WHEREAS, on August 31, 2005, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services issued an Order of Determination that a Public Health Emergency Exists in the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, conditions exist which require action by the undersigned to assist in implementation of the federal Order in the State of South Carolina for the purpose of receiving casualties and health care providers for the treatment of those casualties from areas identified in the federal Order; and

WHEREAS, the health care facilities and resources of South Carolina are needed to provide shelter, care and treatment for patients in areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina;

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me as Governor, pursuant to the Constitution and Laws of the State of South Carolina, I hereby order:

1. That as of September 2, 2005, the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan be placed in effect and require state agencies to support the responsibilities and tasks herein. I further authorize the Director, Emergency Management Division, to seek reimbursement from the State Contingency Fund for any expenditures required to respond to Hurricane Katrina.

2. That the appropriate licensing authorities may waive all licensing and credentialing requirements under state law for the period of the federally declared public health emergency under the conditions as may be established by such authorities in consultation with the Governor's Office, to enable out of state health care providers to render care and treatment to patients evacuated from the geographic areas identified in the federal order.

3. The deployment of state resources by applicable state agencies in consultation with the Governor's office as may be necessary for the response to the public health emergency resulting from the effects of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

AND IT IS SO ORDERED.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 6th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2005.

MARK SANFORD
Governor

Last Updated: Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 4:08 P.M.