Phil Levenstein, Palm Beach County Health Department’s Cities Readiness Initiative Coordinator held the first of three briefing meetings at the Vizcaya community in West Delray Beach for its Readiness Initiative volunteer staff of 25 residents Tuesday evening July 21, 2009 in the main ballroom of the clubhouse.

“Volunteer workers throughout the county will be responsible for mass antibiotics dispensing in case of a medical emergency such as an Anthrax attack,” said Levenstein.

He described the program: “We are identified nationally as Region 7 for the state of Florida. There will be 45 locations in Palm Beach County for mass dispensing of three medications in an emergency. Amoxicillin, Cipro and Doxycycline. We have 1,000 people in the County Health Department who are on call 24/7. However they are not enough during an emergency. We need 5,400 volunteers at the 45 dispensing points to dispense the meds at the rate of 625 people per hour. All drugs are pre packaged in bottles with a 10 day supply for rapid dispensing. That is why we are going to communities, schools, colleges and businesses to enlist the aid of volunteers. We have 35 communities signed up right now and are recruiting more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supplies the three medications at no charge during an emergency situation.

There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.

For More Information on establishing an R-POD at our Residential Association
Or Home Owners Association, Or to find out how to volunteer, please call:
Philip Levenstein
PB County Health Department
Office of Emergency Preparedness
(561) 355-3150 or E-mail: Philip_Levenstein@doh.state.fl.us
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To ready my story in Sunday, July 26 Sun-Sentinel CLICK HERE

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