[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 164 (Friday, August 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49676-49677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19505]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Meeting of the National Biodefense Science Board

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

ACTION: Notice.

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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 
meeting. The meeting is open to the public.

DATES: The NBSB will hold a public meeting on September 23, 2008 from 1 
p.m. to 4 p.m. EST.

ADDRESSES: The Sheraton National Hotel, 900 S. Orme Street, Arlington, 
VA 22204. Phone: 703-521-1900.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: CAPT Leigh A. Sawyer, D.V.M., M.P.H., 
Executive Director, National Biodefense

[[Page 49677]]

Science Board, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and 
Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 
Independence Ave, SW., Room 638G, Washington, DC 20201; 202-205-3815; 
fax: 202-205-0613; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 319M of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-7f) and section 222 of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a), the Department of Health and Human 
Services established the National Biodefense Science Board. The Board 
shall provide 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 agents, whether 
naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. The Board may also 
provide advice and guidance to the Secretary on other matters related 
to public health emergency preparedness and response.
    Background: The National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) has been 
asked to provide feedback to the Department of Health and Human 
Services on the review of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) 
and national medical surge capacity as required by the Pandemic and 
All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006 and as specified by Paragraph 28 
of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21. To accomplish this 
task, the request for review was forward to the Disaster Medicine 
Working Group of the NBSB. The Disaster Medicine Working Group convened 
a NDMS Assessment Panel to consider these issues. The NDMS Assessment 
Panel is comprised of several NBSB members and includes a wide range of 
government, public, and private sector subject matter experts on the 
NDMS and surge capacity.
    The purpose of the September 23, 2008 meeting is for the NBSB to 
consider the final report of the NDMS Assessment Panel and to provide 
recommendations to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services. The public meeting will include a report from the NDMS 
Assessment Panel.
    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: Public participation in NBSB 
meetings is encouraged. Interested members of the public may attend the 
meeting in person or participate by public teleconference. Any member 
of the public wishing to obtain information regarding participation by 
teleconference should contact CAPT Leigh A. Sawyer. 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 half hour 
for all speakers. To be placed on the public speaker list, interested 
parties should contact CAPT Leigh A. Sawyer, in writing (preferably via 
e-mail), by September 12, 2008. Written Statements: In general, 
individuals or groups may file written comments with the committee. All 
written comments must be received prior to September 12, 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 
needing special assistance should notify the designated contact person 
by September 12, 2008.

    Dated: August 8, 2008.
RADM William C. Vanderwagen,
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services.
 [FR Doc. E8-19505 Filed 8-21-08; 8:45 am]
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