Updates:Updates:

Food Emergency Response Network Food Emergency Response Network and and

Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Integrated Consortium of Laboratory NetworksNetworks

Emilio Esteban, DVM, MPVM, MBA, PhDEmilio Esteban, DVM, MPVM, MBA, PhDLaboratory DirectorLaboratory Director

USDA, FSIS, OPHS, WLUSDA, FSIS, OPHS, WLMay 11, 2005May 11, 2005

Homeland Security Presidential DirectiveHomeland Security Presidential DirectiveHSPDHSPD--9: 9: Defense of U.S. Agriculture and Food (1Defense of U.S. Agriculture and Food (1--3030--04)04)

Secretaries of Interior, Agriculture, Health and Human Secretaries of Interior, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and Administrator of EPAServices, and Administrator of EPA … … shall build onshall build onand expand current monitoring and surveillance toand expand current monitoring and surveillance to ::

Develop robust, comprehensive, and fully coordinated Develop robust, comprehensive, and fully coordinated surveillance and monitoring systemssurveillance and monitoring systems, including , including international information, for animal disease, plant international information, for animal disease, plant disease, wildlife disease, food, public health, and water disease, wildlife disease, food, public health, and water quality that provides early detection and awareness of quality that provides early detection and awareness of disease, pest, or poisonous agents;disease, pest, or poisonous agents;Develop nationwide laboratory networksDevelop nationwide laboratory networks for food, for food, veterinary, plant health, and water quality that integrate veterinary, plant health, and water quality that integrate existing Federal and State laboratory resources, are existing Federal and State laboratory resources, are interconnected, and utilize standardized diagnostic interconnected, and utilize standardized diagnostic protocols and procedures.protocols and procedures.

Food Emergency Food Emergency Response Network Response Network

(FERN)(FERN)U.S. Department of Agriculture/FSISU.S. Department of Agriculture/FSISU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationU.S. Food and Drug Administration

FERN MissionFERN Mission

MissionMission -- Integrate the nation’s foodIntegrate the nation’s food--testing laboratories for the detection of testing laboratories for the detection of threat agents in food at the local, state, threat agents in food at the local, state, and federal levels.and federal levels.

ScopeScope –– chemical, biological, radiologicalchemical, biological, radiologicaldisciplines involving full range of food disciplines involving full range of food commoditiescommodities

FERN ObjectivesFERN ObjectivesPreventionPrevention –– federal/state sampling federal/state sampling programsprograms

PreparednessPreparedness –– strengthening lab strengthening lab capabilities/capacitiescapabilities/capacities

ResponseResponse –– surge capacitysurge capacity

RecoveryRecovery –– provide assurance to the provide assurance to the consumerconsumer

FERN Organizational StructureFERN Organizational Structure

National Program

Office

Steering Committee

FERN Support

Programs

Co-Chairs

NortheastRegional

Coordination Center

SoutheastRegional

Coordination Center

CentralRegional

Coordination Center

SouthwestRegional

Coordination Center

PacificRegional

Coordination Center

FSIS/FERN ReorganizationFSIS/FERN Reorganization

FERN Program SupportBranch

BSL-3 high containment

lab

Regional Coordination

CenterPersonnel

Regional Coordination

CenterPersonnel

FERN Division Office

Biol. Threat Analysis Branch

Regional Coordination

CenterPersonnel

Regional Coordination

CenterPersonnel

Regional Coordination

CenterPersonnel

Regional Coordination

CenterPersonnel

FERN National Program Office FERN National Program Office (FERN NPO)(FERN NPO)

CoCo--located in Rockville, MD and Athens, GAlocated in Rockville, MD and Athens, GA

Responsible for day to day operation of FERNResponsible for day to day operation of FERN

Manage and coordinate FERN Support ProgramsManage and coordinate FERN Support Programs

Coordinate the national emergency responseCoordinate the national emergency response

Coordinate Regional Coordination Center (RCC) Coordinate Regional Coordination Center (RCC) activitiesactivities

Regional CoordinationRegional CoordinationFERN NPO has held 3 Regional Meetings and 2 FERN NPO has held 3 Regional Meetings and 2 are planned for 2005.are planned for 2005.

Purpose:Purpose:–– Establish operational/communication guidelines within Establish operational/communication guidelines within

each FERN regional hubeach FERN regional hub–– Communicate FERN objective, policies and current Communicate FERN objective, policies and current

activitiesactivities–– Enhance collaboration between FERN laboratories Enhance collaboration between FERN laboratories

within a regionwithin a region–– Provide an opportunity for individual regions to tailor Provide an opportunity for individual regions to tailor

response plansresponse plans

FERN Organizational StructureFERN Organizational Structure

National Program

Office

Steering Committee

FERN Support

Programs

Co-Chairs

NortheastRegional

Coordination Center

SoutheastRegional

Coordination Center

CentralRegional

Coordination Center

SouthwestRegional

Coordination Center

PacificRegional

Coordination Center

Regional Coordination Centers Regional Coordination Centers (RCCs)(RCCs)

Five RCCs are located through the U.S. and are Five RCCs are located through the U.S. and are staffed by FDA and USDA. staffed by FDA and USDA.

