MRC Medical Reserve Corp Training 071611

Dr. Ted Rothstein Orthodontist Joins Medical Reserve Corp Training Exercise
to Prepare New York City in Event of Medical Disaster

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DOHMH) Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) enhances New York City’s emergency preparedness by ensuring that a trained cadre of health professionals is ready to respond to public health emergencies. The primary role of the MRC is to help distribute antibiotics or vaccine during an emergency requiring mass prophylaxis of a large number of New Yorkers. The MRC works in partnership with professional associations, universities, and hospitals to organize this multidisciplinary group of volunteer health professionals. Although the MRC is a federal initiative, NYC’s team is being created to support the emergency needs of our local area. A rapid emergency response will provide a timely return to stability for our communities. MRC volunteers can play a critical role in making this happen.

• Physicians
• Dentists
• Nurses and nurse practitioners
• Physician Assistants
• Pharmacists
• Mental health practitioners
• Podiatrists
• Chiropractors
• Optometrists
• Medical assistants and technicians
• Respiratory, Occupational, o
• Health Professional Students r Physical Therapists
• EMTs/Paramedics

Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) Point of Distribution (POD) Training Exercise is designed to test the efficiency and effectiveness of the present protocol under which thousands and thousands of New York City residents would be provided prophylactic antibiotics to prevent any one of a number of highly contagious diseases.

All volunteers received a POD dispensing Functional Exercise Volunteer Information Handout--a document could not be shown here since the protocol for such exercises is continually being modified to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the POD operation in delivering care to tens of thousands of people should the event arise that calls it into its active state.

Free courses and events for members of the MRC

New York City

Medical Reserve

Corps

NYC Medical Reserve Corps Trainings – Fall 2011

Wed, Sept 15 MRC Orientation –

Location: 125 Worth St, 3rd floor, NY, NY

This training will provide an overview of NYC MRC and how it fits into the

NYC emergency response plan. This training is essential for new

members and is a pre-requisite for many other MRC trainings.

Thurs, Sept 22 Disabilities Awareness for Emergency Responders l –

Location:125 Worth St,3rd floor, NY, NY This is a small group workshop

led by Harilyn Russo of the Center for Independence for the Disabled in

NY (CIDNY) challenges you to understand the need to balance

independence and support for

those with disabilities. This training is a pre-requisite for Disabilities

Awareness ll. MRC Orientation is a pre-requisite for this class.

Wed, Sept 28 All Hazards Training for Mental Health Professionals –

Location: 42-09 28 St LIC, NY. This full day training will prepare you to

respond as mental health professionals. At the end of this training, you

will become part of the Resiliency and Emotional Support Team (REST)

that works closely with the Mental Health staff of DOHMH to support both

staff and victims in the event of a disaster or emergency. MRC

Orientation is a prerequisite for this course. These trainings are for

mental health professionals only.

You must have:

*NY State License or Certificate as a (SW, Counselor, Therapist or

Qualified Psychiatrist

*Master degree and at least 2 years of full time experience providing MH

Services or 1 year of experience providing services to those experiencing

traumas or disasters

*Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of experience providing MH services.

You need only take this course once.

Wed, Oct 5 Planning for Mass Prophylaxis –

Location: American Red Cross of Greater NY, 520 West 49th Street, NY,

NY 10019. David Starr and his all-star staff will present an in depth look at

how NYC plans to medicate everyone in the event of a biological need.

This presentation will include an overview of

the Auxiliary Distribution Plan, The Countermeasures Plan, a briefing on

the pharmacy initiative, a description on how POD sites are selected and

cataloged, a review of the PODs new the express line, screening form

and medical evaluation recommendations. Get the inside scoop on the

city response plan and how it has evolved.

Wed, Oct 19 All Hazards Training for Mental Health Professionals –

Location: 42-09 28 St, LIC. NY See above for description. You may only

take this training once. MRC Orientation is a prerequisite for this

course.

Tues, Oct 25 Using Dosimeters and Other Tools to Measure Radiation –

Location: TBA Hands on workshop where you will learn to use tools to

measure radiation. This training is highly recommended for all members

of the Radiological Reserve Corps, but it is open to all.

Wed, Nov. 2 All Hazards Training for Mental Health Professionals –

Location: 42-09 28 St, LIC, NY. See above for description. You may only

take this training once. MRC Orientation is a prerequisite for this course.

Thurs, Nov 3 Personal Preparedness: Building a Go Bag –

Location: TBA Everyone in MRC should have a GO Bag. Learn what

should be in a Go Bag and begin to build your customized response kit.

