For Immediate Release:
June 14, 2006

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

State and local public health agencies and hospitals conduct Strategic National Stockpile exercise in Southwest Missouri to prepare for bioterrorist event

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is conducting a joint emergency response Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) exercise today in Springfield in order to demonstrate and improve the region's ability to save lives after a bioterrorist attack. In the event of a bioterrorist attack or large-scale crisis, state and local public health agencies must be prepared to quickly distribute mass quantities of lifesaving pharmaceuticals, antidotes, vaccines and other medical supplies to more than 800,000 in the Southwest Missouri's Region D area. The Missouri state health department, four local public health agencies in the Region D area, and three hospitals joined forces to test their plans for mass distribution of these medications to the public.

The federal government established the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) program to deliver large and continuous quantities of medical items to the site of a national emergency within 12 hours. During an emergency, state, local and private stocks of medical materiel could be depleted quickly. Therefore, the SNS Program stands ready for immediate deployment to any U.S. location in the event of a national emergency. Each 12-hour Push Package contains an assortment of medical products to help in a variety of possible biological, chemical or nuclear terrorism events. If additional pharmaceuticals and medical supplies are needed, the Managed Inventory (MI) supplies will be shipped to arrive within 24 to 36 hours. The Managed Inventory can also be tailored to provide specific pharmaceuticals, supplies or products and serve as the first option for immediate response.

Governor Matt Blunt has directed state agencies to work together to prepare Missouri for any type of emergency, and has commended the department for improving its ability to respond through exercises and drills.

“The keys to being prepared are good planning and frequent and realistic practice,” said Julia M. Eckstein, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. “Today's exercise is one example of the steps the state is taking to ensure a safer, more secure Missouri.”

“All of us have been working hard and have plans in place to ensure that during an emergency we are ready to receive and distribute the Strategic National Stockpile and dispense the medications to residents quickly,” Eckstein added.

The Missouri state health department not only tested its ability to receive, repackage and distribute the Strategic National Stockpile 12-hour Push Package and the Managed Inventory shipment, but local public health agencies practiced how to quickly dispense these medications to the public. Three area hospitals also participated and provided mock medications to their first responder staff.

“Missouri has already taken significant steps to prepare for public health emergencies, including improved disease investigation, laboratory testing and public health and medical care response capabilities,” Eckstein said. “The Strategic National Stockpile exercise held today is one key component of the state's emergency preparedness efforts.” During the past two years, full-scale SNS exercises have been held in Kansas City and St. Louis. This year's exercise is testing additional components, such as the Volunteer Reception Center that will provide on-site training to volunteers who are willing to assist during an emergency, workforce shift changes, logistics for the Push Package and Managed Inventory shipments, an automated inventory system, and coordination with the state's emergency operation center.

“The key for us is to continue looking for ways to improve our ability to protect the health of our citizens,” Eckstein added. “This training will help us to be better prepared and make us more aware of our roles, responsibilities and the teamwork needed to successfully help save lives during a public health emergency.

As part of today's exercise, all 20 local public health departments in southwest Missouri's Region D are participating with the four local public health agencies (Springfield-Greene County Health Department, Taney County Health Department, Cedar County Health Department and Joplin City Health Department) to open five point of dispensing sites. These sites will be staffed by approximately 500 personnel from partner agencies throughout the region and by Community Heroes volunteers. More than 110 state health department staff are working at the Receiving, Storage and Staging site, and approximately 435 participants will serve as role players today at the dispensing sites. In addition, three hospitals (St. John's Health Systems and CoxHealth, Springfield; and Skaggs Community Health Center, Branson) will be opening dispensing sites for first responders.

“As we conduct these exercises throughout the state, we realize how important it is that we have developed strong partnerships at the federal, state and local levels,” Eckstein said. “Our department is coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local public health agencies, hospitals, schools, law enforcement, emergency responders, private industry, other state and local government agencies and citizen volunteers. We share a joint mission of protecting our citizens during an emergency, and today's efforts illustrate how important it is that we continue working together and building these partnerships.”