Poweshiek County, IA –– A planning committee comprised of representatives from Poweshiek County, the incorporated cities and public school districts is currently updating the comprehensive Poweshiek County Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Poweshiek County Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee is seeking public input for the plan update. A summary of the plan update effort underway, as well as a questionnaire to capture public opinion and comments, is available online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Poweshiek. Hard copies of the questionnaire will also available at City Halls of the incorporated cities in the county during normal operating hours. The survey will be available until October 31, 2015. The purpose of this outreach effort is to provide information to the public on the plan that is being updated as well as gain public input.

The plan update will address a comprehensive list of hazards—ranging from severe winter storms and flooding to drought and tornadoes—and will assess the likely impacts of these hazards on communities and school districts in Poweshiek County. This effort will also update current strategies and identify additional strategies to reduce the vulnerability of people and property in the participating jurisdictions from the impacts of hazards as well as maintain eligibility for participating jurisdictions for mitigation funding programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Poweshiek County Emergency Management has taken the lead in coordinating the update of this plan under the direction of Emergency Management Coordinator, Trisha Rooda. Ms. Rooda has drawn on the expertise of consultants with Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure, Inc., a firm that specializes in hazard mitigation and emergency management.

Feedback from the public will be incorporated into the draft plan, which will be available for public review and comment in December 2015. Upon approval by the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division and FEMA, the plan will be presented to the Poweshiek County Board of Supervisors, City Councils, and School Boards of each participating jurisdiction for formal adoption. For more information on this project, contact the Poweshiek County Emergency Management Agency at 641-623-4357 or via e-mail at ema@poweshiekcosheriff.com.

For immediate release: april 22, 2105

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Media Contact: Kevin Baskins, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-725-8288.

DNR offers guidance for turkey hunters in areas near avian flu

The highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus has been confirmed in a domestic turkey facility in Buena Vista County and a domestic chicken facility in Osceola County.

Hunters can help prevent the spread of the virus by not going near any commercial poultry facilities.

“Turkey hunters can take steps to minimize the risk of spreading this virus, and they can be excellent scouts in helping identify wild birds like raptors that are known to be susceptible or wild turkeys that could have been affected,” said Dr. Dale Garner, chief of Wildlife for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

While waterfowl are the natural reservoirs for the virus, wild turkeys are presumed to be susceptible. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, the risk to the public is very low and there is no food safety concern.

However, it is advisable to avoid contact with sick birds.

The USDA makes the following recommendations for turkey hunters to protect themselves or their pet birds from the virus.

In the field

• Do not harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.
• Dress your game birds in the field whenever possible.
• Use dedicated tools for cleaning game, whether in the field or at home. Do not use those tools around your poultry or pet birds.
• Always wear rubber gloves when cleaning game.
• Double bag the internal organs and feathers. Tie the inner bag, and be sure to take off your rubber gloves and leave them in the outer bag before tying it closed. Place the bag in a trashcan that poultry and pet birds cannot access. This trashcan should also be secured against access by children, pets, or other animals.
• Wash hands with soap and water immediately after handling game. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol wipes.
• Wash all tools and work surfaces with soap and water. Then, disinfect them. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while cleaning game.

At home

• If you clean a bird at home, keep a separate pair of shoes to wear only in your game cleaning area. If this is not possible, wear rubber footwear and clean/disinfect your shoes before entering or leaving the area.
• Wash all tools and work surfaces with soap and water. Then disinfect them.
• Avoid cross-contamination. Keep uncooked game in a separate container away from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
• You should always cook game meat thoroughly; poultry should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill disease organisms and parasites.

The DNR also advises hunters that if they see any birds that have died in the field or appear sick (ruffled feathers, swollen wattles, discoloration of the feet and impaired balance) to notify staff as soon as possible and don’t touch or attempt to move the birds.

Waterfowl are the natural reservoirs for the virus and raptors are known to be susceptible.

If you see a dead or sick wild turkey or raptor, mark the location by GPS if possible and contact local wildlife biologist or conservation officer at http://www.iowadnr.gov/ContactIowaDNR.aspx and clicking on the DNR staff and office information by county pdf.

