Mass Dispensing Area 31 Volunteer Website

February 2008

For the past six years, planning for bioterrorist and large scale health and natural emergencies has been a major focus for municipalities across this country.  In Connecticut, this planning effort has been directed by local health departments following the specific goals and objectives developed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health.  Plans have been developed for responding to and immunizing our entire populations against smallpox, pandemic flu, and anthrax, and these plans have been drilled and tested on a local, regional and statewide basis.  As we continue through our sixth year of planning, our major emphasis will be on three elements:  drilling and exercising plans on a local and regional level; formally assessing the plans that have been developed using a Technical Assistance Review tool (TAR) developed by the CDC; and training staff and volunteers on the specifics of distributing vaccine and medications to all segments of our population.

Toward this latter point of “distributing vaccine and medications,” the major focus has been on how best to locate, open and operate a clinic site and on the most efficient ways to get people to, from and through these clinics.  This process is termed a “pull” model, that is, getting people to and through our clinic sites quickly and efficiently.  However, over the past two years, rather than focusing on how to get people to and through our clinics, focus has been directed on how to get medications and vaccines out to our residents, a “push” model.  The theory behind the “push” model is that by delivering medications to residents rather than having residents coming to clinic sites, disruption and confusion are reduced, the pressures on security are lessened, and volunteer efficiency is improved.  This “push” model approach was initially tested in Connecticut in 2004 by MDA #31 and the Capital Region Emergency Planning Committee (CREPC).  Since that initial test, various approaches to the “push” model have been tested nationally resulting in a more firm belief that using “push” and “pull” approaches in tandem may be the best way to get medications and vaccines to all segments of our community in a quick and efficient manner.  You will hear more about these approaches in the coming months at our various training sessions.

Finally, I want to strongly encourage everyone in both communities to learn as much as they can about being prepared and participating in the various training opportunities offered by our federal, state and local partners. The time to be prepared is prior to an event, not when the event is upon us.  Later in this newsletter, Allyson Schulz, MDA #31’s Public Health Preparedness Coordinator, lists ways in which you can become informed and participate in our planning process.  Please take advantage of these various opportunities by reading, training, volunteering and asking questions.

Charles J. Petrillo, Jr., Dr.PH

Regional Clinic Coordinator