Training Effort Will Increase N.Y. Preparedness

A Multi-agency effort designed to enhance New York State’s readiness to receive and distribute critical medical supplies in the event of a public health emergency will Collaborate with the federal government, New York City and nine counties. The training exercise is being conducted to increase New York State’s readiness to distribute emergency medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in the event of an outbreak, biological attack or other emerging situation that poses a threat to public health.

While this is the first training exercise of its kind to take place in New York State, a series of similar SNS trainings will be held throughout the state over the next several months. These training efforts will build upon the lessons learned in this exercise and further enhance the capacity of state and local agencies and health care providers to quickly identify and effectively respond to naturally occurring or terrorist-related health emergencies.

"New York has had recent ‘real world’ experience in public health emergencies while responding to West Nile virus, September 11th, the anthrax attacks and SARS," Governor Pataki said. "We know the tremendous efforts and capabilities of our first re-sponders in these emergency situations. However, we must continually improve and be prepared for the future. Whatever the nature of an emergency, our public health and health care systems are critical to an effective response and I want to thank all that are involved for participating in this training exercise. These efforts will allow us to be better prepared to maximize our resources to ensure the safety and health of all New Yorkers, should the need ever arise."

Unfolding over several days, the exercise scenario describes the deliberate release of an infectious agent in a shopping mall, resulting in large numbers of hospitalizations and the possibility of widespread illness, leading to deployment of the Strategic Nation-al Stockpile to New York State. Specifically, the training is intended to enhance New York’s ability to request and receive a "Push Package" of medical supplies from the Federal government; break down the package for redistribution to affected areas; and transport necessary resources, such as antibiotics, where they are most needed.

The SNS is a national repository of antibiotics, chemical antidotes, antitoxins, life-support medications, IV administration, airway maintenance supplies, and medical/surgical items. The SNS is designed to supplement and re-supply state and local public health agencies in the event of a national emergency anywhere and at any time within the U.S. or its territories.

Organized for flexible response, the SNS is made available to a state upon the request of the Governor. The 12-hour Push Packages represent the first line of support.

These are caches of pharmaceuticals, antidotes, and medical supplies designed to provide rapid de-livery of a broad spectrum of assets for an ill defined threat in the early hours of an event. These Push

Continued on page 51 Packages are positioned in strategically located, secure warehouses ready for immediate deployment to a designated site within 12 hours of the federal decision to deploy SNS assets.

New York’s well-established Health Information Network (HIN) and Health Provider Network (HPN) provide for a rapid electronic interchange of information among public health officials at all levels, hospitals and health care providers. In addition, through a contract with the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY), the State Health Department is compiling an electronic database listing thousands of physician-volunteers who could respond to a health emergency. The information will be available via the HIN and HPN to enable government leaders and health care professionals throughout New York to quickly identify physicians and their specialty areas, and direct them, through New York’s emergency management systems, to hospitals with the most critical patient care needs.

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