TO:

Captain Christopher Bergold
CO Communications and Records Bureau

DATE:

06/11/09

FROM:

Suzanne K McBride
PSD 497
AME Police Emergency Unit President

COPY TO:

Cheryl Felice AME President, AME Police Emergency Unit Members : as needed

SUBJECT:

Health Concerns of 911 members based on recent world events.

I have recently had members inquire if the Department has a plan in place to handle any possible exposure by our members to swine flu.  In light of today’s news that the World Health Organization has raised the pandemic warning level to 6 the highest possible level we feel it would be prudent to insure that some measures are taken to protect not only the health of our members but also to insure the ability to continue to serve the needs of the public should there be an outbreak of swine flu at Police Headquarters. I am aware steps have been taken to insure the protection of officers such as changes to response procedures for fever and cough patients, and we feel it is imperative that this issue be addressed as it relates to our members. 

Our members have always been susceptible to frequent illness due to the close contact we have with each other sharing phones, chairs and desks and we feel during this period of high alert by the WHO regarding a pandemic it is essential that our members be provided with proper supplies to insure they be able to disinfect the work station before sitting down, and that more frequent and intense cleaning by the DPW staff be implemented not only in the work area but also in the bathroom facilities and other common areas. 

It has also been brought to my attention that there are many recommendations out by several health and government agencies as to how to plan for impact of a pandemic on your employees below is a small sample of items taken from the following web site http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/workplaceplanning/lawenforcement.pdf that should be considered:

Develop contingency plans for 30 – 40% employee absences. Keep in mind that absences may occur due to personal illness, family member illness, community mitigation measures, quarantines, school, childcare, or business closures, public transportation disruptions, or fear of exposure to ill individuals, as well as first responder, National Guard, or military reserve obligations.
As necessary, plan for cross-training employees, use of auxiliary personnel and recent retirees, recruiting temporary personnel during a crisis, or establishing flexible worksite options (e.g., telecommuting) and flexible work hours (e.g. staggered shifts) when appropriate.
Develop a reporting mechanism for employees to immediately report their own possible influenza illness during a pandemic (24/7).
Establish compensation and leave policies that strongly encourage ill workers to stay home until they are no longer contagious. During a pandemic, employees with influenza-like symptoms (such as fever accompanied by sore throat, muscle aches and cough) should not enter the worksite to keep from infecting other workers. Employees who have been exposed to someone with influenza, particularly ill members of their household, may also be asked to stay home and monitor their symptoms.
Employees who develop influenza-like symptoms while at the worksite should leave as soon as possible. Consult with State and local public health authorities regarding appropriate treatment for ill employees. Prepare policies that will address needed actions when an ill employee refuses to stay away from work. Federal agencies can consult guidance provided by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at www.opm.gov/pandemic.
Identify employees who may need to stay home if schools dismiss students and childcare programs close for a prolonged period of time (up to 12 weeks) during a severe pandemic. Advise employees not to bring their children to the workplace if childcare cannot be arranged. Plan for alternative staffing or staffing schedules on the basis of your identification of employees who may need to stay home.
Identify critical job functions and plan now for cross-training employees to cover those functions in case of prolonged absenteeism during a pandemic. Develop succession plans for each critical agency position to ensure the continued effective performance of your organization by identifying and training replacements for key people when necessary. These replacements should be integrated into employee development activities, and should include critical contracted services as well.
Develop policies that focus on preventing the spread of respiratory infections in the workplace. This policy might include social distancing practices, the promotion of respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, the creation of screening mechanisms for use during a pandemic to examine employees for fever or influenza symptoms, using the full range of available leave policies to facilitate staying home when ill or when a household member is ill, and appropriate attention to environmental hygiene and cleaning. (For more information see the www.pandemicflu.gov and http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/community/mitigation.html as well as OPM’s guidance at www.opm.gov/pandemic.)

One of our members has indicated to me she has done extensive research on ideas of how to best deal with this and other types of situations that would have a major negative effect on staffing of the Communications center.  I would be hopeful that we could work together to establish a plan, if one has not already been setup, to protect our members and in doing so also protect the public as the 911 system is the backbone of our public safety function.   
Your prompt consideration to this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Suzanne K. McBride
Suzanne K. McBride
PSD 497/AME Police Emergency Unit President
Cc: WR,MF,CF,DM,JP, AME Police Emergency Unit Membership