June 27, 2006 Summit Agenda

On Tuesday, June 27, more than 300 individuals came together at the Indianapolis Conrad Hotel to discuss strategies for keeping our community safe in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak.

Representatives from businesses, schools, health care providers, media, public safety offices and neighborhood/faith-based organizations attended the summit.

Participants learned what highly pathogenic influenza is from Dr. Kenneth H. Fife of the Indiana University School of Medicine, while James R. White, director of Marion County Emergency Management Agency, focused on the importance of the continuity of operations during a pandemic. Participants then heard what several local organizations are already doing to plan including Eli Lilly, the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township, MCHD and Wishard Hospital.

The luncheon keynote speaker, Dr. Michael L. Olinger at the I.U. School of Medicine, shared his story about emergency preparedness from a physician�s perspective. Olinger discussed errors and successes of operations during the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

A key aspect of the summit was the breakout sessions in which participants interacted to discuss planning for their respective area of expertise: businesses, schools, health care, media, public safety and neighborhood/faith-based organizations.

Reports from each session were provided at the end of the conference. The summit allowed for the community to network and prepare as a team for a pandemic flu outbreak. Many of the breakout session attendees will be holding future meetings and table-top discussions to develop more comprehensive plans.