As a means to strengthen the overall health system within the region, the Region 2 North Bioterrorism Preparedness Planning Board has adopted the following mission: 

  Develop and implement a regional response plan that functions within an  Incident Command Structure in conjunction with local emergency preparedness and public health agencies in order to effectively mitigate, respond to, prepare for, and recover from Biological Weapons incidents, pandemics, and other disasters resulting in mass casualties within the region.

 The Planning Board, although led by regional medical control authorities and hospitals, represents a broad-spectrum of organizations and agencies located within the tri-county area, which include:

1. Local Public Health Departments

2. Emergency Medical Services (private and public)

3. Local Emergency Management

4. Michigan State Police – Emergency Management Division

5. Federal Bureau of Investigation

6. Local Law Enforcement Departments

7. Local Fire Departments

8. American Red Cross

9. Medical Examiners

10. Regional Response Team Network

11. Volunteer & Civic Organizations

12. Michigan Department of Community Health

The development of the Regional Bioterrorism Response Plan is the result of participation from and coordination among the variety of the aforementioned organizations within the region that became part of a mission and vision greater than self in order to protect the lives of the people in our region and in the State of Michigan.

Accomplishments to Date 

During Fiscal Years 2003 and 2004 the Region has been awarded almost $3 million ($2,915,000) for the development and implementation of the Regional Preparedness Plan.   Of this amount, $2,432,000 (84%) has been or will be distributed to hospitals and EMS agencies within the region to enhance preparedness and response capability in the event of a bioterrorist incident. 

Plan components that have been developed thus far include:

• Region 2 North Plan formally adopted and distributed to all affected constituencies

• Region 2 North adoption of Modular Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) plan with modifications;

• Pre-event Smallpox Plan;

• Post-event Smallpox Plan.

 In addition to the aforementioned planning efforts, the region has co-sponsored the following educational seminars to heighten awareness among health care professionals relative to biological weapons of mass destruction.

Ø      Smallpox Educational Seminar for Healthcare Workers, April, 2003 (co-sponsored with Region 2 South), 600 attendees between the two regions;

Ø      Hospital Pharmacist Role in Bioterrorism Response, October, 2003 (co-sponsored with Region 3), 100 attendees.