OEHA E-Blast: Safer Food, Better Health

Happy June, Oregon Environmental Health Professionals! Here's the latest.

Did you know that yesterday, June 7, 2022, was World Food Safety Day? Check out these resources from the World Health Organization: World Food Safety Day 2022 (who.int) They include handouts and printables on topics such as "Food Safety Is Everyone's Business in Schools and Daycare Centers" and "Food Safety Myths and Facts".

Is there an EHS Trainee in your county or a neighboring area? Direct them to OEHA for support as they begin their career! We can connect them with a study group and a shared Google drive with resources to help them pass their REHS Exam. Email president@oregoneha.org or send us a note on our Contact page on the OEHA website.

Did you attend the OEHA Annual Educational Conference in April 2022 and now you're looking for your CEUs? Our request for CEUs has been submitted to the Oregon Health Licensing Board and will be processed after June 2022. If you attended the 2022 OEHA Conference, you can expect to receive your CEUs sometime soon!

Speaking of CEUs... Due to Governor Kate Brown lifting the COVID-19 emergency declaration effective April 1, 2022, the Health Licensing Office (HLO) has filed a proposed administrative rule repeal for Oregon Administrative Rule 331-030-0036. The rule repeal will be listed for publication in the Oregon Secretary of State June 2022, Oregon Bulletin.

Are you a new OEHA Member trying to access the Members Only pages of the OEHA webpage? Please go to the OEHA website and launch your profile now by logging in. Your email and basic contact info is already loaded, (only viewable by you and the OEHA webmaster). You will just need to click on "Log In" then "Forgot my password". This will allow you to create a new, individualized password for your member account. You will be able to update your contact info, create a page that is viewable by other OEHA members (otherwise they won't be able to see where you work or any other personal information) and set a profile picture, if you wish. If you are still having trouble after trying this, or have any other questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thinking about relocating? In case you would like to live and work on Oregon’s beautiful southern coast, check out this employment opportunity: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/josephine/jobs/3560331/environmental-health-curry-county. The position is paid through Josephine County but located in Curry County overseeing their licensed facilities.

Pool season is here! Throughout the state, EHSs are hard at work to make sure that pools are safe for the public to swim in. Deschutes County Pool Inspector John Mason recently paid a visit to Juniper Pool, a Park and Recreation District facility located in Bend, Oregon. In this video, John explains the work that he does to keep the public safe and explains why it's crucial for swimmers to shower before hopping in the water. Learn from the best!

The video can be found at this link. https://youtu.be/UyRXaE_giJw

For more information on pool safety, you can visit this link: Healthy and Safe Swimming Week | Healthy Swimming | Healthy Water | CDC

More relocation options! There is a career opportunity in Lane County, located in Eugene, Oregon. This posting will be Open Until Filled. First Review of applications was on May 30th. Lane County Public Health is hiring for an Environmental Health Supervisor (Job#202200278). This position is responsible for effective and efficient management of the Environmental Health section of Public Health and is a member of the leadership team.

And another opportunity: Tillamook County is recruiting for an Environmental Health Specialist 1 or 2 with the Health & Human Services Department. Head over to the OEHA Job Opportunity webpage for more information on any of these postings: Job Opportunities | OEHA (oregoneha.org)

And now, some NEHA News:

Applications Open for NEHA Vector Control Program Committee

Applications for the NEHA Vector Control Program Committee are now being accepted. The committee is dedicated to fostering improved vector control programs to protect public health through the development of guidance, resources, and programs. Deadline to apply is June 10.

REHS/RS Credential Confirms High Quality

Did you know that an environmental health credential is recognized in 31 states and required at some level in 28 states and the District of Columbia? The NEHA Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) credential remains the foremost certification for the environmental health workforce. Learn more and consider applying today.

2022 Retail Program Standards Symposium

The 2022 Retail Program Standards Symposium is currently underway! It is taking place June 7–9. This virtual symposium, presented by the NEHA-FDA RFFM Grant Program in collaboration with CFP, features free sessions on meeting and maintaining the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards, creating useful risk factor studies, developing a long-term Comprehensive Strategic Improvement Plan, and more. Speakers include expert retail food industry regulators and representatives.

Year 2 Application Coming August 2022

The application period for year 2 will open this August for 2023 grants, offering 1-year development base grants as well as optional add-on grants for mentorship, special projects, and training. Visit the Retail Grants webpage for program resources, training options, and the latest updates.

2020 Forces of Change Report

NACCHO has released its 2020 Forces of Change report. With more than one half of local health departments reporting that their staff were targets of politically motivated harassment resulting from COVID-19 protection measures, the report shows how the pandemic has taken a toll on our frontline workforce.

State of the Air 2022

For 23 years, the American Lung Association has analyzed data from official air quality monitors to compile the State of the Air report. The report finds that more than 4 in 10 people live where pollution levels frequently make the air too dangerous to breathe.

New Enforcement Strategy to Advance Environmental Justice

The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. EPA have announced a new plan to advance environmental justice. The strategy focuses on using available legal tools to protect communities that have been overburdened by environmental injustices.

2019 Update on Antimicrobial Resistance

The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System has released its Integrated Summary 2019. The summary combines antimicrobial resistance data in bacteria isolated from humans, raw retail meats, and animals at slaughter to examine trends in resistance to antimicrobial agents.

Strategies for Messaging About Cyanobacterial Blooms

ASTHO has released a report that summarizes input from state health agencies about their experiences with public health messaging and risk communication when respond to harmful algal and cyanobacterial blooms. The report complies lessons learned and examples of successful messaging strategies.

Communicating Through COVID-19 and Beyond

From the Public Health Communications Collaborative, Communicating Through COVID-19 and Beyond features insights from public health communicators across the country. Based on over 600 responses to a national survey, the resource offers a wealth of information for protecting public health.

Save the Date: FDA Retail Food Protection Seminar

The virtual 2022 FDA Retail Food Protection Seminar on September 19–22 will provide an opportunity for regulators to discuss the latest retail food safety issues. Registration is free and more information will be available soon.

Thanks for reading! Please send us any updates that you'd like to be included in future E-Blasts or the OEHA webpage. Stay safe out there and have a great start to your summer!