Thought it might be a good idea to gather all of the upcoming pandemic conferences on one thread. Might be easier for people to check here to see if any are available in their area. Also, if anyone attends, perhaps they could also report back on this thread.
NORTH CAROLINA
The Catawba County Chamber of Commerce and Alex Lee Inc. will host a national pandemic conference, “Pandemic: Preparing for the Unthinkable,” from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Sept. 13 at Tri-City Baptist Church, 1409 N.C. 16 N., Conover.
The conference will feature Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, associate director of the Department of Homeland Security’s National Center for Food Protection and Defense and professor of public health at the University of Minnesota….
…To register for the conference, call 828–328–6111 or go to www.catawbachamber.org and click on the link under calendar of events. The registration fee is $50 per person….
New York City
Pandemic Conference ‘Sept. 6 - FEW TICKETS REMAIN! With a week yet to go, less than 50 seats remain available for the ‘Prepared.Not Scared.ª’ Pandemic Flu conference that will be held in New York City, Wednesday, September 6, at NBC Headquarters. The program will focus on helping Tri-State area business leaders prepare for what many predict could be the worst disaster to ever strike the U.S. Leading corporate, governmental and education experts, including Dr. David Nabarro, the UN’s lead expert on influenza, will take part in this important training program. For reservations, contact Lisa Segall at (770) 973-SAFE or register online below.
New Jersey
Burlco to host forums on pandemic flu at http://tinyurl.com/fh6fe
Burlington County officials are holding six community forums aimed at helping residents understand and prepare for a possible outbreak of a bird flu or other flu pandemic…
The Sept. 7 forum will be at 7 p.m. at the Burlington County College Institute of Technology auditorium on Hawkins Road in Medford.
Other dates and sites:
Sept. 12 - Burlington County College gymnasium, Pemberton Township, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13 - Cinnaminson High School auditorium, 7 p.m..
Sept 14 - JFK Center auditorium, Willingboro, 10 a.m..
Sept. 19 - Burlington County College Enterprise Center, Mount Laurel, 7 p.m.
Sept. 21: Rutgers Eco-Complex auditorium, Mansfield, 2 p.m.
For directions or information, contact the county health department at (609) 265–5548 or BCHD@co.burlington.nj.us/.
Connecticut
Stamford Hospital will offer a free lecture to give area residents the opportunity to learn more about the avian flu.
Dr. Michael Parry, director of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, will present “Avian Flu: Are You Ready?” Attendees will learn about personal and family preparedness, as well as the local prospect for an outbreak.
The lecture will be held at Stamford Hospital’s Tully Health Center in the Brace Auditorium on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. A light dinner will be served so interested attendees are encouraged to pre-register by calling toll-free at 877–233-WELL [9355].
Pennsylvania
Sept. 13
SMC Business Councils — 9 a.m. to noon, Westinghouse Research & Technology Park, 1382 Beulah Road, Churchill. “Pandemic Influenza Preparedness.” Participants include representatives from the PA Department of Health, Allegheny County Health Department, and PA Emergency Management Agency. Cost is $35. Contact Lori at 412–371–1500, ext. 1603 or e-mail lori@smc.org.
There is also this one, linked from the Wiki’s main page Workshop: Ethical and Legal Considerations in Mitigating Pandemic Disease
“While infectious diseases remain the leading causes of morbidity and mortality on our planet, the general public does not appear to share this perception, especially in the shadow of equally scary but less likely risks such as a bioterrorist attack with aerosolized smallpox. Moreover, most people today are overly optimistic with regard to the means at our disposal to fend off global epidemics comparable to the “Black Death” of the 14th century or—on a lesser scale—the “Spanish Flu” of 1918/19 that killed or sickened an estimated 50 to 100 million people worldwide in a matter of 12 to 18 months. Particular attention has recently been paid to pandemic influenza due to the potential threat posed by H5N1 avian influenza as it continues its global spread from East to West. Although governments at all levels are beginning to formulate pandemic response plans, very little attention has been paid to examining the critical ethical and legal issues involved in implementing these plans.”
The Institute of Medicine’s Forum on Microbial Threats and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will host an international workshop on “Ethical and Legal Considerations in Mitigating Pandemic Disease” on September 19–20, 2006 in Conference Room A of PAHO headquarters, located at 525 23rd Street, NW in Washington, DC.
Ontario
Protecting your business from the coming influenza pandemic is the focus of an Industrial Accident Prevention Association a half-day seminar in Sault Ste. Marie, Sept. 18
Joan Burton, the IAPA’s health strategy manager, will host the morning workshop at the Holiday Inn.
The workshop will include topics on why infectious diseases are a workplace issue and how they can affect your business, theories of infectious disease transmission and what your business can do to plan for flu season to enable you to keep functioning during a health emergency.
The cost of the workshop is $128.25 plus GST. For details on the Pandemic Planning seminar and to register contact the IAPA at 1–800–406–4272.
Here’s one that we all (assuming our computers meet the basic requirements) can attend:
Pandemic Flu Preparedness: What Every Community Should Know September 29, 2006, 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET
You can read about it here: http://tinyurl.com/kbgft
If you follow the link you can click on “webcast” in the lefthand column. There you will find directions for how to access the webcast on Sept. 29.
I don’t think the one here is open to the public ~ I’m going to check ~ but I thought it was interesting that the big regional public health conference next month lists this as of its main goals:
“Public Health Preparedness Track with an emphasize current planning and preparedness, the goals and response of the DMORT team, emerging issues in zoonosis and enhancing public health infrastructure with the use of information technology for research and communication.”
