human Services, Placer County; former President, California Conference of Local Health Officers (Written Testimony)
       
    5. Stephen Waterman, M.D., M.P.H., Quarantine Medical Officer and U.S.-Mexico Border Infectious Disease Coordinator (Written Testimony)
       
    6. Peter Abbott, M.D., M.P.H., President, California Public Health Association - North (Written Testimony)
       

    Panel  2 – General Emergency Response Readiness

    1. Senator William Campbell, Chair, Governor’s Blue Ribbon Fire Commission (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Brigadier General (Retired) John E. Iffland, U.S. National Guard and Air Wing Commander, Federal Task Force – Wildfires (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Christopher A. Godley, Emergency Services Manager, Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (Written Testimony)
       
    4. Jim Rissmiller, Legislative Director, CDF Firefighters and Battalion Chief, San Bernardino County (Written Testimony)
       
    5. John Hamm, Chief Executive Officer, California Association of Highway Patrolmen (Written Testimony)
       

    Panel 3 – Schwarzenegger Administration Respondent

    1. Sandra Shewry,  Director, California Department of Health Services (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Richard Watson, Interim Director, Emergency Medical Services Authority (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Henry Renteria, Director, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Written Testimony)
       
    4. Major General Thomas W. Eres, Adjutant General, California National Guard (Written Testimony)
       
    5. Matthew R. Bettenhausen, Director, Office of Homeland Security (Written Testimony)
       

    Comments Submitted by Members of the Public

    • Lester Breslow, MD, MPH, Dean Emeritus, UCLA School of Public Health (Written Comments)
       
    • Peter Abbott, President, California Public Health Association-North and Kathleen Chamberlin, President, Southern California Public Health Association (Written Comments)
       
    • Carmen R. Nevarez, MD, MPH, Medical Director & VP of External Relations, Public Health Institute (Written Comments)
       
    • Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Written Comments)
May 26
2005
Emergency Preparedness Review
9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 112, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on Emergency Preparedness Review 
Thursday, May 26, 2005, at 9:00 a.m. 
State Capitol, Room 112 
Sacramento, CA


Opening Remarks

Panel 1 – Public Health Preparedness and Incorporation into Chain of Command

  1. Colonel Robert Kadlec, M.D., Staff Director, Subcommittee on Bioterrorism and Public Health, U. S. Senate, and  former National Security Council and White House Advisor  (Written Testimony, Attachment, PowerPoint Presentation)
     
  2. Alan P. Zelicoff, M.D., Senior Scientific Consultant, ARES Corporation and former senior scientist, Center for Arms Control and National Security, Sandia National Laboratories (Written Testimony, Attachment)
     
  3. Eric M. Koscove, M.D., Chief, Emergency Department, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, and bioterrorism lead, Kaiser National Healthcare Continuity Management Committee (Written Testimony)
     
  4. Richard J. Burton, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Department of Health and Human Services, Placer County; former President, California Conference of Local Health Officers (Written Testimony)
     
  5. Stephen Waterman, M.D., M.P.H., Quarantine Medical Officer and U.S.-Mexico Border Infectious Disease Coordinator (Written Testimony)
     
  6. Peter Abbott, M.D., M.P.H., President, California Public Health Association - North (Written Testimony)
     

Panel  2 – General Emergency Response Readiness

  1. Senator William Campbell, Chair, Governor’s Blue Ribbon Fire Commission (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Brigadier General (Retired) John E. Iffland, U.S. National Guard and Air Wing Commander, Federal Task Force – Wildfires (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Christopher A. Godley, Emergency Services Manager, Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (Written Testimony)
     
  4. Jim Rissmiller, Legislative Director, CDF Firefighters and Battalion Chief, San Bernardino County (Written Testimony)
     
  5. John Hamm, Chief Executive Officer, California Association of Highway Patrolmen (Written Testimony)
     

Panel 3 – Schwarzenegger Administration Respondent

  1. Sandra Shewry,  Director, California Department of Health Services (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Richard Watson, Interim Director, Emergency Medical Services Authority (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Henry Renteria, Director, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Written Testimony)
     
  4. Major General Thomas W. Eres, Adjutant General, California National Guard (Written Testimony)
     
  5. Matthew R. Bettenhausen, Director, Office of Homeland Security (Written Testimony)
     

Comments Submitted by Members of the Public

  • Lester Breslow, MD, MPH, Dean Emeritus, UCLA School of Public Health (Written Comments)
     
  • Peter Abbott, President, California Public Health Association-North and Kathleen Chamberlin, President, Southern California Public Health Association (Written Comments)
     
  • Carmen R. Nevarez, MD, MPH, Medical Director & VP of External Relations, Public Health Institute (Written Comments)
     
  • Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Written Comments)
Print Agenda
  • May 26
    2005
    Emergency Preparedness Review
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 112, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on Emergency Preparedness Review 
    Thursday, May 26, 2005, at 9:00 a.m. 
    State Capitol, Room 112 
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks

    Panel 1 – Public Health Preparedness and Incorporation into Chain of Command

    1. Colonel Robert Kadlec, M.D., Staff Director, Subcommittee on Bioterrorism and Public Health, U. S. Senate, and  former National Security Council and White House Advisor  (Written Testimony, Attachment, PowerPoint Presentation)
       