Please bring a bag: a back pack or some other bag you can use to store

your supplies in.

Wed, Nov 9 REST Lunch and Learn – Open only to REST responders, this midday

training includes lunch. Location: Public Health Labs.

Wed, Nov 9 Disabilities Awareness ll –

Location: 125 Worth St, 3rd floor , NY, NY Advanced training for those

who have taken Disabilities Awareness l either last year or in Sept 2011.

Disabilities Awareness I is a pre-requisite. Harilyn Russo builds on Part l

of Disabilities Awareness. This is a small group workshop.

Thurs, Nov 10 MRC Orientation –

Location: 125 Worth St, 3rd St, NY, NY See description above.

Thurs Dec 1 MRC Trivia and Games Challenge –

Location: TBA. How well do you know MRC? ICS? Psychological First

Aid? Come and play our fast paced trivia games with us to test your skills.

There will be Prizes!

Tues, Dec 6 MRC Advisory Board Meeting – Open to Board members only.

TO REGISTER FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE TRAININGS, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL

TO:

Healthmrc@health.nyc.gov

Please put the title(s) of the trainings you wish to attend in

the subject line, and include your name, phone number and

email in the body of the email.

NYC Medical Reserve Corps Trainings – Fall 2011

Thurs, Sept. 7 MRC Advisory Board Meeting – Open to Board members only.

Wed, Sept 15 MRC Orientation – This training will provide an overview of NYC

MRC and how it fits into the NYC emergency response plan. This training

is essential for new members and is a pre-requisite for many other MRC

trainings.

Thurs, Sept 22 Disabilities Awareness for Emergency Responders l – This is a

small group workshop led by Harilyn Russo of the Center for

Independence for the Disabled in NY (CIDNY) challenges you to

understand the need to balance independence and support for

those with disabilities. This training is a pre-requisite for Disabilities

Awareness ll. MRC Orientation is a pre-requisite for this class.

Wed, Sept 28 All Hazards Training for Mental Health Professionals – This full day

training will prepare you to respond as mental health professionals. At the

end of this training, you will become part of the Resiliency and Emotional

Support Team (REST) that works closely with the Mental Health staff of

DOHMH to support both staff and victims in the event of a disaster or

emergency. MRC Orientation is a prerequisite for this course. These

trainings are for mental health professionals only.

You must have:

*NY State License or Certificate as a (SW, Counselor, Therapist or

Qualified Psychiatrist

*Master degree and at least 2 years of full time experience providing MH

Services or 1 year of experience providing services to those experiencing

traumas or disasters

*Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of experience providing MH services.

You need only take this course once.

Held at 125 Worth St., Manhattan

Wed, Oct 5 Planning for Mass Prophylaxis – David Starr and his all-star staff will

present an in depth look at how NYC plans to medicate everyone in the

event of a biological need. This presentation will include an overview of

the Auxiliary Distribution Plan, The Countermeasures Plan, a briefing on

the pharmacy initiative, a description on how POD sites are selected and

cataloged, a review of the PODs new the express line, screening form

and medical evaluation recommendations. Get the inside scoop on the

city response plan and how it has evolved.

Wed, Oct 19 All Hazards Training for Mental Health Professionals – See above for

description. You may only take this training once. MRC Orientation is a

prerequisite for this course.

Held at 125 Worth St., Manhattan

Tues, Oct 25 Using Dosimeters and Other Tools to Measure Radiation –Hands on

workshop where you will learn to use tools to measure radiation. This

training is highly recommended for all members of the Radiological

Reserve Corps, but it is open to all.

Wed, Nov. 2 All Hazards Training for Mental Health Professionals – See above for

description. You may only take this training once. MRC Orientation is a

prerequisite for this course.

Held at 125 Worth St., Manhattan

Thurs, Nov 3 Personal Preparedness: Building a Go Bag – Everyone in MRC should

have a GO Bag. Learn what should be in a Go Bag and begin to build

your customized response kit. Please bring a bag: a back pack or some

other bag you can use to store your supplies in.

Wed, Nov 9 REST Lunch and Learn – Open only to REST responders, this midday

training includes lunch. Location: Public Health Labs.

Wed, Nov 9 Disabilities Awareness ll – Advanced training for those who have taken

Disabilities Awareness l either last year or in Sept 2011. Disabilities

Awareness I is a pre-requisite. Harilyn Russo builds on Part l of

Disabilities Awareness. This is a small group workshop.

