Governor Rell: Statewide Summit to Address H1N1 Preparedness for Municipalities

Municipal CEOs, First Responders to Attend September 10

Event at Connecticut Convention Center

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that a statewide summit to give municipal officials and medical professionals an update on the upcoming influenza season and the risks of the H1N1 or “swine” flu is set for September 10.

            “It is essential that we keep local leaders and medical professionals up-to-date on the risks of the coming flu season so that they know what to expect and how to help us keep people safe,” Governor Rell said. “This comprehensive summit will provide municipalities with guidance on how to effectively communicate with residents, how to keep emergency personnel healthy and an update on the state’s plan is to distribute the H1N1 vaccine once it becomes available.”

            The session for city and town leaders, local health officials and emergency medical services personnel will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

            The summit, sponsored by the Department of Public Health and the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, will address issues such as protective equipment for emergency personnel and crisis communication. Seating is limited and participants who are not yet registered can do so on-line at http://ct.train.org.

            Under Governor Rell’s leadership, Connecticut has worked for several years to refine and update its plans for dealing with pandemic illness. In July, the Governor today joined the Governors of Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Vermont and Wisconsin and members of the Obama Administration for a teleconference to discuss the lessons learned from the initial outbreak of H1N1 influenza and planning for the fall flu season.

            Since then, state agencies have held planning sessions with school superintendents in the state to discuss how to handle potential outbreaks of H1N1 and other illnesses this fall. The state has also begun coordinating physicians, visiting nurse associations and other medical agencies willing to participate in a statewide vaccination effort once the federal government makes the medication available.

            For more information on swine flu:

• Connecticut Flu Watch: www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch/swineflu
• Connecticut Department of Public Health: www.ct.gov/dph
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
• Call the state InfoLine at 211