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On June 17, 2020, every public health agency in Minnesota will conduct a Point of Dispensing ("POD") exercise. Just as in 2015, we will be looking for volunteers to make this event a success. Possible roles include:
- Greeting and directing individuals who enter the POD ("triage")
- Assisting individuals in completing a screening form ("screening")
- Reviewing forms for completeness and dispensing appropriate medication ("dispensing")
- Walking through the site yourself (as an actor)
- Helping with logistics (set up and tear down) the day of the exercise
By Amanda Lemke, MRC Coordinator, City of Bloomington
Each public health agency in Minnesota maintains plans for dispensing medication (pills or vaccine) as well as other medical supplies to our residents. The location where dispensing occurs is usually called a point of dispensing, or "POD."
PODs are utilized for threats that have a high death rate (i.e., anthrax) and where a quick response is critical. By providing prophylactic medication to individuals who were exposed to a biological threat, we can reduce their likelihood of illness or death.
A POD is…
- Typically a public facility, such as a school, community center, or place of worship
- Where healthy people receive preventative medications or vaccinations
A POD is NOT….
- A medical clinic to treat sick individuals
- Staffed strictly by medical professionals
- Designed to provide in-depth or individualized consultation services
PODs are designed to be flexible enough to address a variety of incidents and will always require volunteers to operate. When an event occurs, you will receive a message similar to the one you received today, asking you to report to a specific location. You should never self-deploy to an incident.
Prepare for the Exercise
Do you want to participate in the Statewide Full-Scale Exercise in June 2020? Here are ways you can make sure you’re ready:
- Update your MN Responds account (Check out the link: How to Update Your Account and email me with any questions).
- Include any relevant emergency preparedness training you’ve taken
- Update all licenses and professional certifications
- Make sure all your contact information is up to date and in the order you wish to be contacted (i.e. Text message, phone call, email)
If you have questions or concerns, please contact me directly. With all best wishes for the new year,
Laura Andersen
Health Protection Manager, Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health
laura.andersen@co.ramsey.mn.us
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