HOUSTON, Aug. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Witt O'Brien's, a global leader in crisis and emergency management, today announced it is working with the Texas Department of State Health Services to develop a series of preparedness plans to mitigate risks associated with High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCIDs).
Last month, the official kick-off meeting for the project was held in Austin, Texas, and included representatives from the DSHS Central Office and various DSHS Health Service Regions.
The planning project will address Texas-specific infectious disease threats, lessons learned from previous responses including the 2014 Texas Ebola response, and preparedness and response strategies for all levels of government.
The Department of State Health Services defines an HCID as an infectious disease that presents an immediate threat; poses a high risk of death or serious long-term disability to a large number of people; and creates a substantial risk of public exposure due to the disease's high level of contagion or the method by which the disease is transmitted.
"Our firm knows firsthand the consequences of being ill-prepared for an emergency event," said Witt O'Brien's CEO Tim Whipple. "We are thrilled to partner with the Texas Department of State Health Services for a more resilient Texas."
For the duration of the project, Witt O'Brien's in conjunction with the Texas Department of State Health Services will work with all levels of government, regional health departments and hospitals, emergency management, and other stakeholders to develop comprehensive infectious disease preparedness and response strategies for the State of Texas.
For more information on the partnership and planning project, please email Clint Ladd, cladd@wittobriens.com.
About Witt O'Brien's
Witt O'Brien's is a global leader in crisis and emergency management, with unrivaled experience and knowledge of public safety, disaster mitigation, continuity of operations, and emergency management issues. We offer a full range of services to better prepare your organization before disaster strikes and help you recover more quickly if it does. Our capabilities allow us to tackle any assignment, from food supply security to infrastructure protection and back up to natural disaster response. Our world-class subject matter experts are also uniquely adept at building necessary coalitions that link government agencies, first responders, and business communities. We help you Prepare, Respond, Communicate, Recover. We help you Control the Outcome®. To learn more about our real-world experience and innovative solutions, please visit our website at www.wittobriens.com and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/WittOBriens.