| IMPACT 2-1-1 is the central access point for people seeking information and assistance; not only during a personal crisis, but also during community disasters. Although community-wide emergencies occur less frequently, the 2-1-1 system plays a key role in a coordinated response. Collaborating with Emergency Management Services, we can ramp up quickly to disseminate accurate information clearly and consistently, while also collecting data helpful for local, state and national agencies in the process of managing the disaster. We also have the advantage of being networked across the United States with other 2-1-1s. During the massive flooding in Milwaukee in 2010, we called on other 2-1-1s to back us up; and we have backed up other 2-1-1s during hurricanes, for example. It's a system-wide approach in which all communities benefit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and United Way Worldwide 2-1-1 have partnered to develop a coordinated national network of triage lines for use during a severe pandemic. IMPACT 2-1-1 has been selected as a pilot site for Flu On CallTM and will work collaboratively with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Milwaukee Health Department, the Wisconsin Poison Control Center, local United Way organizations and other Wisconsin 2-1-1 call centers to ensure that residents can access information and referral in the event of a pandemic. On September 8, we will participate in a Flu On CallTM pilot exercise to test the system's functionality. This follows a recent site visit in which the national partners toured our state-of-the-art call center and provided a detailed overview of the roles of IMPACT 2-1-1 and other statewide agencies in Flu On CallTM. 
From left: Andrew Roszak of the National Association of County and City Health Officials; Lisa Austin of United Way Worldwide 2-1-1; IMPACT 2-1-1 Director Bob Waite; IMPACT President & CEO Mike Davis; and Lisa Koonin of the CDC. |
