First Posted: 3/13/2015
LIMA — The Allen County Health Board is on the fast track to apply for a grant that would help it put together an emergency plan for Ebola and other infectious diseases.
The Ohio Department of Health is distributing grants to local health departments to supplement their emergency plan. The grant is worth more than $20,000.
To receive the funds, however, the health board would need to turn in an initial plan and budget by next Monday.
Board member Wilfred Ellis pointed out his concerns with the time constraints, since they were just notified about the grant last week. However, Health Commissioner Kathy Luhn said they’ll have help from regional representatives and could look at other county’s existing plans for guidance.
County plans must include emergency transportation, a list of providers, memorandums of understandings including the roles and responsibilities of transport agencies, a description of public health in the transport process and a plan for waste management and consulting. Counties must also identify strategies, alternate housing and isolation plans, the involvement of local law enforcement and other logistics.
The final version of the plan must be in place and submitted by the end of August, beginning of September 2015.
The grant would last for 18 months.
