Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall tested its response to a biological threat during its annual full-scale exercise Sept. 17.
In the scenario, JBM-HH was one of 25 sites where a "white powder substance" was delivered throughout the National Capital Region, according to JBM-HH Emergency Management Specialist Malanya Westmoreland.
The scenario had one of the packages delivered to the joint base. The joint base's Emergency Operations Center was active throughout the exercise, which began at 8 a.m.
Last year, JBM-HH responded to a simulated active shooter scenario at the Fort McNair portion of the joint base. But this year's exercise was meant to test more than a law enforcement response to a physical threat; instead, the joint base coordinated with outside agencies, including the Arlington County Health Department and county first responders.
By mid-morning, Joint Base Commander Col. Mike Henderson and Deputy Commander Lt. Col. John Orille were at the Fort Myer Fitness Center to observe medicine dispensing procedures.
Rader Clinic staff worked with Arlington County Health Department officials to distribute medicine and evaluate those who were potentially exposed to the powder substance, which was believed to be anthrax.
Henderson said the exercise provided a way for the joint base to test its response to different scenarios within the National Capital Region.
"Our focus is on mission command and accountability of our personnel and our ability to integrate with all our on-base partners and all our partners in Arlington County," said Henderson. "This is always a good opportunity for us to train."
As the scenario played out, staff from the Andrew Rader U.S. Army Health Clinic deployed a preventative medicine dispensary site -- called a closed point of dispensing, or CPOD" -- at the Fort Myer Fitness Center, an effort to help prevent JBM-HH staff and personnel from possibly contracting Anthrax and other diseases if exposed to the powder. The CPOD is used to dispense medication to a specific group or organization, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fact sheet on the CPOD concept. For federal agencies, a CPOD allows for a "more rapid dispensing" and thereby "helps to ensure continuity of government" operations, according to the release.
For JBM-HH, the CPOD allowed mission-essential personnel to receive the mock preventative medications first, thereby continuing the response.
"We want people to know the procedures, to understand how this [CPOD] works," said Westmoreland in a pre-exercise interview with the Pentagram.
In the event of a real crisis or emergency situation, JBM-HH personnel would be notified of what's happening via the joint base's mass notification system. Notifications would come through emails, text messaging and computer screen pop-up alerts, as well as the "giant voice," loudspeaker announcements for community members who may not be indoors. Such announcements would include either a verbal or written broadcast that what follows is part of an exercise. Information would also be shared via the joint base's Facebook and Twitter pages.
In related news, September is National Preparedness Month. This observance is meant to encourage individuals, families and communities to make preparedness plans in the event of disasters and emergency situations, such as floods, hurricanes, power outages and wildfires.
The Defense Department participates in this observance annually, encouraging service members, employees and families to stay ready; this year's theme is "Don't wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today."
The DoD has a special web page specifically for this observance, offering information via social media, videos, fact sheets and other online tools on just how the DoD partners with FEMA to "strengthen our collective security, resilience and readiness," according to the website at http://go.usa.gov/36mbC.
To learn more on public health emergency preparations and responses, visit the Army Public Health Center online at http://go.usa.gov/3t9KW.
For more information on individual and family emergency readiness, FEMA offers an online toolkit to help planning efforts. That resource is available at www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.
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