HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03 March 25 PHAB Meeting Minutes“To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.”
MMIINNUUTTEESS
March 25, 2015
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Stan Owen, Deschutes County Health Services
Item
Facilitator Jock Pribnow, Chair
Meeting Coordinator Tom Kuhn
Scribe Lisa Michael
Next Meeting April 22, 2015 Health Services, Stan Owen
Agenda Items/Discussion/Motions
Topic and Lead
1
Introductions and Approval of February Meeting Minutes
The minutes were tabled until April due to lack of a quorum.
2
Brief Announcements & Unfinished Business
Jock mentioned that the Robert Wood Johnson health statistics were published in the Bend
Bulletin today.
Jock also noted that the DEQ will be holding a series of public forums in La Pine and
Sunriver to discuss options for the development of a sewer syste m in residential
neighborhoods outside of the city’s incorporated area.
Jock expressed his dismay in Senator Steiner-Hayward’s decision to drop her stance on
eliminating the nonmedical vaccine exemption.
Tom gave an update on HB 2546 regarding E-cigarettes. There was another public
hearing on March 23rd through the Senate to vote not only on prohibiting the sale of E-
cigarettes to minors, but also ban smoking E-cigarettes indoors in public places. Tom will
continue tracking this bill and update the Board on any progress. The BOCC addressed a
letter of support to Senator Knopp. Tom also mentioned that a public hearing was held on
March 9th to review HB 3100/SB 663 related to modernizing the governmental framework
for conducting public health activities.
Tom announced that Lorie Weber has resigned from the Board due to scheduling conflicts
at work. We now only have 10 members. Jock and Kim both mentioned they know of
possible candidates to join the Board.
Katrina mentioned that a new farmer’s market event will be starting up at Mountain View
High School from June 19th through August 21st on Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Deschutes County Health Services
Public Health Advisory Board
“To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.”
3
Crude Oil Train Emergencies
Will Akins from the Bend Fire Department spoke about the potential emergencies
surrounding trains transporting crude oil through town. So far, seven derailments in North
America occurred this year, with two here in the U.S. and five in Canada. The latest
incident happened just last month in West Virginia. A Canadian Pacific Railways train was
hauling 109 cars containing almost 30,000 gallons of Bakken crude oil in each car from
North Dakota to Virginia, while traveling at a speed of 33 mph, when more than two dozen
cars jumped the track. Fourteen of those caught on fire with one plunging into a nearby icy
river. Hundreds of residents were forced to evacuate for several days while crews began
clean-up efforts. Will said that from 1975 to 2012, over 800,000 gallons of crude oil had
spilled in the U.S. from rail car accidents. That number dramatically increased to more than
1.1 million gallons in one year alone in 2013 when two major incidents occurred, one in
Alabama and one in North Dakota. Authorities estimated that 1.5 million gallons were
spilled in Canada in the same year when a runaway train exploded killing 47 people. The
AAR estimates that 400,000 carloads of crude oil were shipped in 2013 carrying 11.5
billion gallons. One car can transport roughly 28,800 gallons. One barrel of gasoline holds
42 gallons and puts out 125,000 BTU’s while burning, whereas one barrel of Bakken puts
out 6.8 million BTU’s. Will noted that approximately 9500 cars will transport oil through
Central Oregon by the end of this year, while 265,000 will transport oil nationwide during
the same timeframe. Burlington Northern is the main carrier in this area and transports oil
from 17 different regions, mainly North Dakota and Montana. Will spoke about how difficult
it would be to coordinate agencies if a disaster of this magnitude were to take place here.
Residents living within a half mile radius or more of the incident would be required to
evacuate requiring mass assistance from emergency personnel. Will also mentioned that
the main causes of derailments are human error, operator fatigue, imp roper sealing of
cars, weather and security/sabotage matters. Railroad companies are partnering with local
fire departments to provide training on how to orchestrate personnel for when such an
occasion arises.
4
Health Services Director’s Report
Jane updated the Board on the status of the 2015 Strategic Plan. Our biggest
accomplishment this year includes becoming an accredited health facility through the
Public Health Accreditation Board, while other achievements include meeting measurable
objectives, including shared QIM’s, funding and BOCC measures, and meeting the
challenges of Medicaid expansion and health care reform. Why do we need to continue
improving then? In order to achieve measurable results that will enhance the physical and
mental health of our community, while increasing accountability and efficiency. It is also
imperative to continuously develop programs required to maintain accreditation status and
increase our credibility with the public, policy makers and partnering organizations. The
RHA/BHA, program assessments, BOCC performance metrics, QI plan and operational
supports are all current plans in need of some refinement that will eventually be linked
together. As part of the RHIP, a one year integrated management system has been
designed to define problems, priorities and outcomes that will not only identify core
activities and align work between different programs, but will assist in strategic budget
planning and management of the entire department. This system will be monitored
through regular evaluations and improvements will be made when necessary.
Jane spoke about personnel requirements and the need to increase hours for the Health
Officer. She has also requested an epidemiologist and a full-time suicide prevention
coordinator in the current year budget. Kim asked about a transportation piece to be
incorporated into the plan for better client access to health care. Jane noted that some
services will be reorganized.
“To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.”
5
2015 Health Heroes Award Nominations
Tom announced the Health Hero nominees for the individual and group awards. Since this
year only one individual and one group were nominated, Jock moved to approve the
nominees and the Board members present voted unanimously in favor.
6 Adjourn at 1:35 p.m.
Board Members Present: Jock Pribnow, Susan Keys, Katrina Wiest, Kim Curley
Reynolds, Keith Winsor
Staff Members Present: Tom Kuhn, Jane Smilie, Lisa Michael
Guest(s): Will Akins (Bend Fire), Brian Boyd (Bend Fire) and Tyson Jenson (Bend Fire),
MaCayla Claver (COHC)
DEQ – Dept. of Environmental Quality HB – House Bill
E(cigarettes) – Electronic BOCC – Board of County Commissioners
SB – Senate Bill AAR – Association of American Railroads
QIM – Quality Improvement Measures RHA – Regional Health Assessment
BHA – Behavioral Health Assessment QI – Quality Improvement
RHIP – Regional Health Improvement Plan COHC – Central Oregon Health Council