Prepare Bullitt County
Pandemic Flu Summit
On April 19, 2006, a Pandemic Flu Summit, sponsored by the Bullitt County Health Department and the Kentucky Department of Public Health, was held at the Paroquet Springs Conference Center. Health, government, and school officials, emergency services, and local businesses, as well as concerned citizens, joined together to discuss community preparedness. This event was only part of a nationwide effort to educate and prepare our communities to respond to a pandemic flu outbreak.
Speakers included Dr. William Hacker, Commissioner for the Department of Public Health; Dr. Ruth Carrico, Assistant Professor at University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences; Rob Orkies, Chief of Zoneton Fire Department; Mike Phillips, Director of Bullitt County Emergency Medical Services; Cynthia G. Brown, Certified Health Education Specialist, Bullitt County Health Department; Bob Buege, Director of Pupil Personnel, Bullitt County Schools; and Brian Doheny, President / CEO of Jewish Medical Center South.
Information presented included the definition of and history of pandemics, update on the H5N1 Avian flu strain, and possible worst-case scenario of a pandemic, both through health concerns and economic effects.
Participants were given the chance to ask questions or make comments about their concerns. Although a Pandemic does not appear imminent at this time; response plans are being updated at the federal, state and local levels, and any business, government agency, faith based; community organization; individual, or family unit is encouraged to complete their own plan. Those interested can go to
www.bullittcountyhealthdept.com for more information and links to pandemic preparation.