Julia Gore, public-health emergency preparedness coordinator at Missoula Public Health, told the LEPC on Oct. 14 that the Access and Functional Needs (AFN) subcommittee met recently and that the agency continues to coordinate care and planning for populations with specific needs.

Key AFN and public-health items

- AFN work: The state offered a G197 ICS course focused on access and functional needs; Gore said she hopes to bring that training to Missoula.
- Brain-health initiative: The AFN group heard from Christie Scheel of Missoula Public Health about a program focused on aging and dementia as a public-health concern.
- Heat and vector-borne updates: The county reported an uptick in vector-borne disease cases this summer, including one West Nile case and a fatal Rocky Mountain spotted fever case. Missoula Public Health increased testing for HIV and hepatitis C at service sites following the closure of a local testing site.
- Strep A investigation: Public Health and the CDC are investigating a larger streptococcal A outbreak in the community; CDC assistance was described as part of the response.
- Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) tabletop: Missoula Public Health will host a DPHHS-led HPAI tabletop on Dec. 15 targeting healthcare and agricultural stakeholders; partner participation was invited.

Why it matters

Gore said AFN integration into alerting and dispatch systems and attention to vulnerable populations are priorities; HPAI and vector-borne disease tabletop exercises and investigations are intended to refine response and laboratory workflows.

Contacts and next steps

Gore asked partners to contact her for involvement in the Dec. 15 HPAI tabletop and noted that the AFN committee expects to invite 911 dispatch and the regional alert vendor (Rave) to discuss accessibility features.