Sounds like they’re finally gearing up here. DMORT teams are “Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams;” they’re preparing for the possibility of mass numbers of deaths. And I love the govt-speak “emerging issues in zoonosis,” lol. But at least they’re finally *doing* something (or at least talking about it!)
I’ll let you know more if it looks like it will go public.
Banshee, add this one to New Jersey, but it was RSVP and I think already filled (I got in by sending a request the day I saw the first notice).
Avian Flu - Pandemic Preparedness program on Wednesday, September 27, 8:30 - 12 Noon, in the Academic Center, One Medical Center Drive, Stratford, NJ
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Pennsylvania
Pandemic and Hazard Planning: Preparing for the Avian Flu by MidAtlantic Employers Association with Kevin Smith, division director, Bureau of Environmental Field Services and Bioterrorism Coordinator of the Montgomery County Department of Health, and Joseph Dimino, director of health, Montgomery County Department of Health. MEA Conference Center, 945 Trooper Rd, Valley Forge; 800–662–6238. Registration requested. $35 for members, $50 for nonmembers. 8:30–10 a.m. Sept 14.
Great work! As you can see, the environment is very different this year compared to last.
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“ Pandemic Flu-What your Business needs to know” All day seminar at Indian River community college-Fort Pierce Florida (southeast Florida ) on September 27th −9am −430 pm For info go to www.ircc.edu/ccti
STUART, FL (Martin County)
Indian River Community College will host an all-day seminar Sept. 27 on the “Pandemic Flu — What Your Business Needs to Know.”
The event, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will be in the Knight Center for Emerging Technologies on the school’s main campus.
For information and registration, call (888) 283–1177 or visit: www.ircc.edu/ccti.
Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy (CIDRAP) (University of Minnesota) will have a live 90-minute webinar on Sept. 15th. Dr. Osterholm (CIDRAP director), Donald Ainslie and Michael Evangelides (both pandemic preparedness leaders)will be discussing: Planning for Pandemic Influenza: Will Your Organization Be Prepared?
Excellent everyone!! If anyone attends these events see if you can get a transcript of what was said or at least take good notes. There are going to be some important decision makers at these events. I will attend the one in valley forge, I am eager to discuss bird flu for the first time with out being looked at like a crazy person.(read educated)
I reserved a spot for the talk in PA. I don’t know if this exists on here or not I looked but couldn’t find it; I think we could all use a list of questions or topics to ask the people in charge. What are the most important areas to be concerned with (power, NG, food supply…) Is there something beyond the obvious we should be asking about. I think off the top of my head, I could ask plenty of questions, this is more for people not as active on here as I am that could attend these seminars. Could someone add a link on here or something if this exists.
Annoyed Max - I may also attend the Valley Forge Conference, however it is my understanding that the report of the Pandemic planning Committee is being presented that morning to the Montco. Commissioners in Norristown. It is unclear if this is a preliminary report or a final report. It has taken a long time to prepare and I’m not sure how much general public input has been taken. I am aware that the township commissioners have not seen the report and yet it will be the township services, police, etc., that will have to carry it out. I believe the head of the County Health Department was the head player in developing the report, so I’m suprised he will be at the workshop, but maybe he will present first at 8:30 before running to the Norristown Commissioner’s meeting.
I also have registered for the Washington PAHO/National Academies AF Conference on September 19–20. It will be good to report back on both.
Bummer. The Sept. 15 CIDRAP webinar mentioned by EnoughAlready – at 03:13 — costs about $300.00.
welp, it is pricey.
HOWEVER, I know one husband who better be talking some serious $%^+ to his “organization” powers that be… or else there is gonna be an early, hard COLD front hit the deep south … oh, around Sept. 16th! Like I told DH… this is one man you folks better sit up and take a listen to. (AND… I know other wives in this particular “organization”… don’t make me start trouble.)
I talked to my husband about the Sept. 15 CIDRAP webinar and the “cost.” He said that because it was a “seminar/webnar” that you could have a room full of people in it for this cost. Which makes it reasonable. I am so excited that he already had checked into it, knowing this much! He listened to me!
Y’all, we want people like my husbands organization doing this… so be praying! He works for a prepared to respond branch of a major corporation involving the petroleum industry worldwide. Specifically, this means keeping gas moving… and we WANT that! Texas, NY, NJ and Florida… I can guarantee you that y’all will be represented on the day of the webnar, if they do this webnar.
Glad I read this thread and went searching for WV. I’m going to try to call tomorrow and ask for more info.
Mark your calendar!
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the CAMC Institute present the 2006 West Virginia Conference on Infectious Disease. The conference will be held Oct. 18–19 at the Charleston Marriott Town Center, 200 Lee St. E, Charleston, WV 25301. Keynote speaker for the conference will be Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH — Director Center for Infectious Disease and Research Policy and Author of Living Terrors. Dr. Osterholm will lecture Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. Reception and Book signing to follow 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, contact the CAMC community liasons at 304.345.9051 or by e-mail at communityliasons@camc.org.
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Hi Brunetti – at 13:34 — I will also be at the IOM / PAHO meeting on Sept 19–20 in D.C.
Lake Zurich Illinois Sept. 21 Flu Pandemic Planning meeting 7:00pm---Lake Zurich H.S.
Path Forward at 14:45 - Glad to know someone else will be there also. Hope we can meet up at some point. It will also be good to have two sets of ears, so that we both can comment when we post notes.
Annoyed Max-Not Mad Yet: Did you attend the Pandemic Meeting in Valley Forge on Tuesday morning? Can you give an update and tell me if Dr. Diminio presented the Montco Plan to the group? I believe the Commissioners are to receive it on Thursday.
