SALUDA, Va. — The Three Rivers Health District, in partnership with Rappahannock Community College, the counties of Richmond and Gloucester and Middle Peninsula Northern Neck Behavioral Health are conducting a Point of Dispensing (POD) exercise on May 1 as part of the Virginia Department of Health’s Requisite Cardinal, a biological event exercise.
“Practicing ensures that we can protect the community in the quickest and most efficient way possible during a real emergency,” said Tatiana Pedroza, local emergency coordinator for the Three Rivers Health District.
The purpose of the exercise is to evaluate various aspects of a public health response to a biological incident. In this year’s scenario, VDH’s response to a simulated novel influenza (flu) A virus. Virginia is at risk for biological events caused naturally such as, flu, measles, or by a terrorist attack. The local Health District is one of about 20 local health districts participating.
The goal of the exercise is to strengthen coordination among multiple agencies, enhance operational readiness and ensure an effective, unified response to major incidents that could impact the community. One key objective is to demonstrate the capability to dispense medications or vaccines to the public quickly and efficiently.
This exercise emphasizes the commitment of the Three Rivers Health District and our local community partners to emergency preparedness and community safety.
The exercises will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Rappahannock Community College Warsaw campus exercise and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Glenns campus.
