STRATEGIC PLAN - ASPE - U.S. Department of Health and Human ...

CHAPTER 3: Public Health Promotion and Protection, Disease Prevention,and Emergency Preparednesstraining. HHS has identified the logistical supportneeds for these teams and has developed specific tasksfor meeting these logistical needs. Examples of theseneeds include medical supplies, equipment, housing,and food requirements.This activity builds upon the transformationactivities of the Commissioned Corps of the USPHS(Commissioned Corps). The Commissioned Corpsprovides a unique source of well-trained, highlyqualified, dedicated public health professionals whoare available to respond rapidly to urgent publichealth challenges and health care emergencies.The Commissioned Corps’ response to HurricaneKatrina is a powerful example of what its officerscan do. In response to Hurricane Katrina, theCommissioned Corps deployed more than 2,000officers—the largest deployment in its history—andstill has personnel in the field providing care inLouisiana today. The transformation will facilitateforce management improvements that are necessaryfor the Commissioned Corps to function even moreefficiently and effectively. The current activity usingrosters is aimed at structuring officers into teams,and then training them as a team. This approachdefines clarity of roles and expectations, and assuresthat leadership and management of the officers in thedeployed situation are well understood and their rolesare executable.These teams will interface with the DisasterMedical Assistance Teams (DMATs) fielded underthe National Disaster Medical System (NDMS).The greatest utility of the DMATs is in immediateemergency response, and they are considered theinitial responders for emergency medical needsduring the first 72 hours after an event. HHSand other Federal agencies will be responsiblefor the other requirements in the continuum ofhealth needs, including some aspects of healthservices delivery during evacuation, hospital care,low-intensity facility-based care for populationswith special needs (such as chronic diseases anddisability), and other health outreach activities.Threat Agent IdentificationCDC and FDA will continue to develop and supportlaboratory capacity expansion to improve analysisof biological or toxic substances that uses validated,proven methods for different sample matrices.CDC and FDA will also support the developmentand validation of laboratory methods for prioritybiological and toxic substances through theLaboratory Response Network.Emergency PreparednessHHS administers two major grant programs thatsupport State and local capacities, as well ascapabilities to prepare for and respond to public healthemergencies. Over the next 5 years, these programs willshift dramatically, from a focus on capacity building toimproving targeted capabilities.ASPR administers the National Bioterrorism HospitalPreparedness Program, which, through States, enhancesthe ability of the health care system, includinghospitals, to prepare for and respond to bioterrorismand other public health emergencies. Program priorityareas over the next 5 years include improving bed andpersonnel surge capacity, decontamination capabilities,isolation capacity, and pharmaceutical supplies, as wellas supporting training, education, drills, and exercises.CDC administers the Public Health Emergency PreparednessCooperative Agreement Program, which provides fundsto States and localities for State and community-levelpreparedness. Over the next 5 years, HHS will placeincreased emphasis on achieving benchmarks andstandards for preparedness by recipients of both fundingstreams as required by PAHPA.CountermeasuresHHS, through all of its operating divisions, seeksto shape and execute a comprehensive medicalcountermeasures program to protect our citizensagainst the threats of today and into the future. Thismission encompasses the breadth of activities requiredto accomplish that goal, including threat agentmonitoring and disease surveillance and detection,as well as research, development, acquisition,HHS Strategic Plan FY 2007-201277