Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.whitecountynewstelegraph.com/articles/2008/10/16/news/news04.txt
Putting a pandemic plan in action
White County Health Department geared up for flu season this week with a pandemic exercise at the White County Middle School gym on Tuesday. Working with local emergency management and fire department personnel, the health department combined annual flu vaccinations with a preparedness drill, giving more than 100 inoculations while practicing and assessing the local plan for mass immunization.
Federal and state health officials have predicted that a large-scale influenza outbreak is probable, but cannot predict when or exactly how many people might be affected.
Local health and emergency officials have been working to prepare and reduce any serious impact on area communities. Earlier this year, local officials began work on a pandemic plan, which currently is being reviewed by the state's public health department. Tuesday's exercise put the plan in practice, local officials reported.
Also involved were the White County Fire Department and the Lee Arrendale State Prison Fire Brigade who prepared a decontamination unit and conducted a mock-up of ?contaminated personnel? as part of the preparedness efforts. Certified fire personnel would be responsible for any HazMat situation should an event occur.
The White County Sheriff's Office provided security as they would during a real incident.
For more information on pandemic preparedness and what you can do for yourself and your family before the flu season arrives, contact the White County Emergency Management Agency at 706-865-9500 or the White County Health Department at 706-865-2191.
Putting a pandemic plan in action
White County Health Department geared up for flu season this week with a pandemic exercise at the White County Middle School gym on Tuesday. Working with local emergency management and fire department personnel, the health department combined annual flu vaccinations with a preparedness drill, giving more than 100 inoculations while practicing and assessing the local plan for mass immunization.
Federal and state health officials have predicted that a large-scale influenza outbreak is probable, but cannot predict when or exactly how many people might be affected.
Local health and emergency officials have been working to prepare and reduce any serious impact on area communities. Earlier this year, local officials began work on a pandemic plan, which currently is being reviewed by the state's public health department. Tuesday's exercise put the plan in practice, local officials reported.
Also involved were the White County Fire Department and the Lee Arrendale State Prison Fire Brigade who prepared a decontamination unit and conducted a mock-up of ?contaminated personnel? as part of the preparedness efforts. Certified fire personnel would be responsible for any HazMat situation should an event occur.
The White County Sheriff's Office provided security as they would during a real incident.
For more information on pandemic preparedness and what you can do for yourself and your family before the flu season arrives, contact the White County Emergency Management Agency at 706-865-9500 or the White County Health Department at 706-865-2191.