Ensure adequate screening, confirmatory and Ensure adequate screening, confirmatory and forensic capacity within the regionforensic capacity within the region

Identify needs of the region and convey those needs Identify needs of the region and convey those needs to the NPOto the NPO

Coordinate regional response of laboratories during Coordinate regional response of laboratories during an emergencyan emergency

FERN MembersFERN Members99 Laboratories representing 44 States and Puerto Rico 99 Laboratories representing 44 States and Puerto Rico have satisfactorily completed FERN Laboratory have satisfactorily completed FERN Laboratory Qualification Checklists.Qualification Checklists.

26 Federal (FDA, USDA FSIS, APHIS, AMS, DOE,26 Federal (FDA, USDA FSIS, APHIS, AMS, DOE,DHS, CBP, DOD); DHS, CBP, DOD);

68 State/territory68 State/territory5 Local5 Local–– 28 Public Health28 Public Health–– 21 Agricultural21 Agricultural–– 5 Environmental5 Environmental–– 6 Veterinary Diagnostic6 Veterinary Diagnostic–– 5 Other5 Other–– Disciplines Disciplines –– 69 Chemical; 73 Microbiological; 26 69 Chemical; 73 Microbiological; 26

RadiologicalRadiological

Food Emergency Response NetworkFood Emergency Response NetworkUSDA & FDA Laboratory ParticipantsUSDA & FDA Laboratory Participants

FDA PRLFDA PRL-- NW NW Seattle, (Bothell)Seattle, (Bothell) WAWA

FDA San Francisco Dist. LabFDA San Francisco Dist. LabSan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA

FDA SRL FDA SRL Atlanta, GAAtlanta, GA

FDA ARLFDA ARLJefferson, ARJefferson, AR

FDA Kansas District LabFDA Kansas District LabLenexa, KSLenexa, KS FDA FCC FDA FCC

Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH

FDA WEACFDA WEACWinchester, MAWinchester, MA

USDAUSDA FSIS Lab FSIS Lab

Alameda, CA

FDA PRLFDA PRL--SWSWIrvine, CAIrvine, CA

FDA NRL FDA NRL Jamaica, NYJamaica, NY

Alameda, CA

USDAUSDA FSIS Lab FSIS Lab

Athens, GA, GA

FDA Denver District LabFDA Denver District LabDenver, CODenver, CO

USDAUSDA FSIS Lab FSIS Lab

St. Louis, MO

FERN Organizational StructureFERN Organizational Structure

National Program

Office

Steering Committee

FERN Support

Programs

Co-Chairs

NortheastRegional

Coordination Center

SoutheastRegional

Coordination Center

CentralRegional

Coordination Center

SouthwestRegional

Coordination Center

PacificRegional

Coordination Center

FERN Support ProgramsFERN Support Programs

Laboratory OutreachLaboratory Outreach

Method Development/Validation Method Development/Validation

TrainingTraining

Proficiency TestingProficiency Testing

MonitoringMonitoring

Electronic communicationsElectronic communications

Methods Development/ValidationMethods Development/Validation

Standard Operating Procedure for FERN Standard Operating Procedure for FERN Methods Evaluation has been established and Methods Evaluation has been established and has been posted on eLEXNET.has been posted on eLEXNET.

–– Process ensures methods will provide consistent Process ensures methods will provide consistent repeatable results in food matricesrepeatable results in food matrices

–– Collaborative efforts will provide effective means to Collaborative efforts will provide effective means to evaluate potential FERN Methods.evaluate potential FERN Methods.

–– FERN Methods shared with LRN.FERN Methods shared with LRN.

TrainingTrainingDeveloped a training plan which includes both webDeveloped a training plan which includes both web--based and facebased and face--toto--face training on methodsface training on methods

Recent training done by FERN includes:Recent training done by FERN includes:

–– Real time PCR training Real time PCR training –– August 2004 (35 August 2004 (35 Federal, State and Local participants)Federal, State and Local participants)

–– B. anthracis B. anthracis andand Salmonella Salmonella training training –– Aug 2004 Aug 2004 (13 Federal and state participants)(13 Federal and state participants)

Proficiency TestingProficiency TestingStandard Operating Procedures developed by FERN subStandard Operating Procedures developed by FERN sub--committee.committee.–– Process ensures participating laboratories can demonstrate abiliProcess ensures participating laboratories can demonstrate ability ty

to successfully conduct the analysis of CT samples.to successfully conduct the analysis of CT samples.

