January 19, 2016
By: Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., RN, HHS Acting Deputy Secretary
Flint, Michigan is in the midst of a serious public health crisis, with high levels of lead in its water supply. President Obama signed an emergency declaration on Saturday, ordering federal assistance to support state and local response efforts.
With the emergency declaration in place, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has now been designated the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating federal government response and recovery efforts.
This means that HHS will, in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), identify and mobilize the capabilities of the rest of the federal partners – including the Small Business Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Education and Agriculture (USDA) -- that are already working to help residents in Flint.
The goal of the federal response will be to help state and local leaders identify the size and scope of the problem, and work with them to make and execute a plan for mitigation of the short- and long-term health effects of lead exposure.
HHS will have a team on the ground in Flint this week. The team will be led by Dr. Nicole Lurie, HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). Dr. Lurie will begin engaging with state and local officials today and will travel to Flint tomorrow.
READ MORE: On the Ground This Week: HHS to Lead Federal Response in FlintWith the emergency declaration in place, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has now been designated the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating federal government response and recovery efforts.
This means that HHS will, in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), identify and mobilize the capabilities of the rest of the federal partners – including the Small Business Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Education and Agriculture (USDA) -- that are already working to help residents in Flint.
The goal of the federal response will be to help state and local leaders identify the size and scope of the problem, and work with them to make and execute a plan for mitigation of the short- and long-term health effects of lead exposure.
HHS will have a team on the ground in Flint this week. The team will be led by Dr. Nicole Lurie, HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). Dr. Lurie will begin engaging with state and local officials today and will travel to Flint tomorrow.
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