Citizen Pandemic Planning at National Academy of Science, Oct 23, 2006
[Hello all. I just received this by email today (Sept 13). It will take place in Washington D.C. and is open to the public; pre-registration required. PF]
Dear Colleague:
You are cordially invited to attend the 16th Disasters Roundtable workshop: “Citizen Engagement in Emergency Planning for a Flu Pandemic” which will be held Monday, October 23, 2006 in room 100 of the National Academies Keck Center at 500 Fifth Street NW, Washington DC.
In consultation with the Institute of Medicine’s Board on Population Health (BPHP), the Disasters Roundtable will convene a one-day workshop to discuss public and citizen involvement in actions to prepare for a possible flu pandemic occurring in the United States. The workshop will feature invited presentations and discussions that are expected to:
Additional information will be available on our website at (http://dels.nas.edu/dr ).
Please feel free to forward this invitation to your colleagues who might be interested in attending. Attendance is free and open to the public, however registration is required. Registration opens at noon, Wednesday, September 20 (http://dels.nas.edu/dr/dr_reg.shtml) and closes October 19, 2006.
The Disasters Roundtable seeks to facilitate and enhance communication and the exchange of ideas among scientists, practitioners, and policymakers concerned with urgent and important issues related to natural, technological, and other disasters. Roundtable meetings are held three times a year in Washington, DC. Each meeting is an open forum focused on a specific topic or issue designated by the DR Steering Committee.
Kind Regards,
Byron Mason _____________________________
Byron Mason Program Associate Division on Earth and Life Studies 500 Fifth Street NW - Keck 711 Washington DC, 20001 Ph: 202–334–3511 Fax: 203–334–3362
The conference in valley forge is tomorrow the 14th as per their fax to me. I will let everyone know how it goes.
Annoyed Max-Sorry, got the dates confused. I look forward to you update.
Connecticut, September 21:
You are invited to a full day planning and networking conference:
“Role and Responsibility of Local Government and Business Leaders in Pre-Event Planning and Post-Event Recovery”
September 21, 2006
Central Connecticut State University Student Center, Alumni Complex 1615 Stanley Street, New Britain, CT
Who should attend? Public Health Officials, Chief Elected Officials, Business Leaders, Local and Regional Planners, Health Care and Human Service Providers, State Legislators, State Agency Representatives
For more information and to register, go to TrainConnecticut at https://ct.train.org
This program is sponsored by the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, Office of Policy and Management, Department of Public Health, and Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
Mary Pettigrew, Section Chief Connecticut Department of Public Health Planning Branch, State Health Planning 410 Capitol Avenue, MS#13PCW Hartford, CT 06134
Phone: (860) 509–7544 Fax: (860) 509–7160
Kudos to everyone for all the additional pandemic conferences listed. Sorry that I have not been more active. I have been in the middle of a move and without internet access for over ten days! If anyone attends the conferences, please give us a report.
Oops! That was me.
Maryland
Sept. 25, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., town hall meeting on “Seasonal, Avian and Pandemic Flu: What You Need to Know and How to be Prepared.” Courtney Conference Center, lower level, Tate Center, 305 Hospital Drive. 410–787–4940.
[Baltimore area.]
Wyoming
Sept. 20, from 11:30 a.m.−1 p.m., The Chamber will host a Pandemic Flu Seminar at the Best Western Ramkota. Admission to the seminar is free. [Casper]
Minnesota
Sept. 20
Meeting Professionals International, Minnesota Chapter, and North Central Business Travel Association Joint Meeting. Dr. Elizabeth McClure, medical director for the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center Emergency Preparedness Program, will speak on preparing for the threat of a global pandemic. 11 a.m.−1:30 p.m., Hilton Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Mall of America hotel, Bloomington. $60-$35. www.mnmpi.org.
Wyoming
Sherard, the department’s director and state health officer, will discuss “Pandemic Influenza, Past and Present,” Friday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. in the UW College of Agriculture auditorium. His free public talk is part of the annual Otis L. Hoy Memorial Seminar during Pharmacy Weekend. A reception follows Sherard’s presentation in the open area adjacent to Room 427 of the new Health Sciences Center.
In addition to Sherard’s presentation, the weekend also includes continuing education programs relating to pharmacists’ role in pandemic flu;
For more information about Pharmacy Weekend visit the UW School of Pharmacy Web site at www.uwyo.edu/pharmacy or call (307) 766–6120. For continuing education (CE) registration information for Pharmacy Weekend, visit the UW Conferences and Institutes Web site http://outreach.uwyo.edu/conferences/calendar for Pharmacy CE classes or call 1–877–733–3618, ext. 1.
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California
So Eden Medical Center is hosting a free forum Sept. 27 for people who want to beware and be prepared…Differences between various types of flu, the potential for an epidemic and how to prepare in case of an outbreak will be discussed during the 7 p.m. meeting at Eden Medical Center, 20103 Lake Chabot Road. [San Francisco area]
Call (510) 889–5078 or visit http://www.edenmedicalcenter.org to register for the forum and for information on other programs
California
The World Affairs Council will present a discussion about global bird flu, “An Inevitable Pandemic?” on Wed., Sept. 20 at the Westlake Village Inn. The event is open to the public.
A VIP reception begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by no host cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a talk by keynote presenter Dr. Michael Osterholm at 7 p.m.
Issues to be covered include: how bird flu differs from seasonal flu, who is at risk, possible vaccines, and how to prepare.
Osterholm is the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy and associate director for the Department of Homeland Security’s National Center.
Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks will address “State of the County Emergency Preparedness” and Ventura county Public Health Officer Robert Levin, MD, will discuss “The Role of Your Local Government During a Public Health Emergency.”
The event is $55 for members and $65 for non-members. For reservations call (805) 988–0784 or go to www.worldaffairscouncilvc.org.
[Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Oak Park, North Ranch area]
Wisconsin
October 12 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Surviving the Pandemic deals with pandemic preparedness for small and medium-sized businesses. Conference will be held at 8:15am to 4:45 pm at the Alliant Energy Center. To register, call 608–263–1672. Deadline to register is October 2. Experts will be available for interviews prior to and during the conference.
Comment: Please check the site as I was unable to copy information directly for this post. More information on the conference is there.
Toronto, Canada
News
TORONTO, Sept. 14 /CNW/ - Emergency 2006 will bring together three
professions of emergency medical care for a three-day educational conference
in Toronto. Physicians, nurses and paramedics from across Ontario will attend
the conference this weekend.
The goal of the conference is to share knowledge and experience and to
learn about new trends in emergency medical care and practice. Topics to be covered include pandemic flu planning, disaster management (weapons of mass destruction and chemical-biological-nuclear-radiological incidents), clinical research, stroke care, trauma care and pediatrics.
The conference will include lectures, workshops, hands on learning
stations, and presentations by keynote speakers…”
more… http://tinyurl.com/r3h8g
Turns out I could go to the Ethics workshop in DC too. Well, maybe not all of it, probably be in and out. Email me if you guys want to get together or something :-)
Massachusetts
The public is invited to the League of Women Voters of Belmont’s 2006 Fall Coffee. Stephen Zinner, M.D., chairman of the Department of Medicine at Mount Auburn Hospital, will discuss hospital preparations for avian flu in a presentation entitled “One Flu Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Zinner is the Charles S. Davidson Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and sub-specializes in infectious diseases.
The talk will be held Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Chenery Middle School Teacher’s Lounge. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Sue Pew at 617–489–0017. [Belmont]
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New Jersey
…To round out the discussion on the influenza threat, the library will host presentations Wednesday and Sept. 28, both at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday’s presentation will be given by Laura H. Kahn, an associate research scholar at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs’ Program in Science and Global Security. Dr. Kahn, who is also a member of the health commission, will discuss viruses, the origins of pandemics and how influenza spreads. On Sept. 28, the library will hold a panel discussion on how the community could prepare for a possible pandemic…
Illinois
Sept. 25
Pandemic flu panel: “An Ounce of Prevention Could Save Your Business: Dealing With a Flu Pandemic in the Workplace,” is a free half-day symposium hosted by the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. The talk is from 8 a.m. to noon at the UIC Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted St., Chicago. For more information or to register, visit www.flupandemicconference.com or call 312–996–8400.
Maine
LEWISTON - Health and emergency management officials will present a breakfast discussion for local businesses aimed at preparing for a possible outbreak of pandemic flu.
The seminar is scheduled from 7:30–9:30 a.m. Sept. 21 at the Lepage Conference Center, 99 Campus Ave.
Featured speakers include Joanne Potvin, director of the Androscoggin Unified Emergency Management Agency; Andrew Pelletier, epidemiologist with the Maine Department of Health; and Dr. Jon Torres, medical director of the occupational health service firm WorkMed.
Their talks will center on problems faced by the possible pandemic bird flu outbreaks, but will also consider other kinds of public health emergencies.
The breakfast is free of charge, but space is limited to the first 100 who register. To register, call 777–8758 or e-mail workmed@sochs.com .
Indiana
U.S. House of Representative Candidate to Give Talk at Wabash - David Sanders, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives for Indiana District 4, which includes all of Montgomery County, will visit Wabash College on Monday, September 18. He will make two public addresses. His first talk will be given to the Wabash Biology Society at 3:30 p.m. in Hays Hall, room 319. The talk will be on “Gene Therapy, Ebola Virus, and Pandemic Influenza.”
Comment: Gee, they lumped ebola and panflu into one talk…
I looked all over for the CIDRAP webinar today —anyone have a link?
Oregon
Most everybody knows about the common flu but few are familiar with pandemic flu. Learn what it is and what it means to you at the Pandemic Influenza Community Forum at 7 p.m., Sept. 21, in council chambers at Lake Oswego City Hall, 380 A Ave…The forum, hosted by the city of Lake Oswego, includes speakers from county health offices, the public health sector, emergency response agencies and from the Clackamas County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Participants will find out about planning and preparedness in case of future outbreaks, and learn what to do to limit or prevent exposure, as well as have an opportunity to ask questions.
This event is free, open to the public and no registration is necessary. For additional information, contact Lake Oswego Fire Chief Ed Wilson at 503–635–0275.
For general information about pandemic influenza, go to www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/states/oregon.html.
Ontario
Pandemic Communications Forum - Toronto, November 30 & December 1
International and national experts in pandemic communications will come together to present at the, “Pandemic Communications Forum,” in Toronto on November 30 & December 1 (early bird ends October 6). This forum is supported by the Healthcare Public Relations Association and CNW Group. It’s a must attend for healthcare and municipal communications professionals. The forum is fortunate to have Judy Brown, Vice President, Membership & Past President, Health Care Public Relations Association & Director Communications, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa as chair of the event.
