Pandemic Bird Flu Update from Dr. Sylvia Flack
Colleagues,
It has been awhile since we spoke about the Pandemic Bird Flu. However, the work continues. Congratulations on the fine work accomplished by the committee. We have received many accolades from our Chancellor and GA.
The following is an update related to tasks that have been completed since you received the last update on November 21, 2006:
- The Plan was presented to the BOT on December 8, 2006.
- Attorney Mitchell and I attended a meeting at GA on December 15th, for review of all 16 plans.
- The WSSU plan and the instructional presentation were placed on the Webpage in January.
- The educational phase was started in January by the Chancellor to be completed by March 5th. The Chancellors' statement to the Vice-Chancellors was, "I am charging the senior leadership to start the process with direct reports and establish a timeline for the completion of the process within their division. By March 1st all employees of the university should have (1) read the plan and reviewed the instructional presentation; (2) discussed the plan and the presentation in a meeting with peers and their supervisor; and (3) submitted a certificate-of-completion to the supervisor. At such time, each division head should submit a report to the Chancellor's Office certifying in writing that each employee in the division has gone through the process and has a certificate-of-completion on file." This process will follow the University's Chain-of-Command.
- On February 2, 2007 the Chancellor received a second letter of commendation from GA noting that our plan is excellent. A scanned copy has been attached.
- Louisa Thomas, Director of Health and Public Safety and I are working to determine when and where sanitizer dispensers will be placed in buildings. As information is finalized you will be notified.
- Posters depicting the significance of hand washing have been placed in all buildings on bulletin boards and in every dorm room. If your building did not receive posters, please inform me.
- February 22, 2007, the Educational Committee of the Bird Flu Preparedness Committee met and made plans to implement the Bird Flu Awareness Week. Further information will be sent to you as plans are finalized. The Committee selected March 26-30 for the implementation of "Awareness Week" (April 9-12 was selected as a backup date.)
There is still much work to be accomplished. Below is a list of tasks that we must accomplish in the next few weeks.
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Please check the list of essential personnel listed in the plan and send missing telephones and etc. for your positions. Essential Personnel is defined as those positions that perform a function that is absolutely essential to the continuation of university operations during the shut-down phase of an emergency.
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The remaining legal and HR issues will be addressed by HR, legal affairs, and me.
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Arrangements for a Table Drill are being completed.
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The training process for protective equipment is being considered by the Director of Health and Public Safety.
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Continuous review with the county plan to make sure we are compliant.
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Develop an organizational chart that clearly indicates the successor to each decision making position. This will be completed by the by the administration.
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The educational process for students including the plan must be considered.
Sylvia A. Flack
