It seems that starting in Jan.2009 there will be drills and exercises for PODs to respond to CRI-like scenerios. This is part of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan.
POD (Point of Dispensing) locations are where the public or certain other groups would go to receive life saving antibiotics or other medical during a large scale public health emergency.
Apparently this is an operation to align with the CRI (Cities Readiness Initiative) to prepare metro areas to dispense to the entire community within 48 hours.
From what I gather the "faith based community" is being enlisted to assist in communications with the at risk populations.
I think it may be referred to as "first strike". The POD plans are well integrated with federal, state and local emergency management.
Should there be an emergency....these sites to dispense antibiotics will include places like schools, firestations, "faith based" meeting places, large parking lots, etc.
Because of this being an emergency situation, rules have been relaxed. Non medically licensed personnel can perform POD functions.
Some facets of the drills and exercises include a call down drill. This would verify the accuracy of names and contact info on the list. Also helps to establish back up staff. Will help determine time factors, availibility, etc.
Some exercises will use a sampling method instead of entire list. Also there must be organization for crowd and traffic control; parking attendents.
POD must meet certain criteria according to CDC guidance.
Because many of these drills are to be held in MSA's (Metro Statistical Areas=pop. 3 million+) and because antibiotics must be distributed to all qualifying population within 48 hours, available resources for this procedure should be available within a two mile location of every community.
So anyway, I am just wondering, do you think the KH would participate in something like this? If so, would it be strictly for their membership? Or is it possible they would include the rest of the community?
...OUTLAW