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Protecting Animal and Public Health: Homeland Security and the Federal Veterinarian Workforce, Testimony of Dr. Thomas McGinn
testimony 5 of 8
Title: Protecting Animal and Public Health: Homeland Security and the Federal Veterinarian Workforce, Testimony of Dr. Thomas McGinn
Date: February 26, 2009
Author: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia
Institution: Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia
Bibliographic Entry: “Protecting Animal and Public Health: Homeland Security and the Federal Veterinarian Workforce.” February 26, 2009. Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia. Witness testimony of Dr. Thomas McGinn
http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=c34dd856-a58a-4ab8-9588-258131fd817a (Accessed March 10, 2009)
Electronic Link: http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/_files/TestimonyMcGinn20090226.pdf
Key Words: DHS, Office of Health Affairs (OHA), veterinarian workforce, animal and public health, animal disease outbreak, animal emergency response, National Preparedness Directorate (NPD), FEMA
Summary of Key Points, Issues, Conclusions: Thomas J. McGinn serves as the Chief Veterinarian at the Office of Health Affairs (OHA) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In his testimony, he highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong and diverse veterinary workforce within DHS and he discussed the impact a shortage in the veterinary workforce could have during catastrophic incidents. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has initiated two efforts to provide States with an estimate of how many people and with what qualifications are likely to be needed to manage an animal disease outbreak. The first effort is being undertaken by the National Preparedness Directorate (NPD) Incident Management Systems Integration Division (NPD-IMSI). IMSI has developed credentialing requirements for 15 Animal Emergency Response Positions, specific to the needs of animals during any all-hazards incidents as well as an animal disease outbreak. FEMA is also coordinating with the DHS OHA to develop a risk-based target capability for Federal, State, local, and tribal governments to prepare for an animal disease outbreak. Mr. McGinn concluded his testimony by reporting recent improvements made by the OHA:
• Improving animal and human health globally through collaboration of all the health sciences especially between the veterinary and human medical professions
• Meeting new global challenges head-on through collaboration among multiple professions such as veterinary medicine, human medicine, environmental health, wildlife health, and public health
• Adding to scientific knowledge to create innovations to improve health. There is a growing concern that the world’s latest generation could be the first in history to experience a reduction in life expectancy and health in general
Name of Researcher: Ashanti Z. Corey
Institution: Integrative Center for Homeland Security, Texas A&M University
Date Posted: April 2, 2009