Listen

DHSS Press Release

Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Pager 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Date: June 14, 2018
DHSS-06-2018

DPH TO HOLD MASS CARE FULL-SCALE EXERCISE AT SUSSEX CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL JUNE 19-20, 2018

GEORGETOWN (June 14, 2018) - The Division of Public Health (DPH) Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Section (EMSPS) will host a two-day, operations-based exercise on Tuesday, June 19, and Wednesday, June 20, at Sussex Central High School, 26026 Patriots Way, Georgetown. The purpose of the exercise is to test the division's ability to operate a shelter for residents who may be displaced or unable to occupy their homes in the event of a disaster.

Area residents will notice DPH staff and emergency vehicles at the Sussex Central High School campus in Georgetown during this two-day timeframe, but should be advised that activities taking place are simulation only, and should not to be mistaken for a real-life event. A site survey and exercise preparation will take place from noon to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 19, and the full exercise will run from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 20.

This full-scale exercise is one of several emergency planning events that are designed to test public health responsibilities during mass care operations. This exercise focuses on the mass care shelter components of a response. The exercise planning team will test several capabilities relating to staff notification, intelligence sharing, and Medical Reserve Corps training. Testing all functions simultaneously will provide evaluators with an accurate assessment of response plans and responders.

"This is a vitally important exercise as it will test our staff's readiness to assemble and effectively run a shelter in the event of an actual emergency," said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. "Our commitment to keeping all Delawareans safe during a disaster is a top priority and one we take seriously. I look forward to a successful exercise over the course of these two days."

DPH will incorporate the lessons learned from this exercise into existing plans to improve future responses. A critical area during exercises such as this one is to train with partner agencies identified as having a responsibility in emergency planning. DPH continues to partner with federal, state, and local stakeholders to prepare for a seamless response during future events.

For more information about the EMSPS exercise schedule, visit http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/php/excalendar.html.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person's spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com

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, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

DPH TO HOLD MASS CARE FULL-SCALE EXERCISE AT SUSSEX CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL JUNE 19-20, 2018

Delaware's Government