Amid pandemics, New York City considers a dedicated pandemic preparedness office

Among COVID-19 and its variants, monkeypox, and the measles outbreak of 2019, New York City’s government offices dealing with health emergencies have faced an unprecedented string of challenges. So the New York City Council committees on Fire and Emergency Management and Governmental Operations considered this morning how the city can better hone its response when – or if – future health disasters arise. City agencies joining the oversight hearing included New York City Emergency Management, the Mayor’s Office of Operations and the health department.The council also discussed two bills up for consideration –  one of which, Int. 367-2022, would establish an office exclusively dedicated to pandemic preparedness. The other measure, Int. 95-2022, would require the commissioner of emergency management to submit an annual report to the council that describes the city’s preparation and response to any state or city emergency declaration related to an infectious disease. 

“We all know that the next public health emergency could strike at any time. And when it does, I think the public expects us in government to be prepared,” said Council Member Gale Brewer. “It's so important to conduct planning now, and for the public to know what our priorities are … We do not want to be caught flat-footed.”