HomeMy Public PortalAboutAnimal Services MOA for Rabies ServicesMEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
FOR
CITY OF CRESTVIEW ANIMAL SERVICES RABIES SERVICES
THIS MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA) is made and entered into between
the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa County or Department)
and City of Crestview, Animal Services (Animal Services) for the mutual benefit of parties
involved in the interest of protecting the health and safety of the population of Okaloosa
County and consolidating the rabies control program.
WHEREAS, the Department is responsible for the public health system in Okaloosa
County, which is designed to promote, protect, and improve the health of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the parties would like to collaborate to consolidate the rabies control
program:
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
Recitals: The Parties mutually agree that the foregoing recitals are true and correct
and incorporated herein by reference.
II. Purpose:
A. This MOA delineates responsibility of the Department and the Provider for
activities related to rabies control in the City of Crestview, Florida.
B. This MOA serves as the Scope of Work between the Provider and the Department.
III. Scope:
A. The provisions of this MOA apply to activities to be performed by the Department
and the Provider.
B. No provision in this MOA limits the activities of the Department in performing local
and state functions.
IV. The Florida Department of Health in the City of Crestview responsibilities:
A. Assume responsibility of the City of Crestview Animal Services program regarding
animal bite investigations, as expressed in Chapter 64D-3 of the Florida
Administrative Code and in, the Rabies Control and Prevention in Florida, 2016
Guidebook. Those duties include:
1. Search for and attempt to locate animals involved in the bite attack
once reported to the agency by victims or by health care providers.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
FOR
OKALOOSA COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL RABIES SERVICES
2. Coordinate with the City of Crestview Animal Services to confine
animals not currently vaccinated if owner is unable to meet home
observation guidelines for the duration of the observation period.
DOH-Okaloosa will verify the animal's health at the end of
observation.
3. Observe the animal under confinement for signs of rabies, if
deemed necessary.
4. Enable the removal of any animal heads for rabies testing as
appropriate.
5. Package and ship rabies sample to a Florida Department of Health
branch laboratory.
B. Provide medical consultation regarding anti -rabies treatment for victims.
C. Perform surveillance of post -exposure prophylaxis use and report to the State
Health Office.
D. Notify victims of the rabies test results of submitted animal specimens.
E. Release animal at the end of the confinement period and notify all parties.
F. Aid in a court of law, when needed, with the enforcement of rabies control
regulations.
G. Provide technical assistance regarding animal status determinations.
H. Make available access to rabies guidebooks, legislative material, and other rabies
documents as appropriate.
V. The City of Crestview Animal Services responsibilities:
A. Assume the responsibility of Crestview Animal Services animal rabies control
program regarding animal bite investigations, as expressed in Chapter 64D-3 of
the Florida Administrative Code and in the Rabies Control and Prevention in
Florida 2016 guidebook. Duties related to those responsibilities include:
1. Search for and attempt to locate animals involved in bite attack
once reported to the agency by victims or by DOH-Okaloosa.
2. Notify DOH- Okaloosa of any bites involving humans.
3. Confine animals if unable to be kept on owner observation.
4. Observe animals under observation for signs of rabies.
5. Coordinate with DOH-Okaloosa with removal of specimens for
testing when needed.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
FOR
OKALOOSA COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL RABIES SERVICES
B. Advise DOH-Okaloosa when actions in a court of law are needed to enforce rabies
regulations in the interest of involving both parties to the memorandum in such
actions.
C. Promptly notify DOH-Okaloosa when any of the following occurs:
1. The death of an animal under confinement.
2. The escape of an animal under confinement.
D. Honor FS 381 provisions relative to the confidentiality of animal bite patient records
VI. Both Parties mutually agree to the following: That this Memorandum will not
supersede any applicable laws, rules, or polices of either party.
VII. Term: This Memorandum of Agreement will remain in effect for one year and will
automatically renew for additional one-year periods thereafter until the Memorandum
of Agreement is terminated by either party.
VIII. Termination at will: This MOA may be terminated by either Party without cause upon
no less than thirty (30) calendar days' notice in writing to the other Party unless a
lesser time is mutually agreed upon in writing by both Parties.
IX. Authority: Each individual executing this MOA on behalf of a Party represents and
warrants that he/she has the full power and authority to do so.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this MOA to be executed by their
officials thereunto duly authorized.
Elizabeth Smith, MSN, RN
Administrator
Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County
t0 I ri I as
Date
. Whitten
Mayor
City of Crestview
0-2
Date
ATTEST:
der, City Clerk