Dr. Carrico with the Pandemic Planning and Preparedness project participates in a television panel regarding nH1N1

Date:  December 11, 2009

On Tuesday, October 20, 2009 Dr. Ruth Carrico participated in a live call-in television show on Kentucky Educational Television (KET) to answer questions about nH1N1 symptoms, vaccinations and preventive measures. Callers from around the Commonwealth asked a variety of questions regarding the pandemic and Kentucky’s plans to vaccinate high-risk groups against the virus. Information was also disseminated regarding the Commonwealth’s toll-free 2009 Flu Hotline where residents could call after the television show ended to ask further questions.

Additional panelists included William Hacker, MD, Commissioner, Kentucky Department for Public Health; Chris Nelson, MD, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center; and Melinda Rowe, MD, Commissioner, Lexington-Fayette County Health Department.

The show can be viewed by clicking here.

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The Challenge

The task of assuring the security of our homeland involves protecting the citizens of the United States, the nation's critical infrastructure and key assets. This is necessary to sustain the nation's vitality against terrorism and other threats. This protection must originate at the community level. It requires discovering, developing and deploying new technology that will support first responders and key decision makers in local communities.

The Mission

NIHS' mission is to discover, develop and deploy solutions that protect and preserve the critical infrastructure of the nation's communities.

The Institute

NIHS aligns projects and research objectives with the needs and requirements of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The strategy is to manage a distributed research enterprise that effectively transitions research and development into solutions. NIHS works with DHS to determine technology needs at the community level. Then, teams are quickly assembled from multiple universities to develop solutions to the needs.

The Strategy

Through management of the Kentucky Critical Infrastructure Protections Program (KCI), the National Institute for Hometown Security (NIHS) provides an ongoing, integrated program dedicated to developing new technologies and devices. NIHS works through qualified academic institutions to accomplish the technological objectives.