In the case of an epidemic – or a major bioterrorist attack or industrial accident – thousands of Hudson County residents would need medical supplies.
This week, county officials will orchestrate an exercise that will test how prepared county and local workers are when facing such a serious task.
On Sunday, April 18, from noon to 3 p.m., the Galaxy Mall, located between 69th and 70th Streets on JFK Boulevard East in Guttenberg, will be turned into a Point of Dispensing Site (PODS).
The Hudson Regional Health Commission, in conjunction with the Hudson County Office of Emergency Management and the towns of Guttenberg, North Bergen, Union City, and West New York, are organizing the PODS drill, the first to be done in North Hudson.
“If you would like to make a little contribution to your community, here is the opportunity.” – Gerald Drasheff
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Around 50 of the Medical Reserve Corps members will be present next week, but the drill needs more volunteers.
Need volunteers
County OEM Coordinator and Guttenberg Mayor Gerald Drasheff said that the event relies on members of the public volunteering their time.
While the OEM and Hudson Regional Health Commission have passed out volunteer forms, they have received very few back.
He said that hopes around 250 local residents attend.
Volunteers would go through the process of getting emergency “medication” a few times, so that they could see how long the process would take for 1,000 people, said Drasheff. The goal would be to process 1,000 people per hour in the case of an emergency.
He said that those organizing the exercise will also analyze how long a Medical Reserve Corps member should work for, as well as other “bottlenecks” that could be fixed.
Town police and employees, along with other county officials, will be present.
Volunteers will receive an appreciation certificate.
“If you would like to make a little contribution to your community, here is the opportunity,” said Drasheff.
Drasheff said that someday, there could be an actual emergency.
“H1N1 never reached that level, but it could have,” he said.
Making it more efficient
Carrie Nawrocki, Hudson Regional Health Commission epidemiologist and program coordinator, said that the funding for the exercise is coming from several grants for emergency preparedness that the commission receives, although it will mostly go toward food and water for those volunteering their time.
Two previous exercises were completed in Jersey City, said Nawrocki. She said it was an opportunity to test different models for giving out medicines, allowing county planners the chance to streamline the process.
“What they realized was just how much work was involved,” said Drasheff. “[For] the people responsible running the PODS, it was pretty exhausting.”
Officials said that they will not be able to test how efficient they would be if faced with such a disaster unless local residents sign up to participate.
Those interested should contact Christina Butieb-Bianco at the Hudson Regional Health Commission by mrc@hudsoncountyregionalhealth.org or by calling (201) 223-1133.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.