Regional Coordination   at work
  Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board                 psrc.org
 
              September 22, 2005

The Executive Board heard a presentation from public health officials on a potential influenza pandemic and what local leaders need to know to get prepared.

Influenza pandemics are inevitable and occur throughout history at regular intervals. Outbreaks will occur simultaneously in many areas. Effects will last for weeks to months and can disproportionately affect younger people.

There is a current outbreak of avian influenza in Asia, with at least 114 confirmed human deaths in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia since December 2003. This outbreak has influenza experts concerned that a pandemic is developing that may be severe. Humans have no pre-existing immunity to this virus.

Pandemic influenza in the United States could result in:

  • Up to 200 million people infected
  • 40-90 million clinically ill
  • 18-42 million outpatient medical visits
  • 314,000-733,000 people hospitalized
  • 89,000-207,000 deaths

    Key components of pandemic preparedness:

  • Focus on health care delivery system response and building "surge" capacity to handle large numbers of ill people.
  • Support business continuity planning, including prioritizing critical functions of life, health and safety, planning for alternative work schedules and large-scale telecommuting, and building staff depth through cross training to cover critical positions.
  • Keep government leaders informed.
  • Conduct training and exercises.

    More information is available on the Seattle & King County Public Health Web site, http://www.metrokc.gov/health/index.htm.

    The Executive Board approved a routine amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), moving 14 projects forward.

    The projects are sponsored by Mercer Island, Sumner, Tacoma, Mountlake Terrace, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.

    For more information contact Larry Burris at 206-464-5301, lburris@psrc.org.

    The Executive Board authorized a contract for consultant services to complete work on an integrated regional economic and revenue forecasting model.

    This effort will integrate regional economic forecasts with transportation revenue forecasts, so that the effects of significant changes in one model/forecast can be accounted for in the other model/forecast. This information is critical for long-range transportation planning.

    For more information, contact Mark Simonson at 206-587-5676, msimonson@psrc.org, or Matthew Kitchen at 206-464-6196, mkitchen@psrc.org.

    The Executive Board authorized a change in Destination 2030 project status from candidate to approved for the SR 704 Cross Base Highway (early right-of-way acquisition only).

    The change to approved status recognizes satisfactory completion of the environmental and public review process and consistency with Destination 2030, the region's transportation plan.

    For more information, contact Jeff Frkonja at 206-464-6180, jfrkonja@psrc.org.

    In other business, the Executive Board:

  • Certified the 2004 comprehensive plan amendments for the cities of Bainbridge Island and Sammamish, finding them to be consistent with the state's Growth Management Act and the region's transportation plan, Destination 2030.
  • Certified the 2003 Snoqualmie Vicinity Comprehensive Plan, finding the plan to be consistent with the Growth Management Act and Destination 2030.
  • Authorized an amendment to the contract for On-Call Services for Communications and Public Involvement.
  • Authorized a contract for consultant services for part two of a survey of Baby Boomers' Travel Behavior.
  • Authorized a contract for consulting services in support of the Regional Air Cargo Strategy.