Health departments from Mercer, Hunterdon and Somerset counties participated in a "full-scale distribution exercise" on March 24 at the West Trenton Firehouse in Ewing.
EWING - If Mercer County ever has to administer a large number of antibiotics in an emergency, like a bioterror attack, those who would do it are better trained following a recent exercise.
Health departments from Mercer, Hunterdon and Somerset counties participated in a "full-scale distribution exercise" March 24 at the West Trenton firehouse in Ewing - a designated point of distribution site, or POD, Mercer County officials said in a statement.
Officials said PODs are opened "when a portion of the population is determined to be at great risk of contracting a disease." The determination of the Ewing firehouse as the designated POD was part of the emergency exercise.
"Local resources may be limited and partnering with neighboring counties may be the most effective and feasible way to serve those in greatest need during a public health event," Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes said in a statement.
Mercer County officials said health department agencies acted out a simulated response to an anthrax attack - "demonstrating their ability to work together to distribute medications to a large number of people in a short amount of time."
Anthrax is a deadly bacterial infection which spreads rapidly throughout the body.
Officials said volunteers acted as county residents in the exercise. They registered and received antibiotics for their entire households - "a quicker and more efficient process than having every household member pick up their own medication."
"This drill showed our ability to take a regional approach to preparedness, coordination and response," Hughes said. "I'm confident its successful completion left us better prepared for a real emergency."
Hughes said residents can further prepare for a real public health emergency by knowing their household allergies to medications, asking their doctors if they can take the antibiotics doxycycline and ciprofloxacin, and creating and discussing their own emergency plan with friends and neighbors.
Officials said public health agencies will review the March 24 exercise and determine if any revisions need to be made to the policies and procedures of the emergency response plan.
Organizations involved in the exercise include The New Jersey Department of Health, county and local health departments, county emergency management offices, the Medical Reserve Corps, community emergency response teams, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross and the Ewing Police Department.
Lindsay Rittenhouse may be reached at lrittenhouse@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.