Mendocino National Forest

Mendocino National Forest FLT Agenda Item - October 19, 2006 Pandemic Response Planning Background for Discussion: Although no longer in the headline news, and although there were no positive results (as of last I saw) in migratory birds in Alaska, it is still a national priority to be prepared for pandemic conditions, whether they are of natural or terrorist origin. National and Regional USFS Pandemic Plans have been prepared. Federal, State and Local plans are also in various forms of preparedness.

Pandemic Response Planning is currently a “Back Burner Issue” but potential for a variety of emergency or pandemic conditions could rapidly impact public and employee Health, and threaten Continuation of Business as we know it.

What Has Been Done: Several USDA and USFS plans and resources have been developed. Additional local, state and national resources and plans have also been developed. Avian Pandemic information (from CDC) and the R5 Pandemic Response Plan have been posted to the FSWeb on the MNF.

- Several messages have been distributed to employees as part of a campaign to increase awareness of the serious nature of the potential for a pandemic health crisis, the role of personal hygiene in workforce protection and other strategies to reduce the risk of disease transmission. - Resources have been posted to the FSWeb on the topic. - An inventory of personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitizing agents has been purchased for the forest headquarters. - A binder of Pandemic Response Plans and Resources has been compiled and is at the Safety Officer’s desk. The same materials are available on CD. - The Forest Safety Officer will be making a presentation to the Forest Leadership Team in October to update the FLT on the final version of the Region's Pandemic Response Plan.

What Needs to Be Done: Our discussion might focus on prevention strategies, alternate working situations in the event of a pandemic, critical needs and activities and a review of preparations which can be made now. It might be worthwhile to identify a “working group” for further plans to ensure prevention and continuation of business in the event of catastrophic developments. - The educational process will continue with more information on personal and community health concerns, elements of pre-planning and other elements of the response plan. - A team will be identified to address the prevention measures, pre-planning and response to a pandemic. - An action plan with tasks, responsible individuals and target dates should be developed. - The topic of avian pandemic planning will be a topic at a Forest Safety Committee meeting and will be brought up as a way of implementing the plan at the District level. - Sample inventory lists of pandemic supplies will be provided to the districts to tier off the Supervisor's Office lead. - The forest will evaluate operations to identify critical functions and will adjust work schedules to accommodate fluctuations in numbers of personnel able to report for duty as conditions may warrant. - The forest will remain aware of Alert Level Stages and respond as per the Region 5 Plan and the Forest Service Influenza Workforce Protection Plan. -mc- on October 18, 2006