Topics and speakers include:
- Influenza Pandemic: Global Planning and Risk Communications
Daniel Epstein, Pan American Health Organization/World Health
Organization (WHO)
- Canada Update: Canada’s Pandemic Communications Plan
Catherine Allison, Communications Executive, Public Health Agency of
Canada & Elaine Chatigny, Director General, Communications, Public
Health Agency of Canada
- Cross Border Communication - The Great Lakes Border Health Initiative
Richard Buck, Public Health Preparedness Program, New York State
Department of Health
- What do we do Now? Business Continuity in the Age of Pandemics
Graeme Jannaway
- Practical Strategies for Pandemic Communications Plans
Mark Dixon, Director, Public Affairs, Capital Health Edmonton
There is also an exciting interactive health media panel with Ian Caldwell of CTV News, Piya Chattopadhyay with CBC News and a print reporter to be announced.
Optional Post-Conference Workshops:
A. Communications Lessons Learned from SARS: How to Prepare for the Next
Crisis
David Davenport, Manager of Media Relations and Corporate Communications,
St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto
B. Media Relations 101: What to Do When an Emergency Hits
Cynthia Lockrey, Lockrey Communications
For a complete copy of the agenda please visit:
http://www.summersdirect.com/pdf/Pandemic_Communications_Forum.pdf
anonymous – at 16:31, I looked as well and the webinar link is gone. Perhaps they removed it after the webinar occured? Did find a number you can call to order a recording of the panflu webinar.
Please call KRM Customer Service to register or to inquire about the availability of recordings of this event. 800–775–7654 or 715–833–5426
California
THURSDAY, SEPT. 21
“Ready or Not: The Consequences of a Pandemic Flu” with Dr. Arthur Reingold, M.D. and disaster planning expert, at 7:30 p.m. at The College Preparatory School, 6100 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $12.50-$15. www.college-prep.org/livetalk [Berkeley]
Boston Mass. American Public Health Association (APHA) Convention 11/4 to 11/8/2006
A collegue on the local board of health who has her Ph.D. in nursing] will be presenting on 11/7/06 a 2 hour round table discussion the story of our local township’s board of health’s process to get pandemic education disseminated on a local level.
Her abstract included some of the obstacles and successes with presenting pandemic preparedness issues with local government.
BUMP - I am going to try and keep this thread near the top of the heap this week as there are quite a few panflu conferences coming up within the next week or so. I’ve really gotten a lot out of the reports posted by those who have attended some of these conferences. If you have an opportunity to attend any of these events, please do so. It really does help us understand where different areas are in terms of preparedness - and it helps you know how prepared your area is. Thanks!
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EMS Conference:
Vital Signs 2006 - October 19 - 22
Onondaga County Convention Center, Syracuse, NY
Many sessions covering pandemic flu, including this sample: ¡ Track E Realistic Pandemic Planning Katherine West, BSN, MSEd, CIC
“Local departments and cities must do their own thing to be prepared. But, the planning must be realistic. Letfs discuss where we are and what is workable. It is not going to be vaccine and antiviral! What is the New York Plan?”
ROCHESTER NY
From the Rocheter Democrat & Chronicle:
Somewhere in PAETEC Communications is a room filled with military food rations, bottled water, air mattresses, blankets, sheets, pillows and toiletries.
“We also have shower facilities in the building,” said Harry Noel, security manager. “So someone could live here for a given period of time. We could support a fair number of people in this building, actually.”
In fact, PAETEC has enough supplies to accommodate 30 to 40 workers stuck at the Perinton offices for about 30 days.
No, the telecommunications company isn’t readying for war. Well, not exactly, anyway.
PAETEC officials are merely preparing for a possible flu pandemic, making moves that have been urged by groups ranging from local and national chambers of commerce to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
<snip>
The Rochester Business Alliance will have a half-day pandemic flu readiness program at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the Riverside Convention Center. The cost is $50 per person. For more information or to register, e-mail Amy.Moyer@RBAlliance.com.
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PUBLIC NOTICE
Southeastern NH Public Health Emergencies Planning Team will be sponsoring a Regional Community Forum on Pandemic Preparedness on Monday September 18, 2006 from 6:00pm-7:00pm at the Derry Municipal Center
Plaistow is participating in regional pandemic planning with eight other towns; Atkinson, Danville, Derry, Hampstead, Londonderry, Salem, Sandown and Windham, the Southeastern NH Public Health Emergencies Planning Team.
bunp
Wisconsin
Free pandemic influenza program set at UW-FdL
Agnesian HealthCare, Aurora Health Care and the Fond du Lac County Health Department will hold a free pandemic influenza program from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac campus, 400 University Dr., in the LGI room.
The event, Pandemic Influenza: Nature’s Bioterrorism — What Businesses Should Know, will explain the difference between seasonal and pandemic influenza, and how it can affect businesses and employees.
Wisconsin Division of Public Health Research Scientist and Respiratory Illness Surveillance Coordinator Thomas Haupt will lead a discussion and guide individuals through new developments and preparedness strategies. He will discuss interruptions in child care, schools, elderly and medical service.
Haupt will also address how community services, such as fire and police, will be affected. In addition, business owners can learn how to plan for travel interruptions and absenteeism due to illness, death and workers taking off to care for family members.
The first 100 guests will receive special survival kits in a bottle. Business people also may pick up a planning guide. An informal question-and-answer period will follow the keynote speaker presentation. A continental breakfast is available.
Program co-sponsors include Sanofi Pasteur, Medimmune and Fond du Lac Area Businesses on Health.
For more information or to RSVP, call the Fond du Lac County Public Health Department at (920) 929–3085.
