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Va. Scores High Marks for Emergency Preparedness



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Chesapeake City, Virginia

Feb 20, 2008, News Report

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Virginia scored high marks from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the state's ability to manage public health emergencies. 

Virginia scored 97 out of a possible 100 for its readiness to quickly distribute lifesaving medicines and medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile to the site of a natural or man-made disaster anywhere in the state. 

"This score is evidence of our hard work and commitment to expanding our capacity to protect public health in the wake of a terrorist attack, pandemic flu, or other public health emergency," Governor Kaine said.

Virginia's goal is to redistribute the medicines and supplies received from the Strategic National Stockpile to local communities within 12 hours. The types of medicines included in community-bound packages include antibiotics, chemical antidotes, intravenous supplies and airway management supplies.

Virginia also scored high on measures related to disease detection and investigation as well as the ability of the public health laboratory to rapidly identify biological and chemical agents.  Virginia is able to mount a multi-jurisdictional response with hospitals and local, state and federal emergency management organizations and conducts drills to measure emergency communications and response.

In December, 2007, the Virginia Department of Health scored a perfect 10 on its efforts to prepare the state to deal with major health emergencies from the Trust for American's Health.  States were scored on 10 indicators that included ability to use the national stockpile, liability protection for volunteers and emergency preparedness drills.

For more information on Virginia's readiness to deal with emergencies visit the Virginia Department of Health's Web site at www.vdh.virginia.gov.

JB

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