Microbiological PT sample for Microbiological PT sample for Bacillus anthracisBacillus anthracis issued issued November 29, 2004. November 29, 2004. This was a joint PT sample with This was a joint PT sample with LRN involving 66 laboratories. LRN involving 66 laboratories.

Radiological PT sample for Cesium issued December 6, Radiological PT sample for Cesium issued December 6, 2004 to 25 laboratories. 2004 to 25 laboratories.

Chemical PT sample for Colchicine was issued February Chemical PT sample for Colchicine was issued February 14, 2005 to 35 chemistry laboratories with LC/MS 14, 2005 to 35 chemistry laboratories with LC/MS capabilitiescapabilities

MonitoringMonitoring

April 2004, 18 Federal and State laboratories April 2004, 18 Federal and State laboratories received samples for Microbiological and Chemical received samples for Microbiological and Chemical analyses.analyses.–– Practiced coordination and communication protocolsPracticed coordination and communication protocols–– Evaluated sample preparation, transportation, receipt, and Evaluated sample preparation, transportation, receipt, and

timeframes.timeframes.–– Method identificationMethod identification–– Data entry in to eLEXNETData entry in to eLEXNET

September 8, 2004 with 40 participating Federal and September 8, 2004 with 40 participating Federal and State laboratories. State laboratories. –– Assessed the effectiveness and capabilities of the FERN Assessed the effectiveness and capabilities of the FERN

ChemChem/Micro and /Micro and RadRad laboratorieslaboratories

Electronic CommunicationElectronic CommunicationThe data capture and exchange mechanism for the FERN is the The data capture and exchange mechanism for the FERN is the Electronic Laboratory Exchange Network (eLEXNET).Electronic Laboratory Exchange Network (eLEXNET).

FERN Uses eLEXNET for Collaboration & Data Sharing:FERN Uses eLEXNET for Collaboration & Data Sharing:–– FERN National Program Office shares current information, FERN National Program Office shares current information,

meeting minutes, documentation, and guidance informationmeeting minutes, documentation, and guidance information

–– FERN Subcommittees conduct discussions, disseminate FERN Subcommittees conduct discussions, disseminate information, and develop documentationinformation, and develop documentation

–– FERN Methods Repository on eLEXNETFERN Methods Repository on eLEXNET

–– Participants can review information on samples that have Participants can review information on samples that have been submitted by eLEXNET’s participating laboratoriesbeen submitted by eLEXNET’s participating laboratories

–– FERN Surveillance Assignments: FERN related data can be FERN Surveillance Assignments: FERN related data can be captured and reported independentlycaptured and reported independently

FSIS Cooperative AgreementFSIS Cooperative AgreementSummary of important information from the announcement: AnnounceSummary of important information from the announcement: Announcement Date: April 20,2005 ment Date: April 20,2005 Proposal Submittal Due Date: June 20,2005 FERN Funding is Area 5Proposal Submittal Due Date: June 20,2005 FERN Funding is Area 5 in the announcement in the announcement Funding is to support FERN Microbiological testing capacitiesFunding is to support FERN Microbiological testing capacities

http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/frhttp://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr--cont.htmlcont.html

Submit Proposals to: Submit Proposals to: Wayne Ziemer Wayne Ziemer Staff OfficerStaff OfficerFSIS, FERNFSIS, FERN950 College Station Road950 College Station RoadAthens, GA 30605Athens, GA 30605706706--546546--3591 (ph)3591 (ph)706706--546546--3518 (fax)3518 (fax)wayne.ziemer@fsis.usda.govwayne.ziemer@fsis.usda.gov

For Further Information Contact: For Further Information Contact: Frankie J. BeacornFrankie J. BeacornStaff OfficerStaff OfficerUSDA, FSIS, OPHS, Food Emergency Response Network Division BioloUSDA, FSIS, OPHS, Food Emergency Response Network Division Biological Food Security and gical Food Security and

Emergency BranchEmergency Branch950 College Station Rd. Athens, GA 30605950 College Station Rd. Athens, GA 30605Phone: 706 546 3578Phone: 706 546 3578Fax: 706 546 3518Fax: 706 546 3518Frankie.beacorn@fsis.usda.govFrankie.beacorn@fsis.usda.gov

FERN’s Integration with Other FERN’s Integration with Other NetworksNetworks

Food

FERN

Animal

NAHLN

Human Health

LRN

Plants

NPDN

Environmental

eLRN

Laboratory NetworksLaboratory Networks

Food Emergency Response NetworkFood Emergency Response NetworkLaboratory Response NetworkLaboratory Response NetworkNational Animal Health Laboratory National Animal Health Laboratory NetworkNetworkNational Plant Diagnostic NetworkNational Plant Diagnostic NetworkEnvironmental Network (proposed)Environmental Network (proposed)