[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 13238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4947]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


National Biodefense Science Board; Notification of a Public 
Teleconference

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Secretary.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: As stipulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services is hereby giving notice that 
the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) will be holding a public 
teleconference. The meeting is open to the public.

DATES: The NBSB will hold a public teleconference on March 26, 2008. 
The teleconference will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST.

ADDRESSES: The conference will be conducted by phone.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Any member of the public wishing to 
obtain general information concerning this public teleconference should 
contact CAPT Leigh A. Sawyer, D.V.M., M.P.H., Executive Director, 
National Biodefense Science Board, Office of the Assistant Secretary 
for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, 200 Independence Ave, SW., Room 450G, Washington, DC 20201; 
via telephone/voice mail: 202-205-3815; fax: 202-690-7412; or e-mail 
at: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NBSB was established by section 319M of 
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-7f) as added by section 
402 of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (Pub. L. 109-417) 
to provide advice to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The 
NBSB provides expert advice and guidance to the Secretary on 
scientific, technical and other matters of special interest to the 
Department of Health and Human Services regarding current and future 
chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological (CBRN) agents, whether 
naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate.
    Background: The Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations 
within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and 
Response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has asked 
the NBSB to provide objective, scientifically based advice and 
recommendations on the proposed Federal Education and Training 
Interagency Group (FETIG). The function of the proposed FETIG is to 
serve as the coordinating mechanism for public health and medical 
disaster preparedness and response core curricula, training, and 
education across executive departments and agencies. The Disaster 
Medicine Working Group, formed by the National Biodefense Science Board 
on December 18, 2007, is in the process of reviewing the proposed FETIG 
draft Charter.
    The purpose of the March 26th teleconference is for the NBSB to 
consider the assessment of the Disaster Medicine Working Group's review 
of the proposed FETIG draft charter and to provide recommendations to 
the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
regarding the proposed FETIG draft charter and the coordination of core 
curricula, training, and education for public health and medical 
disaster preparedness. The public teleconference will include a report 
from the NBSB Disaster Medicine Working Group.
    Availability of Materials: The draft agenda and other materials 
will be posted on the NBSB Web site at http://www.hhs.gov/aspr/omsph/nbsb/index.html prior to the meeting.
    Procedures for Providing Public Input: Interested members of the 
public may submit relevant written or oral information for the NBSB to 
consider. Oral Statements: In general, individuals or groups requesting 
an oral presentation at a public NBSB teleconference will be limited to 
three minutes per speaker, with no more than a total of one hour for 
all speakers. To be placed on the public speaker list, interested 
parties should contact CAPT Leigh A. Sawyer, Executive Director, in 
writing (preferably via e-mail), by March 19, 2008. Written Statements: 
In general, individuals or groups may file written comments with the 
committee. All written comments must be received prior to March 19, 
2008 and should be sent by e-mail with ``NBSB Public Comment'' as the 
subject line or by regular mail to the Contact person listed above. 
Individuals who wish to participate on the public teleconference and 
need special assistance should notify the designated contact person by 
March 19, 2008.

    Dated: February 27, 2008.
RADM William C. Vanderwagen,
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services.
 [FR Doc. E8-4947 Filed 3-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-37-P