Thurs, Nov 10 MRC Orientation – See description above.

Thurs Dec 1 MRC Trivia and Games Challenge – How well do you know MRC? ICS?

Psychological First Aid? Come and play our fast paced trivia games with

us to test your skills. There will be Prizes!

Tues, Dec 6 MRC Advisory Board Meeting – Open to Board members only.

Unless indicated, all trainings will be held at the new Department of Health Headquarters

42-09 28th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101

TO REGISTER FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE TRAININGS, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL

TO:

Healthmrc@health.nyc.gov

Please put the title(s) of the trainings you wish to attend in the subject line, and

include your name, phone number and email in the body of the email.

New York City

Medical Reserve

Corps

August 2011

42-09 28 St., Queens NY 11101 347-723-1696 healthmrc@health.nyc.gov

September is Preparedness Month

Citizens Corps/MRC Volunteer Opportunity

On Thursday, September 1st, NYC Medical Reserve Corps will join the NYC Citizen Corps

Council, NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and fellow NYC volunteers to kickoff

National Preparedness Month. As in years past, it is a chance to spend some time

alongside fellow NYC volunteers showcasing what we do.

Sign up and spend a few hours at one of the locations below educating fellow New Yorkers

about emergency preparedness and volunteerism. Wear your MRC shirt and show your

MRC pride!

Event Locations:

• Brooklyn: Metrotech / Downtown

• Bronx: The Hub (149th Street and 3rd Avenue)

• Manhattan: Times Square

• Staten Island: Staten Island Ferry Terminal

• Queens: Queens Library Flushing Branch (Main Street and Kissena Blvd)

To register, go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2LBF3B5

Go Bag Tag Assembly

As part of Preparedness month, we will be giving out luggage tags with instructions on how

to build a Go Bag. We need your help to assemble the tag with the instructions for building

a Go Bag. This should be a fun afternoon in our new office. We will be doing this on

Tuesday, Aug. 30th from 10:00 – 12:00. To RSVP, please send an email to

healthmrc@health.nyc.gov

Salvation Army Sept. 11 Event

The Salvation Army, along with the Mental Health Association, will sponsor a "9-11 Healing

& Remembrance" program that welcomes families of victims, survivors, first responders

and 9-11 volunteers to a live simulcast of the NATIONAL MEMORIAL SERVICE on

Sunday, September 11, 2011, open from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Centennial Memorial

Temple -120 West 14th Street in New York City.

They have asked that MRC provide medical personnel to be on site in case guests get sick

or fall. They would like 8 – 10 MRC members – MD, RN, PA. NP, EMT. MRC members will

be asked to be present from 7:45 am – 1:00 pm. Salvation Army will have first aid kits

available. If you wish to volunteer for this event, please send an email to:

bduggan@health.nyc.gov

Be Prepared! Update your MRC Record

With the 10th anniversary of September 11th, we pause to remember all those we lost in

NYC. The September 11th terrorism attack was the impetus for the creation on the

Medical Reserve Corps. But MRC is only as strong as the accuracy of our records. We

rely on the information in the data base to contact you in the event of a disaster or

emergency. We need you to keep your information up to date.

Please take a moment to go on line at:

https://apps.nyhealth.gov/vms/appmanager/vms/public?prog=34 to update your record.

If you cannot remember your password, click on forgot password to answer the security

questions you selected or please call Haddie Lizasuain at 347-396-2713 with your

updates. Thank you for being a member of the NYC Medical Reserve Corps.

Employment Opportunity

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Emergency Preparedness

and Response, is interviewing for a Medical Director.

Qualifications: Board Certification in family practice, internal medicine, emergency

medicine, infectious diseases or a closely related field; experience in managing large and

complex projects, knowledge/experience in emergency management, public health,

and/or disaster medicine desired; ICS structure, operational knowledge and skills in

program planning, development, implementation, management and evaluation; ability to

communicate effectively in public forums; experience in grant writing and leadership

abilities in developing and motivating professionals; minimum of 5 years of supervisory

experience. For more information about this position, go to:

http://sh.webhire.com/servlet/av/jd?ai=741&ji=2563332&sn=I

To apply, go to: www.nychealthcareers.com

Training Survey

Thanks to all of you who attended our trainings this year.

In order to improve our training plans and include topics you are most interested in, we

are conducting a Training Survey. We would like your feedback to help us shape our

future trainings. Please take a minute to follow this link and answer our training survey.

It’s 8 brief questions and will really help us to evaluate our trainings.

