The Rutherford Polk McDowell Health District along with Polk County Emergency Management will be conducting an emergency response exercise on Feb. 11, at Polk County High School. The exercise is expected to begin at 9:30 a.m. The Medical Counter Measures exercise will notify and deploy over 90 health district employees and many other multi county agencies.  Polk County High School will serve as a point of dispensing site that will be used to rapidly dispense lifesaving medication in the event of an emergency.

 

“The Rutherford Polk McDowell Health District is responsible for developing and executing plans for the mass dispensing of lifesaving medicine in response to public health emergencies,” said Karen Powell, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator of the Health District.  “This exercise demonstrates our commitment to ensuring we have the capability and resources to protect the health and safety of Rutherford Polk and McDowell communities in a time of crisis.”

 

The exercise is a full scale exercise, meaning the Health District is physically executing multiple elements of their response plan.  By conducting the exercise in this way, the Health District can review each piece of their emergency response plan and learn critical gaps that can be corrected with additional planning or changes in policy.

 

“This exercise is an important part of ensuring the readiness of our three county Health District and other agencies to work together to protect and preserve the safety, health and well-being of all citizens in a county wide emergency,” said Health Director James Hines Jr.   “Ensuring the safety and security of our communities is always a priority and we are committed to taking all necessary steps to achieve this.”

 

“It is our responsibility to make sure that Rutherford County is prepared for the variety of hazards we may face, from winter weather, tornadoes to a public health incident,” said Emergency Manager Roger Hollifield.  “Exercises like this one with the Rutherford Polk McDowell Health District help to better prepare all counties responding agencies for emergencies.”

 

Public Health Preparedness has played an important role in the health and well-being of all citizens of Rutherford Polk and McDowell counties since 9/11 and the 2001 Anthrax attacks.  There have also been naturally occurring disease outbreaks, such as the H1N1 flu virus, Ebola, and natural disasters.  This exercise will build on the capabilities that have developed to respond to public health emergencies.

-Submitted by Yanet Cisneros