September recognized at National Preparedness Month

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — The Livingston County Department of Health works daily preparing to keep residents safe during an emergency, whether natural or man-made, and this summer, the department geared up for September, or “National Preparedness Month.”

In order to prepare, the Livingston County Department of Health’s Disaster Response Team (DRT) tested the County Sheltering Plan on July 26. The DRT was activated and support personnel joined efforts in testing the plan along with the new Clinical Data Management System (CDMS) forms that will be used as part of the flu clinics this year.

Traditionally, the American Red Cross manages shelters; the Health Department collaborates with the Red Cross to provide medical support, if needed, in the event of an emergency. In the drill scenario, residents had to leave their homes due to flooding, and lack of power or heat. The drill also included medication dispensing due to a hypothetical public health risk of leptospirosis from contaminated water sources. This drill utilized not only American Red Cross and its volunteers, but the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers and local residents. As a result, The Livingston County Department of Health gained an increase in awareness of sheltering operations and preparedness. The drill was a learning experience for all involved. The department will continue to make prepartions for emergency responses and retest the plan in the future. The department thanks all who participated in the drill.

According to the department, individuals, as well as agencies, need to be prepared for emergencies. Public Health Director Joan Ellison urges everyone to have staples, water, and flashlights with batteries, medications, and essential items available if an emergency occurs.

Please visit http://www.co.livingston.state.ny.us/doh.htm for more information on how to be prepared. Those who would like to be a part of the MRC and assist during emergencies, should visit www.gvhp.org and click on “our projects.”