To take the survey, go to:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MRC2011TrainingSurvey

Thanks so much for your help!

July NYC MRC Activities

POD Functional Exercise

Thanks to all of you who volunteered for the POD exercise on July 16th. Thanks to your

help, we were able to make better calculations about throughput and accuracy of

dispensing. Here are some photos:

Line for Personnel Station Personnel Station JIT training

Screening Happy Customer Dispensing

July 19 – Bombs, Blasts, and Triage – Dr. Dario Gonzalez,

the Manhattan/Bronx Division Medical Director FDNY/Office of

Medical Affairs, gave a presentation on Bombs, Blast and Triage

to members of MRC, CERT and Red Cross at Baruch College.

His photographs and descriptions of how bombs and blasts

spread and affect bystanders prompted many questions from the

audience.

July 28 – Building Cultural Competency Skills

Sujata Warrier, PhD spoke about cultural identity and

how It exerts a powerful influence on how you view

yourself and others. Dr. Warrier had the audience

identify prejudices associated with different cultures

and urged us to be aware of our biases, be aware of

power imbalances, to listen, be respectful and to be

nonjudgmental.

August Trainings Offered by Citizens Corps

Wed., Aug. 10 Triangle Shirtwaist Fire – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

NYC OEM - 165 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn.

One of the worst workplace disasters in New York City history occurred on March 25, 1911.

In total, 146 Triangle Waist Company garment workers, mostly immigrant women, perished

in a fire in the Asch Building in Greenwich Village. Sponsored by the NYC Citizen Corps

Council, this workshop, through a documentary, presentation, and discussion, will cover the

disaster and the catalyst it created for workplace safety, immigrant rights, labor union

organizing, and investigative journalism.

Tues., Aug 30 NYC Office of Emergency Management:

Behind the Scenes 6:30 – 8:30

NYC OEM - 165 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn.

Conducted by the NYC Office of Emergency Management, this workshop provides NYC

volunteers a better understanding of the NYC Office of Emergency Management, its

different functions, and its role within NYC and the region.

To register for these trainings, email Justin Land at citizencorps@oem.nyc.gov with your

name, email and mailing address, phone number, volunteer organization affiliation, need

for kosher meal, and the title and date of the training you are interested in registering for.

Space is limited. A light dinner will be provided.

September 2011 MRC Trainings

The full Fall Training Schedule for MRC is now available. See attached listing. All trainings

include a light lunch or supper.

Wed, Sept 15 MRC Orientation – This training will provide an overview of NYC

MRC and how it fits into the NYC emergency response plan. This

Training is a pre-requisite for many other MRC trainings.

Thurs, Sept 22 Disabilities Awareness for Emergency Responders l – This is a

small group workshop led by Harilyn Russo of the Center for

Independence for the Disabled in NY (CIDNY) challenges you to

Understand the need to balance independence and support for

Those with disabilities. This training is a pre-requisite for Disabilities

Awareness ll. MRC Orientation is a pre-requisite for this class.

Wed, Sept 28 All Hazards Training for Mental Health Professionals – This full

day training will prepare you to respond as mental health

professionals. At the end of this training, you will become part of the

Resiliency and Emotional Support Team (REST) that works closely

with the Mental Health staff of DOHMH to support both staff and

victims in the event of a disaster or emergency. MRC Orientation is

a prerequisite for this course. These trainings are for mental

health professionals only. You must have:

*NY State License or Certificate as a (SW, Counselor, Therapist or

Qualified Psychiatrist

*Master degree and at least 2 years of full time experience providing

MH Services or 1 year of experiences providing services to those

experiencing traumas or disasters

*Bachelors degree and 2 years of experience providing MH services.

You need only take this course once.

To Register for any of the above MRC trainings, please send an email to

healthmrc@healthnyc.gov Please include the names of the trainings in the subject

line, and your name, licensure, phone number and email in the body of the message.

July 2011

42-09 28 St., Queens NY 11101 347-723-1696 healthmrc@health.nyc.gov

ServNY Record Update

The record claiming project is complete. All incomplete records will be deleted in

the middle of July. If your record is still incomplete, you can call the Department of

Health Call Center at 347-396-7942 to update your record. Thank you for your

patience during this process.

Emergency Notification Drill in June

Thank you for a most excellent response to the Emergency Notification

Drill that went out on June 27th. I appreciate your patience in getting

multiple calls and emails. Our response rate was 77.7% the highest

we have ever had. Bravo!

POD Functional Exercise: Actors Needed!

