Published: March 31, 2008 05:24 pm            

Officials plan for the worst

Officials from Cass and surrounding counties got together last week to review plans for dealing with something we all hope will never happen.

A pandemic.

The participants, linked via speakerphone and Internet, ran through three scenarios to test each county’s preparedness plan and prepare emergency responders for what might happen in the event of a massive outbreak of influenza.

The goal, of course, is to keep all of us safe.

The community’s medical personnel and emergency responders need a plan in the event such an outbreak occurs. They also need to be prepared in case things don’t go according to plan.

In the exercise, officials were instructed to base their response on receiving fewer supplies than they actually needed. What would they do then? The Cass County team also discussed who would get the preliminary vaccine at the beginning of a pandemic.

First in line would be those in direct contact with infected persons — emergency medical personnel, emergency room staff, law enforcement and fire personnel. Next would be pregnant women, infants, toddlers and key government leaders.

Officials also acknowledged that with a nationwide pandemic, Cass or Howard counties might not be at the top of the priority list. In that case, they might not get enough vaccine even to cover everyone on the front-line.

The group determined the roles and responsibilities of each participant in receiving, storing, securing and dispensing supplies for battling an outbreak of pandemic influenza.

The planning involves not only emergency agencies and the health department, but also representatives of hospitals, the public schools and other entities.

Such planning is part of a project to be paid for with a $42,500 grant money from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

In the months ahead, local residents will be asked to participate in drills similar to those that have taken place over the last two years. Again, the idea will be to test the community’s readiness, to find the holes in the plan before lives are on the line.

We applaud the emergency responders for their efforts. Residents can rest easier because this kind of work is under way.

        

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