Information SharingInformation Sharing

Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H.Division of Public Health

Georgia Department of Human Resources

Georgia Public Health and Homeland Security

Information Sharing for Homeland Security Response

Information Sharing for Homeland Security Response

Public HealthHealth Care ProvidersLaw enforcementEmergency managementPublicMedia

External

InternalStateDistrictLocal

Georgia Public HealthGeorgia Public Health

State-based Public Health- State Office (Atlanta)- 19 Public Health Districts

159 County Boards of Health

1-12-0

4-0

10-0

5-2

5-1

8-2

3-43-1

3-2

3-5

3-3

9-3

7-0

1-2

6-0

9-1

8-1 9-2

Rockdale

Pre-2001 Communication InfrastructurePre-2001 Communication Infrastructure

- Georgia was an original INPHO state

- Connectivity between State and District offices only

- No systematic communication with any Homeland Security partners

“Internal” public health communication only

Pre-2001 information infrastructurePre-2001 information infrastructure

1

State Health Officer

Commissioner, DHR Governor’s Office

District Health Directors

DPH Epi

DPH Emergency Preparedness Team

CDC

District Epis

GPHLabDHR Risk

Communications

District Risk Communications

District Emergency

Coordinators

GEMADistrict/County PHLocal OfficialsLaw EnforcementEMSEMAHospitalsInfection Control

PractitionersEmergency RoomsCommunity Health

CentersLocal MDs

GA Information Sharing &

Analysis Center (GISAC)

EMAs

Office of Homeland Security

Media

Public Health Response Communication Chain

General Public

DeptAg

Homeland Security Agencies

Current Georgia Model

Homeland Security Task Force

William W. “Bill” Hichens, Jr.Director

Georgia Office of Homeland Security

Major GeneralDavid Poythress

Adjutant General of GeorgiaGeorgia Department of Defense

Mike SherbergerDirector

Georgia Emergency Management Agency

Lonice C. BarrettCommissioner

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H.Director

Division of Public HealthGeorgia Department of Human

Resources

Harold LinnekohlCommissioner

Georgia Departmentof Transportation

Frank V. RotondoExecutive Director

Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police

Sheriff Stanley Tuggle

Georgia Sheriffs’ Association

Chief Rebecca Denlinger

Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs

George A. EllisColonel/Commissioner

Georgia State Patrol

Vernon M. KeenanDirector

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Georgia Homeland Security Task ForceGeorgia Homeland Security Task Force

– Created October 2001

– Director of Public Health is full member

– PH representation on multi-disciplinary working groups

– Weekly Meetings with in-depth information sharing

GISAC (Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center)

GISAC (Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center)

– Co-located with the Atlanta FBI office

– Collects, evaluates, and disseminates intelligence and threat information

Department of Agriculture CoordinationDepartment of Agriculture Coordination

– Active member of Homeland Security Task Force and working groups

– Legislation – made animal diseases reportable– Reporting system for animal diseases, parallel to

Public Health system– Web-based disease reporting– Agriculture Information Sharing and Analysis

Center – notifications and access to secure web site– Training – including Ag inspectors of retail

establishments and food processing plants

Public Health Epidemiologic & Health Data Infrastructure

Public Health Epidemiologic & Health Data Infrastructure

– Strong State-based Epi Capacity– District Epidemiologists– District Emergency Preparedness Coordinators and

Specialists– District Risk Communicators– Public Health District Liaisons– Office of Health Information and Policy– “OASIS” – On-line Statistical Information System

SENDSS State Electronic Notifiable Diseases Surveillance SystemSENDSS State Electronic Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System

Communications about Public Health ThreatsCommunications about Public Health Threats

– 1-866-PUB-HLTH (PH, GEMA, Medical Community) 24/7 Toll-free Reporting

– Incident Reports (GEMA, GISAC, HLS)– Protocol Development for Response to Suspicious

Substances (FBI, GEMA, Lab, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness)

– Forensic Epidemiology Training with Law Enforcement