Preparing for Anthrax in Metro-Atlanta

No - it has not happened yet, but just in case...

On Wednesday, 22nd of May, the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments hosted a tabletop exercise involving the intentional release of Anthrax into our community.

In response to this public health emergency, Point of Dispensing (POD) sites will open to provide life-saving medications to all residents.

To be successful, this operation will require the coordinated efforts of our entire community, including members of the healthcare coalition, mental health services, county emergency management, law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services and volunteer organizations.
 
Elements discussed during the exercise included:

•     alert and notification processes,
•     information sharing and situational awareness development,
•     how an act of terrorism impacts all emergency response efforts,
•     who will receive emergency medications first,
•     will certain populations be prioritized,
•     which facilities and organizations can dispense medications,
•     who can administer Anthrax vaccinations,
•     dispensing site activation processes,
•     public information coordination,
•     mental and behavioral health roles during a crisis,
•     medication adherence,
•     medical surge issues,
•     medical transport,
•     safety and security issues,
•     traffic control,
•     how to maintain tactical communications,
•     and a whole lot more!

Leaders of different faiths worshiping in Gwinnett, Newton & Rockdale counties are key in helping save thousands of  lives in our metro-Atlanta communities. These organizations can sign up to be a closed or hybrid POD organization that can administer life saving medications when a public health threat occurs. 

Check out how the Sugar Hill Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints learned how to be a HYBRID POD last year.

Click this link if you are interested in exploring how your organization can learn how to dispense these life-saving medications in your congregation and possibly to your neighbors in the community.