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Indiana
Several Perry County organizations will host a public meeting Thursday [Sept 21] to discuss how the community will cope with a future outbreak of influenza. The 90-minute forum begins at 7 p.m. at the Schergens Center in Tell City and will examine ways communities and families can prepare for a massive flu pandemic…Forum sponsors include the Perry County Health Department, Purdue University’s Perry County extension office, Perry County Memorial Hospital, the Perry County Emergency Management Agency, Perry County Emergency Medical Service, local law-enforcement agencies and the American Red Cross…
With that in mind the Red Cross invites you to a free informational meeting about being prepared for a pandemic. It`s on Saturday, September 30th at the American Red Cross office at 1800 South Harrison, in Amarillo from 10 to noon. To make a reservation call 376–6309. http://tinyurl.com/zfl3u
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California
LiveTalk at College Preparatory School — “Ready or Not: The Consequences of a Pandemic Flu,” 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21. With Arthur Reingold M.D., and disaster planning expert Mark Ghilarducci. Doors open at 7 p.m. The College Preparatory School, 6100 Broadway Oakland. $12.50 in advance; $15 at the door. Visit www.college-prep.org/livetalk.
at 15:06, Belmont, MA tonight - hey, looks interesting; found an article (can’t figure out the library protocols to show you) that back in spring, Dr. Zinner was saying, have a month’s worth of food and water, and some masks.
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Although a number of panflu conference dates have come and gone, there still are quite a few coming up in the next few weeks (and today!)in: Florida, New Jersey, West Virginia, DC, Connecticut, Maryland, California, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Illinois, Maine, Oregon, Ontario, New York, Indiana.
[States that are in bold letters are having panflu conferences TODAY.]
Florida
Area businesses are invited to learn how to survive a global outbreak of serious illness, at “Pandemic Flu: What Your Business Needs to Know” from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Indian River Community College Kight Center for Emerging Technologies at the main campus in Fort Pierce. The event will focus on the importance of a contingency plan, for businesses from small to large, and how to minimize the impact on the business. For information, call the IRCC Corporate and Community Training Institute at (888) 283–1177 or visit: at www.ircc.edu/ccti .
The gateway to Death Valley (Tecopa, California), will be having a Bird Flu meeting Sept 27th at 5 pm in the community center. Tecopa is a smaller then small dot in the road, and I am traveling 60 miles myself to go there to the meeting. Not many Fluwikiens out this way (Pahrump, Death Valley, Spring Valley, Shoshone) but hope it picks up some. Most likely will be more snow birds there than full time living folks. Anything helps though.
Chamber to host forum on preparing for a major disaster or flu pandemic Health experts will brief businesses on being prepared for a major disaster or flu pandemic on Friday, Oct. 6, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Dr. Jonathon Fielding, director of public health for the L.A. County and Dr. Lucile Jones, seismologist-in-charge at the US Geological Survey, will discuss how to analyze a company’s vulnerabilities, updating human resource policies and understanding threats facing the region. Register now for the free seminar or for more information, contact Director of Public Policy Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568 or sgarrison@lachamber.org.
California
Half-day summit will focus on how schools can handle a pandemic
San Benito County is taking the threat of a pandemic flu seriously…The workshop will be Oct. 12 at the Hollister School District office. It includes a lecture on pandemic influenza, a talk about San Benito’s preparation and practice scenarios. Though the focus will be on schools with K-12 students, the information will be valuable to preschool and college level as well. Those encouraged to attend include school nurses, business office representatives, human resource staff and district-level staff.
Contact the Public Health Division at 831–637–5367 or the County Office of Education at 831–637–5393 for more information. Registration is open until Oct. 6 and spots are limited.
Wisconsin
Businesses plan for worst-case scenario
It pays to be ready for the worst-case scenario this flu season, says Kelly Coles, vice president of operations for Tosca Ltd., Green Bay.
[snip]
Tosca — which manufactures and services returnable containers for the cheese, beer and produce industries — developed its own business plan in the event of a pandemic with suggestions from its team of employees, Coles said.
[snip]
Tosca will be one of two Wisconsin companies to share its business plan on Oct. 24 at a Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce seminar called Pandemic Planning for Business.
“We rely on individuals and businesses to help themselves,” said Brown County emergency director Cullen Peltier. “The more prepared citizens and businesses are, the easier it will be to coordinate resources.”
About 175 people may attend the seminar. Peltier said he’s been getting lots of calls requesting pandemic planning.
[snip]
The program will offer participants:
Information on pandemic influenza by local and state health officials. Business continuity plans developed by two Wisconsin businesses, Johnson Controls and Tosca Ltd. Personal preparedness recommendations to protect employee health.
Re-post from the news thread. Hat tip to Monotreme.
Rhode Island
Free Program Offered On Influenza Outbreak
The Westerly Hospital will host a free community awareness program to present its plan for coordinating patient health care in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 3 and 5 in the Henry J. Nardone Conference Center at the hospital.
Information will also be presented on how individuals can protect themselves and their families in an outbreak.
The program will be led by nurse Debra Johnson, the hospital’s infection control coordinator.
Re-post from the news thread. Hat tip to Monotreme.
New Jersey
Café provides opportunity for scientific inquiry
PRINCETON TOWNSHIP — The Princeton Senior Resource Center will host its first Science Café 2 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Suzanne Patterson Building. The topic will be “The Pandemic Influenza Threat” and the guest speaker will be David Henry from the Princeton Regional Health Department.
[snip]
In preparation for the first session, attendees are encouraged to attend the lecture series offered at the Princeton Public Library this month.
For more information, call the Princeton Senior Resource Center at (609) 924–7108.
