Vital component is preparedness training
Will county be prepared in case of flu pandemic?
Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer

At a recent daylong meeting at Purdue University in West LaFayette, nearly 500 people gathered to discuss the possibility of an avian flu pandemic. Gov. Mitch Daniels, State Health Commissioner Dr. Judith Moore, and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt were on hand to talk about what the Hoosier state can do to be ready.

Leavitt told the crowd, “It’s hard to talk about (pandemics) because anything you say before a pandemic happens is alarmist; anything you do after it starts is inadequate.” He went on to say, “We want to inspire people to prepare, not panic.”

It is in that spirit of preparing, not panicking, that the Ripley County Health Department, along with several other agencies, is putting together a plan. Pat Thomas, local public health coordinator assures, “We have a lot of good people working on this. Ripley County responders have been leading the way.”

Thomas has also worked with the LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) since 1987. The LEPC includes police departments, EMS, county commissioners and the health department.

Locally, five sites have been selected to administer vaccines or anti-viral drugs. The health department has a list of health professionals who would assist in voluntarily staffing these clinics. Each site would require approximately 50 staff members.

Thomas reports that the health department is also trying to amass emergency supplies. She stated that right now the department has “bare-bones stockpiles of masks, latex gloves, tissues and walkie-talkies.” A $2,000,000 federal grant for the State of Indiana will be split up between all 92 counties between April and August. That gives each county a very narrow window of time to apply for the emergency provisions it needs.

Ripley County Commissioner, Chuck Folz, gave a short report on the subject at the April 10 commissioners’ meeting. Folz, who attended seminars at Clifty Falls earlier this year concerning the pandemic possibility, informed the group that Ripley County would require approximately $1,000,000 worth of vaccine to protect the population. “I just want the commissioners to be aware of this,” stated Folz.

One of the most vital components of county preparedness is training. Dan Mulford, Deputy Director of the Ripley County Emergency Management Agency, has been conducting classes on NIMS (National Incident Management System) for fire department personnel, EMS, hospital personnel, health department personnel, and local government officials such as Ripley County council members and commissioners. This training is specifically designed to teach the various emergency responders how to coordinate efforts and work effectively as a team.

Scott Huffman, director of EMS, is applying for an “Assistance to Firefighters Grant” from the Department of Homeland Security. The grant would provide a mass casualty trailer with all the medical equipment needed to serve 75 people at a time. The trailer includes its own generator and portable lights system. It also provides a 14x22 inflatable medical tent with its own generator, heating and air-conditioning and lighting package. Huffman said that EMS is applying for this trailer not on the basis of an imminent flu danger, but as a general precaution against all threats including weather-related or accident-related injuries on a major scale. Huffman went on to say, “It will be something we can also offer to surrounding counties.”

Later this year, Ripley County agencies will band together to present a series of town meetings. Along with the Chamber of Commerce, various participants will address these issues and give the public an opportunity to hear first-hand what Ripley County is doing to ensure the population’s health and safety.

According to a pamphlet (available from the Ripley County Health Department) here are some things you can do to prepare for a pandemic.

To prepare at home:
* Make it a habit to fill any prescriptions several days before you run out.
* Help elderly neighbors and neighbors with disabilities develop their emergency plans.
* In a pandemic, many people could be very sick at the same time. Worksites, schools and daycare centers may close. Think about how you will manage if everyday life is severely disrupted.
* Stay up to date on all of your immunizations, especially flu and pneumonia shots.
Stay informed:
* Follow directions from local health officials.
* Listen to the news.
* Read the newspapers
* Check the following websites: www.Ripley-co-in-health.org; www.cdc.gov; and www.pandemicflu.gov.
Practice good health habits every day:
* Wash your hands.
* Avoid close contact with sick people.
* Stay home when sick.
* Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
Items to keep on hand
* Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables and soups
* Protein or fruit bars
* Dry cereal or granola
* Peanut butter or nuts
* Dried fruit
* Crackers
* Canned juices
* Bottled water
* Canned or jarred baby food and formula
* Pet food
Additional Items
* Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment
* Prescriptions
* Soap and water, or alcohol-based hand wash
* Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
* Thermometer
* Anti-diarrheal medication
* Fluids with electrolytes
* Flashlight/batteries
* Portable radio