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Office of Force Readiness and Deployment |
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2005 Hurricane Relief Continues |
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As of the beginning of April, officers in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) are still
caring for the victims of the 2005 hurricanes in the Gulf Coast area. The Office of Force Readiness and Deployment (OFRD)
continues to deploy officers to the Joint Field Office in Baton Rouge, the Area Field Office in New Orleans, and medical clinics.
At this time, the total number of officers who have deployed is 2,394. Most of these officers deployed through OFRD; others
deployed through their Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Operating Divisions/Staff Divisions and non-HHS organizations
to which officers are assigned. |
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Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Center in Bethel, Alaska |
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The Corps was again activated to support the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Center in Bethel, Alaska. The facility is experiencing
a 60 percent staffing shortage in obstetric nurses. Corps nurses have been deployed from March through the end of April,
and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Center pays for travel, housing, and per diem for the officers. |
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USNS Comfort Exercise |
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On 25 April 2006, the U.S. Navy Ship Comfort will depart Baltimore Harbor to participate in an international exercise in
Halifax, Nova Scotia, with the Canadian and British military, returning 15 May 2006. The U.S. Navy Bureau of Medical
Affairs has invited the Corps to participate in this exercise. Officer skill sets mentioned by the Navy as highly desired are:
physicians skilled in preventive medicine, infectious diseases, and trauma; environmental health officers; disaster engineers;
nurses; pharmacists; and dietitians. It is anticipated that six Corps officers will participate in this exercise. [Mission Filled.] |
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USNS Mercy Mission in the Philippines |
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Over a 4-month period this summer, the U.S. Navy Ship Mercy will provide humanitarian assistance to nine islands in the Pacific,
which have previously been impacted by various disasters - typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other public health emergencies.
Officers who deploy will address general public health and infrastructure shortfalls thereby assisting with rebuilding efforts.
The U.S. Navy Bureau of Medical Affairs has invited the Corps to participate in this mission. The mission will be divided into
three ‘legs’, with the first one involving the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. Deployed officers will
depart San Diego on a MilAir flight on or about 22 May and meet the ship in Manila. The USNS Mercy will then stop and provide
services at three islands in the Philippines before arriving at Singapore on or about 22 June. Deployed Corps personnel will
then be returned to San Diego via MilAir on or about 26 June. Specific officer skill sets requested by the Navy are: two to
three primary care physicians; two to three preventive medicine officers to include environmental health officers; and two to
three environmental engineers. A maximum of six Corps officers will be deployed for this mission. [Mission Filled.] |
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1st Dental Battalion Camp Pendleton |
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1st Dental Battalion Camp Pendleton is requesting manning support from May 2006 through September 2006 to support
efforts to deploy the next group of Sailors and Marines. Currently they have 40 technicians and 12 officers deployed
OIF IV-I representing 18 percent of active-duty staff. Additionally, they have already begun to provide mandatory
training for another 9 dentists and 20 technicians who will be deploying to support OIF IV-II in August 2006. During
this transition period, they could have a 35 percent decrease in available personnel to provide dental care. Despite
these requirements, they are still tasked with making sure that additional Sailors and Marines deploy with a dental
readiness of at least 95 percent. In response to this need, the Corps is deploying dentists and dental hygienists to
Camp Pendleton. If you are able to deploy, please see
http://ccrf.hhs.gov/ccrf/missions/pendleton_may_2006.htm |
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Training |
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OFRD, with the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, continues to train Corps officers to deploy as part of the
Secretary’s Emergency Response Team (SERT). This training is available to officers in the Liaison, ECA, Communications, and
General Health Educator deployment roles. Training will be offered until 1 June, the start of the 2006 hurricane season. |
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OFRD sent five officers to the Medical Management of Chemical and Biological Casualties (MMCBC) Course. This course
was sponsored by USAMRIID and was held 12-17 March 2006 in Frederick and Aberdeen, MD. |
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OFRD continues to train Corps officers in the DC Metro area for Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers.
Future courses can be found at: http://ccrf.hhs.gov/ccrf/ccrf_bls_form.htm. |
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Future OFRD courses can be found at:
http://ccrf.hhs.gov/ccrf/FY%202006%20Training%20Page.htm. |