Metro News Release

For immediate release: November 18, 2009

Metro to strengthen pandemic flu planning and preparedness efforts

Improved planning will lead to better response

With the 2009 flu season underway, and the seasonal and H1N1 viruses already taking their toll across the region, Metro has its current pandemic flu plan in place and at work, and is looking for ways to strengthen its planning and preparedness.

Using a $166,000 Urban Areas Security Initiative grant, Metro has hired Abt Associates Inc. to update and strengthen the transit agency’s Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan.

Metro tested its existing Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan in April when the H1N1 virus first surfaced. Metro quickly purchased equipment and supplies to disinfect transit vehicles, and protect workers and riders. It also launched a public education campaign to inform its 1.2 million daily riders and 10,000-plus workforce about the new flu virus and steps to take to remain healthy.

With the current flu plan as a guide, Metro purchased and stockpiled supplies such as hand sanitizer, gloves, masks and disinfecting cleansers during the summer so that necessary items were available at the start of October’s flu season. It also increased the availability of the seasonal flu vaccine to employees, ordered the H1N1 vaccine, established a telephone hotline to track employee absenteeism due to the flu, and launched a health educational campaign online, on buses and trains, and in workplaces.

“Metro already has a good plan, but we can always make it better,” said Metro Deputy Chief of Environmental Management and Industrial Hygiene Joan LeLacheur.

“Abt has considerable experience with pandemic planning and we are pleased to have them as a partner for developing a more robust pandemic plan. This updated pandemic plan will better coordinate with Metro’s overall emergency operations plan that is also undergoing revision,” said Metro Emergency Management Director Peter LaPorte.

The contractor will look at Metro’s existing flu plan, and meet with representatives from various Metro departments to capture how the transit agency responded to the initial H1N1 outbreak in the spring. The contractor also will lead a group working session and individual interviews with Metro employees to identify lessons learned and improvements that can be incorporated now and during future pandemics. The company will work closely with Metro to update the written plan and generate an overall strategic approach for Metro’s pandemic preparedness, response and recovery.

In addition to updating Metro’s current plan, two new appendixes will be created—one on stockpiling and distributing equipment, and the other on communications and outreach. The appendix on stockpiling and distribution will aim to reduce the time it takes to distribute supplies agency-wide and improve overall response in a crisis. The communications and outreach appendix will examine ways that Metro can increase the speed with which information gets distribute to passengers and employees about a pandemic. Enhancing outreach to non-English speakers also will be addressed.

With more than 10,000 employees working throughout Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia in 86 rail stations, nine bus garages, nine rail yards, and office buildings, and with a fleet of more than 2,500 vehicles carrying more than 1 million riders each day, extensive planning is critical.

Metro began preparing for a pandemic flu outbreak several years ago. It convened an Infectious Disease Preparedness Plan Task Force in 2006 and developed the first plan of its kind in the United States transportation industry. The plan evolved over the next few years from “infectious disease” to “avian” and finally to “The Metro Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan” that is currently in place. This evolution kept abreast with guidelines and policies established by the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization, and incorporated recommendations of local health departments and emergency management groups.




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Media contact for this news release: Cathy Asato or Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.
For all other inquiries, please call customer service at 202-637-7000.

News release issued at 1:58 pm, November 18, 2009.