Garrett County Health Department, in collaboration with Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps volunteers and health department employees, conducted a full-scale Point of Dispensing (POD) exercise in late April. The drill marked an important transition from simple emergency planning to a working, real-world simulation using mock patients to imitate a public health crisis.
This operations-based simulation tested the ability of health department personnel and Maryland Responds Volunteers to mobilize quickly and dispense essential medications as they moved clients through key stages of the process. The drill utilized Just-in-Time (JIT) training to effectively step into alternate roles, ensuring that all operational positions—from patient screening to medication distribution—were fully staffed and functional.
“The POD drill gave us a valuable opportunity to test our readiness, strengthen coordination across our teams, and identify ways to improve our response in a real public health emergency, said Martin Kraska, Deputy Health Officer, Operations. “I want to thank our staff for their professionalism, teamwork, and commitment throughout the exercise. While we hope we never have to dispense medications to the public in an emergency, this type of preparation helps ensure we are ready to protect and serve our community if that need ever arises.”
“By moving from a model to a full-scale exercise, the health department and its partners were able to gain hands-on experience that cannot be replicated in a classroom setting,” said Eric Cvetnic, RN, Garrett County Health Department. “The insights gained from this drill will be used to further refine local emergency response plans.”
Community-wide simulations like this one are being conducted by local health departments across the state and are used to train volunteers and staff on rapidly distributing life-saving medications or vaccines during public health emergencies.
For additional information on preparedness activities at the Garrett County Health Department, please call 301-334-7770.
