PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND PREPAREDNESS HOSTS FULL-SCALE ANTHRAX EXERCISE

DOVER (May 22, 2014) - The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness section hosted a real-time, operations-based Receipt, Stage, and Store (RSS) warehouse exercise on May 13, 2014. The exercise was based on a fictional anthrax release at Dover Downs on race day, and is part of a multi-year practice drill series designed to enhance Delaware's public health response.

The successful, full-scale exercise focused on warehouse operations receiving packages from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). The SNS is medicine and medical supplies stored in strategic locations around the nation in order to support multiple state and local health departments in a severe health emergency. These assets are ready to be shipped and delivered anywhere within the United States within 12 hours of the deployment order.

The DPH exercise planning team requested SNS training materials be shipped to an RSS site in Delaware, where the materials were then successfully processed for re-distribution. The exercise evaluation will be used for improvements to the public health preparedness program. The continuing focus for these exercises is to mitigate the effect of public health emergencies. Federal, state, and local stakeholders are encouraged to participate with DPH in future events. For more information about the exercise schedule, visit www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/php/excalendar.html.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.