Re-post from the news thread. Hat tip to Monotreme.
http://www.homelanddefensejournal.com/hdl/conf_fluworkshop.htm Pandemic Influenza: Principles and Techniques for Communicating Effectively in High Stress and High Concern Situations
October 10, 2006 Sheraton National, Arlington, VA
Don’t miss our Preparing for Pandemic Influenza Conference on October 11–12, 2006, register for both events and save $100
Registration / Coffee and Pastries: 8:00 AM, Program Starts: 8:30 AM, Wrap-up: 3:30 PM
About This Workshop
Much has been accomplished in the area of emergency preparedness since 9/11, yet we continue to fall behind when it comes to integrating and executing public risk communications and operations functions in a crisis or emergency. Given the potential threat of a pandemic influenza outbreak, organizations and individuals should be especially prepared to communicate effectively to multiple audiences before, during and after an outbreak. This one-day training workshop - which will take place one day prior to the Pandemic Influenza Conference - will help individuals and organizations prepare for such an event by focusing on specific challenges and solutions for integrating risk and crisis communications and operational response.
What You Will Learn
How to Create an Effective Risk Communication Strategy and Program How to Develop Effective Risk Communication Messages Risk Communication Tools and Techniques Methods/Means for Effective Risk Communication Outreach Verbal and Non-Verbal Risk and Crisis Communication Skills How to Communicate Effectively with Hostile or Angry Individuals and Groups How to Work with the Media in High Concern/High Stress Situations Strategies for Communicating Effectively with Hostile Individuals and Groups Exercises, Practice, Role Playing, and Simulations in Risk and Crisis Communication A Homeland Defense Journal “Certificate of Completion” will be provided to all attendees upon conclusion of the workshop.
Who Should Attend Representatives from all public and private sector agencies and organizations dealing with human health and animal health issues as it relates to pandemic and avian influenza communications Executives, including communicators and operations managers, from industries including travel and tourism, health care, transportation, and many more City, County, State and Federal Emergency Planners and Public Health Professionals Federal Partner Agencies and their personnel who are involved with the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Hospital and Healthcare Administrators, CEO’s and COO’s, and communications professionals and executives in public health and health care organizations Hospital-based Disaster and Emergency Planners and Healthcare Providers, including doctors, nurses, Paramedics and EMT’s, and allied health professionals Early Registrants Include:
Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts, Special Reports Advisor Air Force Pentagon, Deputy HAF Continuity Anderson Health Department, Public Health Director BAE Systems, Director, Business Continuity CapitalOne, Manager, Enterprise Business Continuity Carnival Cruise Lines/DHS, Director of Medical Operations Center for Risk Communication, Founder & Director City of West Haven, CT, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator City of Winter Park, FL, Fire Chief Compressus, Inc., Vice President & General Manager of Vigilent Compressus, Inc., Vigilent Project Manager Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Occupational Health, Director Clinical Operations DHHS/OS/OCG, Attorney Dupont Hospital for Children, Infection Control Coordinator FDA, Branch Chief FDA Center for Drug Evaluation, Associate Director for Regulatory Affairs FDA Center for Drug Evaluation, Associate Director, Emergency Risk Communication FDA Center for Drug Evaluation, Office Director Federal Reserve Board, Supervisory Media Relations Specialist Food and Drug Administration, Nurse/Consultant Food and Drug Administration, Senior Associate Director Foundation Coal Corporation, Sr. Communications Specialist Gannett Fleming, Inc., Vice President Georgia Dental Association, Associate Executive Director GlaxoSmithKline, National Account Manager Hammond, Indiana Fire Department, Chief of Emergency Medical Services Idaho National Laboratory, Division Director, Emergency Services Joint Task Force Civil Support, Directorate of Public Affairs Klamath County, Oregon Public Health, Director Latah County, Idaho Maden Technologies, Benefits and Compensation Manager Maden Technologies, Director, Human Resources and Services Maden Technologies, Facilities Manager Madison, Co., MO Health Department, Administrator Madison, Co., MO, Community Health Nurse III Martin, Blanck & Associates, Senior Partner Michigan Department of Education Military Vaccine Agency (MILVAX), Senior Communications Analyst NASA Johnson Space Center, Associate Director, Business & Institutional Management Office NASA Johnson Space Center, Health Systems Specialist NASA Kennedy Space Center, Assistant to the CHMO National Institutes of Health, Work Life Center Manager National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Chief, Office of Workforce Relations National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Deputy Executive Director NIEHS National Clearinghouse, Research Associate Office of Personnel Management, Chief, Emergency Actions Group
OSD/Health Affairs, Colonel
Otsego County, New York Department of Health, Public Health Director Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Editor, Public Information Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Public Information Officer Pearson Government Solutions, Director Roche Laboratories, Inc. SAMHSA, Public Health Analyst Sedgwick Co., Kansas Health Department, Public Health Emergency Management Coordinator Stanton Communications, Account Manager St. Cloud Hospital/CentraCare Health System, Director of Communications St. Mary’s Health System, Regional Infection Control Leader St. Mary’s Medical Center, Clinical Leader, Emergency Department Teller Co., Colorado Public Health, Director Tennessee Department of Safety - Tennessee Highway Patrol, Captain Tennessee Department of Safety - Tennessee Highway Patrol, Lieutenant Texas National Guard, Public Affair Officer Tulane University School of Public Health, Research Assistant Professor U.S. Army, Community & Family Support Center, Program Analyst US Census Bureau, Safety and Health Manager US Department of Education, Director US Department of Energy, Public Affairs Specialist US