Strengthening Multiagency Rapid Response Capabilities

PROJECT SUMMARY - Florida's Integrated Rapid Response Team (FLIRRT) - March 2016The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services, Division of Food Safety, haspositioned itself to continue implementation of a rapid response capability/network to measureand evaluate our various food safety/food defense programs. We regularly enhance ourresponse to adverse food/feed incidents to mitigate the adverse impact of such incidents, andprevent the number of foodborne illnesses in the state of Florida, thereby improving the healthof Floridians and our many visitors and food products exported. A recent evaluation wasreleased in April, 2015 by our state partner, Florida Department of Health (DOH). DOHconducted an evaluation of Florida's foodborne illness and outbreak response using the Councilto Improve Foodborne Outbreak and Response (CIFOR) 16 Performance Measures to evaluateour current capabilities. From that assessment our strengths and challenges were noted and wenow have a focused path to improve our multiagency capabilities. The referenced report isattached to this application.We have recently secured a Whole Genome Sequencer for our Food Laboratory that allows us tomore accurately assess foodborne illnesses in relation to product or environmental samples todetermine the actual vehicle of transmission thereby directing manpower in the right directionand avoid falsely implicating other commodities or steps within the food chain. Our FoodLaboratory participates in FDA's GenomeTrakr, has a Bio-Security III laboratory section, is ISO01725 accredited as well as meeting Standard 10 of the Manufactured Food Regulatory ProgramStandards (MFRPS). Additionally, in Florida is one of CDC's Center of Excellence and theirboard member from the Florida Department of Health is also on member of the FLIRRTMultiagency Coordination (MAC) Group. This expands or multiagency approach and outreachwith these partners without our state. FLIRRT has many food safety partners in Florida whichinclude our Department of Health, Department of Business and Professional Regulations-Division of Hotels and Restaurants, the Food and Drug Administration and the US Departmentof Agriculture as well as other agencies involved in protecting Florida's food supply. We havecreated a Standard Operating Plan for Florida's Integrated Rapid Response Team (FLIRRT) andis updated on a routine basis or as needed and just recently revised Florida's Food EmergencyResponse Plan (FERP). With this award we can continue to increase the knowledge of ourworkforce by applicable training and by supplying staff with current electronic technology tochart our activities and to respond rapidly to an adverse event to lessen the negative health andeconomic impact on the Florida community and nationwide.