News

Public health agency to hold emergency drill

By Bill Moss, Published: February 9, 2016

The Henderson County Department of Public Health will conduct an emergency preparedness full-scale exercise on Wednesday to test its ability to respond to the simulated release of a biological agent in the community.

The exercise involves notifying and deploying staff to set up a Point of Dispensing location to be used to rapidly dispense life-saving medication. Participating agencies include the Emergency Management Office, Emergency Medical Services, the Sheriff's Office, the Mountain Area Trauma Regional Advisory Committee, the Western Regional American Red Cross and the Regional and State Public Health Preparedness Offices.
The exercise will take place at the Department of Public Health, and services will be limited. The exercise is not open to the general public.
"The Department of Public Health, with the aid of our partners, is responsible for developing and executing plans to mass dispense life-saving medicine in response to public health emergencies," said Terri Arrington, preparedness coordinator. "This exercise will demonstrate our capabilities and resources to protect the health and safety of all Henderson County citizens during a public health event, whether it's a communicable disease outbreak or bioterrorism."
Specific capabilities to be tested included public information, emergency operations coordination, security and medication distribution. The exercise will also reveal critical gaps in the emergency response plan that can be corrected with additional planning or changes in policy.
For more information about the exercise or public health preparedness, contact Terri Arrington, preparedness coordinator, at 828-694-6038.