Thanks to all of you who have volunteered for the POD exercise on July 16th. You

will receive further information by email. If you haven’t signed up but would like

to volunteer, please send an email to healthmrc@healthnyc.gov

Free Pesticide Guide for Clinicians

The US Environmental Protection Agency for Region 2 is offering a free Health

Care Provider Pesticide Guide. The CD includes recognition and management of

pesticide poisoning, national pesticide practice skills for medicine and nursing,

resources to share with the community, information on bedbugs and much more.

To request your free copy, please send an email to siegel.larry@epa.gov

June NYC MRC Activities

Nuclear Training, held at Baruch College was widely

attended. Dr. Andy Karam did a great job explaining

nuclear disasters and spoke about his experiences in

Fukushima, Japan.lease email healthmrc@health.nyc.gov

Psychological First Aid Training: an MRC Core Competency was offered on

June 15th. Presented by Amanda Lehrer, the group learned about recognizing

and dealing with stress and trauma.

Understanding the Strategic National Stockpile: Mr. David Starr

presented information about medications available to NYC for

disaster response, and how it is managed. Mr. Starr was able to

bring humor to a very complex topic for MRC members as well as

CERT and Red Cross volunteers. To request a copy of the

presentation, please email healthmrc@health.nyc.gov

NYC MRC July/August Trainings

Tues., July 12 Documentary Screening: NY Says Thank You – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

NYC OEM - 165 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn

Screening will be followed by a discussion with Scott Rettberg, producer and

director of the film. New York Says Thank You is an epic story of healing and

patriotic heroism that charts the journey of four New Yorkers whose lives were

touched by September 11 (a playful firefighter from the Bronx, the stern yet

sensitive Construction Superintendent of the Ground Zero cleanup effort, an Italian

American financial adviser and family man from Staten Island, and a young Irish

Catholic firefighter whose first fire call was to the World Trade Center on September

11, 2011) as they travel the country to help communities rebuild after their own

disasters. This feature-length documentary film casts a hopeful light in the shadow

of the tragic day as, every September, New Yorkers are joined by an ever-growing

group of disaster survivors and volunteers from around the country to pay forward

the support they once received.

Registration is required. To register, email Justin Land at

citizencorps@oem.nyc.gov with your name, email and mailing address, phone

number, volunteer organization affiliation, need for kosher meal, and the title and

date of the training you are interested in registering for. Space is limited. A light

dinner will be provided.

Wed., July 13 Con Edison 101 – 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Con Edison – The Learning Center - 4382 Vernon

Boulevard, Long Island City

Conducted by Con Edison in conjunction with NYC CERT and the NYC Citizen

Corps Council, this workshop provides NYC disaster volunteers with a greater

understanding of Con Edison and increases one’s awareness towards utility

incidents.

To register email Justin Land at citizencorps@oem.nyc.gov with your name, email

and mailing address, phone number, volunteer organization affiliation, need for

kosher meal, and the title and date of the training you are interested in registering

for. Space is limited. A light dinner will be provided.

Tues., July 19 Bombs, Blasts and Triage – 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Baruch College, 151 E. 25 St, 7th fl., Manhattan

Learn about the effects of Bombs and Blasts, and how Triage is conducted.

Dr. Dario Gonzales, Medical Director for the NY Fire Department, will discuss the

implications of bomb and blast events in NYC, and how to conduct triage

(offered by MRC).

To register, email your name and the training to healthmrc@health.nyc.gov

A light dinner will be provided.

Thurs., July 28 Building Cultural Competency Skills – 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Baruch College, 151 East 25 St., 7th floor, Manhattan

An MRC core competency, cultural competency is often misunderstood.

Join us as Dr. Grace Mose gives concrete examples of what Cultural

Competency means, and how our understanding of cultural differences

will make us better able to help NYC’s diverse population (offered by MRC).

To register, email your name and the training to healthmrc@health.nyc.gov

A light dinner will be served.

Tues., Aug. 2 National Weather Service SKYWARN® Storm Spotter

Workshop – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

NYC OEM – 165 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn

Conducted by the National Weather Service (NWS) in conjunction with NYC

CERT and the NYC Citizen Corps Council, this workshop trains volunteers to help

keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of

severe weather to the NWS. SKYWARN® volunteers are trained by NWS

personnel to recognize features associated with rapidly developing, mature, and

dissipating thunderstorms which cause hazardous weather. SKYWARN® spotters

also provide reports of heavy snow, heavy rain, and flooding. They are the eyes

and ears, helping to provide better forecasts and warnings to the Tri-state Regions.

