Featured Article — April 2008

Preparing to Respond: Public Health Regional Response Trailers

Within the metropolitan Kansas City area, there are 10 local Public Health Departments. These public health departments work as a part of a larger group of emergency response agencies in the area, coordinated by the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC). In order to respond to public health and other emergencies, a number of trailers were purchased using Urban Area Security Initiative grant money through MARC. They are stationed throughout the metropolitan area. Whether it is a bioterrorism incident, an explosion or a natural disaster, these trailers will be needed on the scene.

The primary purpose of these trailers is to give local health departments the ability to provide medications and services to emergency responders during any terrorist event or natural disaster. The trailers will also be used in other public health emergency response operations, including mobile mass vaccination clinics. The trailers are equipped to assist in communicable disease outbreaks and mass patient care situations. They can be used for general preventative services, education and training, as appropriate.

Each trailer is a self-contained command post, including all electrical and heating/cooling equipment. The trailers contain:

1. Thermal Imaging Device
2. Crowd control barriers
3. Tables/chairs
4. Medical supplies/equipment
5. Satellite phone
6. Portable fax/copier

The Public Health Regional Response Trailers will be an asset to the metropolitan area during public health emergencies, natural disasters, man-made attacks or in any other crisis situation.

The threat level in the airline sector is HIGH or Orange. See www.dhs.gov for details.

An online Suspicious Activity Report Form (SAR) will be available soon.