Department of Health & Human Services - ACF, Director of Emergency Preparedness & Response US Department of Health & Human Services - ACF, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary US Department of Treasury - Financial Management Service, Director, Program Integrity Division US Department of Treasury - Financial Management Service, Security Specialist US Department of Veterans Affairs, Director, Public Health Communications US Department of Veterans Affairs, Public Affairs Writer US Department of Veterans Affairs, Senior Program Manager United Way of America, Manager Crisis Management University of California Davis Health Systems, Nurse Epidemiologist University of Memphis, Medical Director US Army, Product Manager USDA-AMS, Emergency/Disaster Management Specialist Washington State Department of Health, Communication Systems Manager Western Racine County Health Department, Director/Health Officer Widmeyer Communications, Senior Vice President & Group Director Will County, IL Health Department, Emergency Response Coordinator World Bank, Communications Officer World Bank, Security Specialist Wright Solutions/US DOT, Medical Regulations Consultant Wyandotte County, Kansas Public Health Department, Public Health Planner- CRI
New York
Oct. 4
The Western New York Chapter of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, luncheon meeting, noon to 1:30 p.m., Chef’s Restaurant, 291 Seneca St. Program: Business Continuity and Pandemic Considerations, presented by Matthew Speare, M&T Bank Corp. Cost: $20, members; $25, nonmembers; $10, students. Make checks payable to the IIA WNY Chapter. Reservations, e-mail: Jim Kist, James.Kist@gmail.com. (Buffalo)
South Carolina
Tuesday, Sept. 26
6 p.m. Woodruff Library, “What You Should Know About Avian (Bird) Flu.” Pat Elliott of the American Red Cross will give information about the possible bird flu pandemic and how to prepare for such an emergency. Call 476–8770. (Spartanburg)
Maryland
(Catonsville)
St. Agnes Hospital will host business, community, church and school leaders at a roundtable next month on emergency response planning for a pandemic influenza outbreak.
Several hundred people have been invited to the event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 6 in the hospital’s Alagia Auditorium. The hospital is located at 900 Caton Ave….
…The roundtable’s panel includes Dr. Christa-Marie Singleton, chief medical program director with Baltimore City’s Office of Public Health Preparedness; John Schaefer, assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University, associate director for health, safety and environment; Jennifer Noppenberger, a registered nurse and director of infection control and emergency preparedness at St. Agnes Hospital; Dr. Adrian Long of St. Agnes Hospital; and Jennifer Thomas, clinical pharmacist, St. Agnes Hospital.
St. Agnes will host a separate event in November on what individuals can do to protect themselves from a pandemic outbreak, Creighton said.
No date for that has been set.
Minnesota
Tuesday, Sept 26.
Business pandemic planning and recovery: Business challenges and preparation. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 1650 W. 82nd St., suite 600, Bloomington. For fee information, call 952–831–2707. Sponsor: Minnesota Society of CPAs. Open to all.
Ontario
Saugeen Shores has plans in place for a pandemic and want to share that information. There’s a public meeting set for October 18th at The Plex in Port Elgin. Saugeen Shores Mayor Mark Kraemer says they’ve already done plenty of table top exercises but are now working with the Grey Bruce Health Unit to get the word out community wide.
Missouri
WARRENSBURG, Mo. — Want to learn more about pandemic flu and what communities are doing to be prepared? Then take advantage of a national live satellite broadcast and webcast 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, ‘Sept. 29, in Wood 19 on the University of Central Missouri campus.
The free program is sponsored by the national Institute for Rural Emergency Management in collaboration with Public Health Grand Rounds, a national program which seeks to increase awareness of the local, state and federal response to influenza and steps communities should take to prepare…
…Registration is available online…
…Individuals with questions should contact Dianna Bryant, associate professor of safety sciences, at 660–543–4971…
Comment: As this is a webcast, it may be available in other areas.
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NEWS - From Promed - Preliminary Program for IMED 2007 Meeting - http://tinyurl.com/kzupz
Confirmed Speakers:
Dr David L. Heymann - Acting Assistant Director-General for Communicable Diseases and Representative of the Director-General for Pandemic Influenza and the Representative of the Director-General for Polio Eradication at the World Health Organization (WHO)
Dr Adriano Duse - NHLS and School of Pathology of the University of Witwatersrand
Clinical Microbiology & ID, Johannesburg, South Africa
Dr Antoine Flahault - Professor, University Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris
Dr Daniel Lucey - Adjunct Professor, Georgetown Program Threat Agents and Emerging
Infectious Diseases
The meeting will embrace the “One Medicine” concept, recognizing that just as diseases reach across national boundaries, so do they cross species barriers. We therefore welcome the full participation of both the human and animal health communities.
Please see some of the elements of the program:
Session 2: Animal Reservoirs for Emerging Pathogens
and
Session 2: Outbreak Control: What Do We Need Besides Good Luck?
and
Session 2: Detection, Surveillance and Control of Emerging Diseases in Wildlife
and
Session 1: Balancing Science, Surveillance and Society: Who Needs to Know What and When
Session 2: Vaccines Against Emerging Diseases
Oklahoma
Daniel Boatright, public health practice associate dean at the University of OklahomaHealth Sciences Center, will give a free lecture titled, “Pandemic Flu and Preparing Public Health for Disasters” at 2 p.m., Oct. 12, in room CU1.
He said he will lecture on the difference between a pandemic and outbreak…Cowen said the lecture also will touch on what individuals can do to prepare themselves for a pandemic, as well as what to do if one occurs…
Help! Has this thread been closed and a new one opened with more recent posts?
I could swear I had seen something about anon_22 coming to speak in Great Barrington MA this week but I can’t find the info….
yes, there’s an october thread.
Closed to maintain server speed