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TO MEMORIALIZE AND URGE THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO QUICKLY APPROPRIATE HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF EMERGENCY RESPONDERS AND DISASTER RELIEF PERSONNEL, TO URGE THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO SECURE FEDERAL FUNDING AND ADVANCE BIOTERRORISM PREPAREDNESS AID FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, TO ENSURE THAT EMERGENCY RESPONDERS AND DISASTER RELIEF PERSONNEL RECEIVE CERTAIN RECOMMENDED VACCINATIONS, AND TO ENSURE THAT SUPPLIES OF CERTAIN VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE.
Whereas, emergency responders and disaster relief personnel are critical elements in the safety of South Carolina during emergencies; and
Whereas, emergency responders and disaster relief personnel risk their personal health as well as their lives to serve their fellow citizens; and
Whereas, certain emergency responders and disaster relief personnel such as state and local law enforcement personnel, fire department personnel, correctional officers, and emergency medical personnel, may be deployed in advance of or in response to a bioterrorism attack, terrorist attack, catastrophic event, natural disaster, or similar emergency; and
Whereas, the vaccination of emergency responders and disaster relief personnel is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, and safety. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the South Carolina General Assembly recognizes the tremendous contribution that emergency responders and disaster relief personnel make to South Carolina and its citizens and, therefore, urges Congress to quickly appropriate the necessary homeland security funds to protect the health of emergency responders and disaster relief personnel, and also urges the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to make every effort in attempting to secure federal funding and to take all necessary steps in the application procedure to advance bioterrorism preparedness aid from the federal program via the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services normal or, if circumstances demand it, expedited application procedure.
Be it further resolved that in preparation for a potential declared state of emergency, the General Assembly requests the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to ensure that emergency responders and disaster relief personnel who may be exposed to infectious diseases when deployed to a disaster location, receive vaccinations that include, but are not limited to, vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, diphtheria-tetanus, influenza, pneumococcal, and any other diseases for which vaccinations are recommended by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the United States Public Health Service and in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Directors Policy. The Department of Health and Environmental Control is requested to promote awareness of this vaccination effort.
Be it further resolved that the General Assembly urges the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of vaccine available for emergency responders in the event of a public health emergency in South Carolina.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and to each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Commissioner of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
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