Drill Tests Maryland’s Pandemic Flu Readiness

Last week, Maryland’s state health department held a three-day drill designed to test the state’s readiness in the event of pandemic influenza. Does the state have the ability to respond?

In an article for the Southern Maryland Newspapers, Alan Brody says the drill was the first time that Maryland’s Community Emergency Response Teams, known as CERTs, were mobilized to conduct needs assessments as part of implementing home quarantine and community containment measures. Hospitals and emergency care centers also tested their ability to handle an afflicted patient.

“Exercises such as this further our readiness and polish our ability to coordinate and respond,” state Health Secretary John M. Colmers told Brody. “This particular event will help us to identify where our response plan is appropriate and where there is room for improvement.”

The drill, Brody says, assessed the state’s ability to receive and distribute medical supplies. It also tested communications and emergency operations centers.“

History tells us influenza pandemics are inevitable. Experts tell us the world is overdue for a pandemic,” Gov. Martin O’Malley told Brody. “Maryland is a world leader in advanced biomedicine and we are determined to stay ahead of any pandemic flu. This drill is an important step toward protecting our families in the event of an outbreak.”

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