Forecasters from the NWS in NYC conduct the training to help prepare spotters for

the upcoming severe weather season. The training covers fundamental information

with a focus on safety, identification of key weather features and proper reporting

procedures.

To register, email Justin Land at citizencorps@oem.nyc.gov with your name, email

and mailing address, phone number, volunteer organization affiliation, need for

kosher meal, and the title and date of the training you are interested in registering

for. Space is limited. A light dinner will be provided.

Wed., Aug. 10 Triangle Shirtwaist Fire – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

NYC OEM - 165 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn.

One of the worst workplace disasters in New York City history occurred on March

25, 1911. In total, 146 Triangle Waist Company garment workers, mostly immigrant

women, perished in a fire in the Asch Building in Greenwich Village. Sponsored by

the NYC Citizen Corps Council, this workshop, through a documentary,

presentation, and discussion, will cover the disaster and the catalyst it created for

workplace safety, immigrant rights, labor union organizing, and investigative

journalism.

To register, email Justin Land at citizencorps@oem.nyc.gov with your name, email

and mailing address, phone number, volunteer organization affiliation, need for

kosher meal, and the title and date of the training you are interested in registering

for. Space is limited. A light dinner will be provided.

Tues., Aug 30 NYC Office of Emergency Management: Behind the

Scenes 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

NYC OEM - 165 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn.

Conducted by the NYC Office of Emergency Management, this workshop provides

NYC volunteers a better understanding of the NYC Office of Emergency

Management, its different functions, and its role within NYC and the region.

To register, email Justin Land at citizencorps@oem.nyc.gov with your name, email

and mailing address, phone number and volunteer organization affiliation.

July 17, 2011

Ted Rothstein DDS PhD
Specialist in Cosmetic Orthodontics
and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Adults and Children
Specialist in Orthodontic Jaw Wiring
American Association of Orthodontists
Life-active Member
35 Remsen St., Bklyn, NY 11201
718 852 1551   Fx 718 852 1894
www.drted.com   drted35@aol.com


8:00 July 16,2011: Good morning captain. Dr. Rothstein enters stage left playing role of victim, (one of 8.4 million) who will be receiving an antiobiotic either "Doxy" (Doxycycline--A tetracline-like antibiotic) or "Cipro" (an "oxacine" antiobiotic). 250 PODs (Point of Distribution Centers) 50 in each of the 5 boroughs of NYC will be prepared to screen and dispense antibiotics to victims in the event of the need for mass prophylaxis in the form of antibiotics and vaccinations. That is 12,000 /day in each center within 4 days. Today Professionals in all walks of the health industry and all members of the MRC and CERT (Community Emergency Reserve Training) will test the protocol that will be used in each POD.	Hats off lets begin


Break out session: Special training class for advanced staff	"Actors" being introduced to the training exercise

Introductions over lets have breakfast	Lined up to register: those who participated

Round and around we went: to the right handing in the their completed screening forms to the screening staff (on the left) who read them and assigned the victim (and his family and /or friends) the correct medication/action based on the info provided in the victim's questionnaire (see right). The victim would be prescribed either Doxy, Cipro or referred for the section manned by physicians who would do a medical exam. In essence the screening provides the a prescription for the correct antibiotic. From this station the victim would be directed to an area where the medication would be dispensed and the patient would be directed to the exit. On this day 3400 victims were screened and provided with the correct medication they were prescribed base on the questionnaire screening form they filled out at the start. I made 12 circuits of the screening table and 13 circuits of the dispensing section. Each circuit would take about 5 minutes.	THE ANTIBIOTIC SCREENING FORM The antibiotic screening form consists of eight questions which would allow a screener to decide whether the person should receive Ciprofloxacin --"Cipro" or Doxycycline--"Doxy" or be seen by a physician for further evaluation. If no further evaluation is required the victim would be sent to the dispensing station nearby to pick up the appropriate medication and then exit the POD.

The gift to actors/"victims" who participated in the exercise: An AM/FM/ Weather Band NYC Medical Reserve Corps Radio with Dynamic self -cranking recharger
Join the NYC Medical Reserve Corp: Contact *The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene .* New contact information: Betty Duggan NYC Medical Reserve Corps Manager Public Health Emergency Staffing Coordinator New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Gotham Center, CN # 22E 42-09 28th Street Queens, New York 11101-4132 Office: 347-396-2689 Cell: 347-723-0002 bduggan@health.nyc.gov For more info: servny@health.state.ny.us