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News – Friday, August 14, 2015
IDPH Prepares for a Public Health Emergency
Strategic National Stockpile Training Exercise
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today tested its ability to receive and distribute medicine and medical equipment during a public health emergency. In the event there is an emergency (terrorist attack, flu outbreak, earthquake) severe enough to cause local supplies to run out, the State can request what is called the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). The SNS is a national repository of antibiotics, chemical antidotes, antitoxins, life-support medications, IV administration, airway maintenance supplies, and medical/surgical items. The SNS is designed to supplement and re-supply state and local public health agencies in the event of a national emergency anywhere and at anytime within the U.S. or its territories.
“The anthrax attacks in 2001 and the 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza pandemic highlight the importance of being prepared for various health threats,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Preparing requires continual and coordinated efforts between all levels of government, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and individuals. Today’s SNS exercise allowed us to identify any gaps we have in our plan to quickly distribute medicine and medical equipment during an emergency.”
Today IDPH simulated an anthrax release event which required the State to assess if medical assets beyond what Illinois could provide were needed, request the SNS from the federal government, receive packages of supplies within 12 hours of the request, and break them down to be distributed to locations where medical supplies are needed. The exercise involved state, regional, and local personnel for warehouse operations and distribution of assets to locations within Illinois.
In general, there are three undisclosed, predetermined locations in Illinois that will receive SNS assets in an emergency. The State is responsible for coordinating and organizing all partners involved in an SNS deployment, unpacking the shipment, distributing medical materials to areas where supplies are needed, and managing and tracking all SNS assets.
The State regularly conducts training and SNS deployment exercises to evaluate the strength of the SNS plan and improve various aspects as needed.
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