Additional information about avian influenza is online at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Education/IowasWildlife/AvianInfluenza.aspx

April 1, 2015 – Governor Terry E. Branstad has designated April as 9-1-1 Education Month in Iowa. Sponsored by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) and the Iowa 9-1-1 Communications Council, 9-1-1 Education Month is an opportunity to demonstrate to all Iowans the importance of 9-1-1 and the role they play in ensuring effective emergency response.

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Poweshiek County Emergency Management

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Planning Services

This is a Request for Proposals to provide planning services to Poweshiek County, Iowa to develop a Multi-Jurisdictional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan in accordance with the guidance provided by the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The County is required to complete this plan by February 9th, 2016 OR DATE DUE PER GRANT AGREEMENT WHICHEVER IS EARLIER.

Poweshiek County will enter into a contract with the Consultant whose proposal is determined to be the most advantageous to the county. Factors to be considered and the method used in the evaluation of the proposals are set forth in Section E.  Click Here to Download

You are invited to submit a proposal to be received 4/27/2015

Poweshiek County Emergency Management Agency
4802 Barnes City Road PO Box 166
Montezuma, IA 50171

If you choose not to submit a proposal, please respond accordingly by sending an e-mail to ema@poweshiekcosheriff.com
Inquiries concerning this RFP should be directed to:

Trisha Rooda
Poweshiek Co. Emergency Management
4802 Barnes City Rd PO Box 166
Montezuma, IA 50171
Email: ema@poweshiekcosheriff.com

Click Here to Download

10.1.14

• Ebola can be scary, and it is understandable that Iowans are concerned a case of Ebola could occur in Iowa as it has in Texas; however, there is a world of difference between the U.S. and the parts of Africa where Ebola is spreading.
  • The U.S. and Iowa have a strong health care system and public health professionals who are prepared to respond to infectious diseases, even diseases like Ebola that can cause a great deal of public concern.
  • It’s important to remember Ebola is not a virus spread through the air, and is only contagious if the infected person is having active symptoms. Ebola is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of a sick person or exposure to objects such as needles that have been contaminated.

• IDPH recognizes that even a single case of Ebola diagnosed in the United States can raise concerns locally. IDPH has been and will continue to work closely with CDC and local public health agencies to ensure the state is ready to respond should the need arise. IDPH has been working with CDC and local public health agencies in the following ways:

• Enhancing surveillance and laboratory testing capacity in states to detect cases.
• Developing guidance and tools for health departments to conduct public health investigations.
• Providing recommendations for healthcare infection control and other measures to prevent disease spread.
• Disseminating up-to-date information to the general public, international travelers, and public health partners.

• Iowans can be confident in our hospital system
  • Our hospitals and health care providers handle very contagious illnesses every day.
  • Our hospitals and staff are well trained and ready. They have facilities in place for individuals who contract very contagious diseases and proper protective equipment and protocols in place.
  • Our hospitals and staff are ready and prepared to handle any infectious disease, including Ebola.

IDPH News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 1, 2014

Contact: Polly Carver-Kimm

Polly.Carver-Kimm@idph.iowa.gov

IDPH Statement on Texas Ebola Case

Due to statewide media interest in the Texas Ebola case announced by the CDC yesterday, the Iowa Department of Public Health has issued the following statement:

News about Ebola can be scary and it is understandable that Iowans are concerned a case of Ebola could occur in Iowa as it has in Texas; however, there is a world of difference between the U.S. and the parts of Africa where Ebola is spreading. The U.S. and Iowa have a strong health care system and public health professionals who are prepared to respond to infectious diseases, even diseases like Ebola, which can cause a great deal of public concern.

It’s important to remember Ebola is not a virus spread through the air, and is only contagious if the infected person is having active symptoms. Ebola is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of a sick person or exposure to objects such as needles that have been contaminated.

IDPH recognizes that even a single case of Ebola diagnosed in the United States can raise concerns locally. IDPH has been and will continue to work closely with CDC and local public health agencies to ensure the state is ready to respond should the need arise.