    2. Alan P. Zelicoff, M.D., Senior Scientific Consultant, ARES Corporation and former senior scientist, Center for Arms Control and National Security, Sandia National Laboratories (Written Testimony, Attachment)
       
    3. Eric M. Koscove, M.D., Chief, Emergency Department, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, and bioterrorism lead, Kaiser National Healthcare Continuity Management Committee (Written Testimony)
       
    4. Richard J. Burton, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Department of Health and Human Services, Placer County; former President, California Conference of Local Health Officers (Written Testimony)
       
    5. Stephen Waterman, M.D., M.P.H., Quarantine Medical Officer and U.S.-Mexico Border Infectious Disease Coordinator (Written Testimony)
       
    6. Peter Abbott, M.D., M.P.H., President, California Public Health Association - North (Written Testimony)
       

    Panel  2 – General Emergency Response Readiness

    1. Senator William Campbell, Chair, Governor’s Blue Ribbon Fire Commission (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Brigadier General (Retired) John E. Iffland, U.S. National Guard and Air Wing Commander, Federal Task Force – Wildfires (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Christopher A. Godley, Emergency Services Manager, Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (Written Testimony)
       
    4. Jim Rissmiller, Legislative Director, CDF Firefighters and Battalion Chief, San Bernardino County (Written Testimony)
       
    5. John Hamm, Chief Executive Officer, California Association of Highway Patrolmen (Written Testimony)
       

    Panel 3 – Schwarzenegger Administration Respondent

    1. Sandra Shewry,  Director, California Department of Health Services (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Richard Watson, Interim Director, Emergency Medical Services Authority (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Henry Renteria, Director, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Written Testimony)
       
    4. Major General Thomas W. Eres, Adjutant General, California National Guard (Written Testimony)
       
    5. Matthew R. Bettenhausen, Director, Office of Homeland Security (Written Testimony)
       

    Comments Submitted by Members of the Public

    • Lester Breslow, MD, MPH, Dean Emeritus, UCLA School of Public Health (Written Comments)
       
    • Peter Abbott, President, California Public Health Association-North and Kathleen Chamberlin, President, Southern California Public Health Association (Written Comments)
       
    • Carmen R. Nevarez, MD, MPH, Medical Director & VP of External Relations, Public Health Institute (Written Comments)
       
    • Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Written Comments)
May 26
2005
Emergency Preparedness Review
9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 112, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on Emergency Preparedness Review 
Thursday, May 26, 2005, at 9:00 a.m. 
State Capitol, Room 112 
Sacramento, CA


Opening Remarks

Panel 1 – Public Health Preparedness and Incorporation into Chain of Command

  1. Colonel Robert Kadlec, M.D., Staff Director, Subcommittee on Bioterrorism and Public Health, U. S. Senate, and  former National Security Council and White House Advisor  (Written Testimony, Attachment, PowerPoint Presentation)
     
  2. Alan P. Zelicoff, M.D., Senior Scientific Consultant, ARES Corporation and former senior scientist, Center for Arms Control and National Security, Sandia National Laboratories (Written Testimony, Attachment)
     
  3. Eric M. Koscove, M.D., Chief, Emergency Department, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, and bioterrorism lead, Kaiser National Healthcare Continuity Management Committee (Written Testimony)
     
  4. Richard J. Burton, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Department of Health and Human Services, Placer County; former President, California Conference of Local Health Officers (Written Testimony)
     
  5. Stephen Waterman, M.D., M.P.H., Quarantine Medical Officer and U.S.-Mexico Border Infectious Disease Coordinator (Written Testimony)
     
  6. Peter Abbott, M.D., M.P.H., President, California Public Health Association - North (Written Testimony)
     

Panel  2 – General Emergency Response Readiness

  1. Senator William Campbell, Chair, Governor’s Blue Ribbon Fire Commission (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Brigadier General (Retired) John E. Iffland, U.S. National Guard and Air Wing Commander, Federal Task Force – Wildfires (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Christopher A. Godley, Emergency Services Manager, Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (Written Testimony)
     
  4. Jim Rissmiller, Legislative Director, CDF Firefighters and Battalion Chief, San Bernardino County (Written Testimony)
     
  5. John Hamm, Chief Executive Officer, California Association of Highway Patrolmen (Written Testimony)
     

Panel 3 – Schwarzenegger Administration Respondent

  1. Sandra Shewry,  Director, California Department of Health Services (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Richard Watson, Interim Director, Emergency Medical Services Authority (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Henry Renteria, Director, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Written Testimony)
     
  4. Major General Thomas W. Eres, Adjutant General, California National Guard (Written Testimony)
     
  5. Matthew R. Bettenhausen, Director, Office of Homeland Security (Written Testimony)
     

Comments Submitted by Members of the Public

  • Lester Breslow, MD, MPH, Dean Emeritus, UCLA School of Public Health (Written Comments)
     
  • Peter Abbott, President, California Public Health Association-North and Kathleen Chamberlin, President, Southern California Public Health Association (Written Comments)
     
  • Carmen R. Nevarez, MD, MPH, Medical Director & VP of External Relations, Public Health Institute (Written Comments)
     
  • Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Written Comments)