Councilmembers listen to a panel discuss how their agencies will continue to operate in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak. The panel members are (l-r) Caroline Whalen, King County Executive's Office, Cathryn Rice with Metro Transit, Alaric Bien, Executive Director of the Chinese Information and Service Center and Annie Searle with Washington Mutual Bank

“It’s not just viruses that spread quickly—it’s the fears and rumors that come with the virus,” said Alaric Bien, Executive Director of the Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC). Bien told the audience at Auburn’s Emerald Downs Racetrack that in order to continue providing vital social services, agencies must also have plans in place to ensure providers and clients have timely, factual information in the event of a pandemic. More then seven percent of the workforce is employed by non-profit organizations and many more rely on the services these agencies provide. Bien stressed that agencies must have a plan for how they will continue to provide services if there is a catastrophic event.

“We know we can save lives by coordinating with local governments and community partners should we be plagued by a pandemic flu attack,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips. “What the Town Hall panels gave us was a blueprint on how services will be delivered during a pandemic flu in a way to protect workers and public services.”

“The meeting reinforced information that health agencies have been telling the public since the news of the potential pandemic became widespread,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, whose district hosted the Town Hall. “It was also good to hear how the public and private sector are preparing to continue operating the vital services needed during a pandemic.”

At the Town Hall, the public and Councilmembers received an overview of the plans being prepared by governments on a local, regional, state and federal level to combat the possible impacts an influenza pandemic would have on daily life. The final panel focused on three separate agencies that serve the public and how they are preparing to continue operating in the event of a pandemic.

Cathryn Rice with Metro Transit said for the 12 percent of bus riders who have no other means of transportation, there are already plans being developed to run a reduced bus schedule if pandemic flu causes large numbers of bus drivers and support staff to be unavailable for work. The two plans would be similar to the bus service that runs on weekends with a focus on adding service during commuter hours.

Bien said because of the 2003 SARS epidemic in Asia, the CISC has already considered some of the questions that agencies must answer as they prepare to work with clients during an outbreak. “What do we need to focus on and what will we need to shut down? How do we ensure that clients will still be able to access services if they can’t come to the office? What is our line of succession and how will this outbreak impact our sick leave policies as employees stay home to take care of family and relatives?” Bien told the audience the CISC is already has in place plans to expand telecommuting for both clients and staff in the event of an outbreak.

Annie Searle with Washington Mutual Bank said the company learned from prior disasters that having access to money is vital during a catastrophic event. She said the bank formed a Bird Flu Task Force late last year and is working on contingency plans such as regional banking centers to ensure that individuals will have the ability to survive financially during a possible pandemic flu.

The public and Councilmembers were also reminded by Public Health—Seattle and King County and King County’s Office of Emergency Management that the best weapon in reducing the possible impact of an influenza pandemic is preparation. Dr. Jeff Duchin, Chief of Communicable Disease Control for Public Health joked that there is “nothing more determined than poultry with a plan,” and that thwarting those plans can be as simple as washing your hands after sneezing.

The Council is in the final stages of reviewing the King County Pandemic Influenza Response Plan, a coordinated regional response that will involve government, health care providers, schools, business, and the public. The Plan has three interrelated components that respond to the County’s roles as regional emergency preparedness/public health provider, government service provider, and large employer:

1. The Public Health Pandemic Influenza Response Plan outlines the roles, responsibilities and activities of Public Health – Seattle & King County and the county’s regional partners in responding to and preparing our community for the pandemic flu.

2. The King County Continuity of Operations Plan focuses on the roles, responsibilities, and activities of each King County department to assure the continuity of essential government services such as wastewater treatment, solid waste disposal, transit, and criminal justices and human services during a pandemic.

3. The Human Resources Division Pandemic Influenza Emergency Response Manual provides staffing strategies, tools, advice and directives for departments to follow during a pandemic influenza emergency to ensure employees are protected and essential services can be delivered.

The Town Hall meetings are part of Councilmembers’ initiative to “get out of the courthouse” and into the communities they serve, in order to enhance local representation on regional issues. Town Halls in 2006 have examined regional transportation, disparities in public health, new technologies used by law enforcement to protect our communities and the regional response to global warming. Each Town Hall is a special meeting of the Council’s Committee-of-the-Whole, the only standing committee on which all 9 members serve. It considers complex legislation and policy issues of interest to the entire council.

The next County Council Town Hall will be on September 25.