The public will receive education on pandemic flu in the form of a series of island-wide forums to be held in the next few months.

Island County Commissioners approved a $16,546 amendment to the Department of Health consolidated contract last week. They awarded a $13,000 contract on Monday to Strategic Learning Resources, the firm responsible for coordinating the public edification.

“We want to efficiently and effectively get the word out,” said Kerry McDonald, Department of Health director for administrative services.

Island County Health Officer Roger Case said the department will work with social organizations as well as school administrators to disseminate the information and plan forum logistics.

“The forums will be specifically oriented around educating the public on pandemic flu preparation and emergency response,” Case said.

The Homeland Security funding is being used to bring in an outside resource for education largely because of the “last minute” nature of the dollars the government doled out.

“We do not have the staffing to do it internally,” McDonald said. “We have a very short time frame and the money had to be used very specifically. Many times Homeland Security funding is ‘use it or lose it’ money. We often get it late without much prior notice.”

Grouping Island County with other counties in the region has improved cohesiveness with cross-preparation for disasters.

“It’s a very good way to do it,” McDonald said. “You’ve got cross coverage that way.”

The consolidated contract has allowed the county to run programs with less convolution. The recent funding amendment was the ninth approved by the commissioners on the basic contract.

For more information about pandemic flu preparation and emergency preparedness, visit the county’s website at www.islandcounty.net/health and access the pandemic flu section in the subject index.