Press Release
APRIL 4th, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
CONTACT: TIM O’CONNOR
PHONE:561-355-3576
FAX:561- 355-3038
Dianne Laubert
561-375-6667
|
PALM BEACH
COUNTY, FL-The role of
public health has expanded
in recent years and the Palm
Beach County Health
Department and its community
partners like United Way of
Palm Beach County, American
Red Cross, Palm Beach County
Division of Emergency
Management, businesses,
municipalities and other
first responders have joined
together to create a network
that will assist all people
in a mass emergency.
In 2006 the Palm Beach County Health Department was
designated a Cities
Readiness Initiative (CRI)
and charged with the task of
being able to reach, treat
and assist with the health
needs of all 1.3 million
residents in a 48 hour
period. Each situation will
be different. Some will
require quick education on
home treatment, available
hospitals, alternate
shelters and locations for
aid like the start of an
influenza event. Should a
chemical or biological
release (smallpox or
Anthrax) occur it would
require centers to be open
throughout the county that
could triage, treat and
dispense medications.
“These plans are only as good as the people who will be
getting involved,” commented
Health Department
Preparedness Coordinator, Al
Grasso. “We are challenging
our community to come
forward and volunteer now so
we can be ready in the
future.”
The Health Department has identified the need for 45
locations that would be
activated in an emergency.
Each of those sites could
dispense medications to
about 600 people per hour
over a two day period.
Manpower is of the utmost
importance as it is
estimated to take 6,000
volunteers working along
side pre-assigned first
responders to make this a
success.
Persons interested in volunteering will need to pre-register
through the United Way’s
Volunteer program. All will
receive training and be put
on a priority list, along
with their immediate family,
to receive medications
before the activation of the
dispensing sites.
“The jobs are varied and include staging, educating,
managing, writing,
communicating, handling
supplies and just being
there for your friends and
neighbors,” said Grasso.
Persons interested in volunteering should be 18 years or
older, understand English
but may also speak other
languages like Spanish,
Portuguese, or Creole. For
information or to sign-up as
a volunteer, call United
Way’s Volunteer Center at
(561)375-6685 or visit
www.unitedwaypbc.org.
In keywords type
“preparedness” to find the
volunteer opportunity. The
Health Department
Preparedness Office is at
561-355-3524 or
www.pbchd.com.
<<
Back to Press
|
