Editorial

Practice makes permanent

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

"Practice makes perfect," or so the old saying goes. A friend once expanded on the old saw with the phrase, "Practice makes permanent."

It only makes sense. And it should be reminder enough to inspire us to strive to get it right and then practice, practice, practice so that we get it right every time.

A mock disaster drill, set for Tuesday, Aug. 2, will seek to do just that.

The scenario involves an unknown bacteria that is rapidly spreading, person-to-person, in Frontier County, and the Department of Health and Human Services is recommending preventative measures, including the adminstration of antibiotics to every person in the county.

The mock drill announcement reads: "Through surveillance efforts of Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, it has been determined that Frontier County is experiencing a wave of an unknown bacteria that is spreading rapidly from person to person. The Department of Health and Human Services is recommending immediate prophylaxis of the entire county with antibiotics. The Strategic National Stockpile has been released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is in McCook and will be arriving in Curtis at 10 a.m. via Frontier County Sheriff's office. Dispensing of this life-saving medication will begin at 11 a.m."

The purpose of mock drills, whether for a health emergency such as is planned in Curtis, or one involving a hazardous spill, train wreck or any other wide-scale disaster is to find weak links so they can be strengthened and to teach emergency responders how to work together providing a coordinated, effective response.

Health department workers, emergency responders, police officers and firefighters train and train again, so that when a real emergency happens, they immediately get it right.

The Frontier County disaster drill will require a considerable volunteer participation and they're prepared to reward volunteers with a free lunch of grilled hot dogs, chips and a drink, along with free blood pressures, entry into a drawing for a $200 gas card, and a coupon worth $10 toward an influenza vaccination in the fall.

Volunteers will help organizers improve the operation of a mass-dispensing site so that, in the event of a real health emergency, the agencies involved will be able to work more efficiently. The exercise itself will help to educate the public about the process so that they will be able to obtain life-saving medication quickly and without panic.

So, if you've got some time Aug. 2, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and you're going to be in the Curtis area, contact Heidi Wheeler at (308) 882-4269; (308) 345-4223 or by email at erc@swhealthdept.com and volunteer.

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