Volunteer “Patients” Needed for June Public Health Exercise

Manchester – The Manchester Health Department is looking for volunteer “patients” to help local Health Officials test their response to a mock Pandemic Influenza “Medical Surge” Event during an emergency preparedness exercise on Monday June 23, 2008.

The Manchester Health Department in collaboration with Manchester Memorial Hospital will establish a Triage Area, as well as an Alternative Care Facility, to treat patients in the event of a Pandemic Avian Influenza outbreak.  Please note:  no actual medications or vaccines are being administered as part of the Exercise. 

Manchester’s current plan requires the activation and staffing of an Alternate Care Facility to treat and care for patients a result of a “Medical Surge” at Manchester Memorial Hospital.  For this exercise to be successful, Manchester needs large numbers of volunteer “patients” from the community to test the response skilled of the deployed Alternate Care Facility and Medical Triage personnel.

“Many volunteers are needed to play patients in the exercise,” commented Maryann Cherniak Lexius, Director of Manchester Health Department.  Lexius goes on to say; “It is an opportunity for civic groups to encourage their members to help Manchester with an important training exercise.”

Volunteers must be 16 or older on or before the day of the exercise.  Those under 16 may participate if accompanied by a responsible parent or guardian.  Volunteers should be ready for a commitment of at least four (4) hours.  Morning and afternoon refreshments and lunch will be provided for the participants.  Individuals and community groups are encouraged to participate.  For more information or to volunteer, please contact Wayne I. Rioux, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator @ (860) 647-3189.

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