PREPAREDNESS 101: SURVIVAL BASICS FOR A NEW AGE

Is New Jersey better prepared to respond to potential bioterrorist attacks than it was two years ago? The answer is yes.

The federal government’s allocation of funds to the CDC for distribution to each State Department of Health and Senior Services has yielded definite results for New Jersey. "Each state had to submit a work plan to the CDC outlining how the funding would be utilized," explains Leah Ziskin, MD, MS, associate dean of the UMDNJ-School of Public Health (SPH). A team composed of faculty from SPH and Rutgers University prepared and submitted New Jersey’s plan.

Subsequently, UMDNJ was awarded $1 million to train the public health workforce on terrorism preparedness. A needs assessment was distributed to state and local health workers to guide in the development of course content.

"The $1 million was allocated to several departments within UMDNJ including the Center for Biodefense, Urban and Community Development, and Continuing Education," explains Ziskin. Money was also appropriated to SPH and Rutgers, as well as various state agencies.

An important tool for this implementation team is LINCS–Local Information Network and Communications System. Launched in 1997, it provides an electronic network for sharing health information among the CDC, the N.J. Department of Health and Senior Services, local health departments, healthcare providers and emergency responders. "Utilizing the system makes the task of providing educational activities for 114 separate health departments more manageable," says Ziskin.