Emergency Drill Tests Preparedness

Mohave County
Department of PUBLIC HEALTH
700 W. Beale Street, Kingman AZ

Emergency Drill Tests Preparedness – Volunteers Needed!

July 24, 2003 (Mohave County, Kingman) -- The Mohave County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) held a department-wide Bioterrorism training on Friday, July 18. Members of the LaPaz County Health Department also participated in the training. Goals for the day were for staff to understand their roles in public health emergencies, to become familiar with the emergency response plan, and to complete Columbia University’s training “Emergency Preparedness Core Competencies for All Public Health Workers”. To lighten the mood of the day, staff members also gave a “fashion show” of various biological suits. (see photo) The afternoon was spent with staff from the Arizona Department of Health Services in a smallpox tabletop drill with David Engelthaler, ADHS Bioterrorism Office Chief, facilitating. MCDPH is required to conduct drills as part of our bioterrorism response - this drill tested staff response to a smallpox scenario. The drill involved two smallpox cases in the county that brought world attention and set off a chain of events throughout the country. At the conclusion of the drill, staff had a greater understanding of their involvement in a public health emergency and that their role during an emergency may be very different from their daily duties. The need for volunteers was also identified. According to Health Director Patty Mead, “What always becomes clear when we talk about public health emergencies is our need for volunteers.” Both medical and general help would be necessary for us to meet the needs of emergency response. Volunteer applications can be received by calling 928-753-0743 or they can be downloaded from www.HealthELinks.com.

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