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On June 9, CRCOG conducted a regional tabletop exercise in the Town of Bloomfield at the Marilyn Michaelson Senior Center. A tabletop exercise is a discussion-based exercise in response to a public safety scenario, intended to generate a dialogue of various issues to facilitate a conceptual understanding, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and to utilize plans, policies, and procedures.
The scenario for this tabletop exercise was an intentional release and exposure to anthrax at a sporting event honoring the Region 3 first responders. The scenario generated discussion on the public health readiness to identify persons at risk of exposure to the intentional anthrax release and the Region 3 public health response plans to dispense antibiotics to exposed first responders, their immediate family members and the identified exposed general population.
The sixty-five attendees sat at tables in groups based upon their local health department or health district jurisdictions. The scenario provided the groups the opportunity to apply their knowledge and response skills to work with the Region 3 Regional Coordination Center effectively and efficiently as well as utilize the Metropolitan Medical Response Plan and the Region 3 Mass Prophylaxis Plan.
This anthrax tabletop enhanced Region 3’s capability to communicate, collaborate and coordinate. The day validated the plans and procedures in place by identifying strengths and areas of improvement. Recommendations for revisions to the current plans, policies and procedures will be forthcoming in an after-action report and improvement plan. Thanks to all the participants, Jensen-Hughes for facilitation of the tabletop exercise, the staff of the Marilyn Michaelson Senior Center and the Connecticut Department of Public Health for funds through the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Funding Grant.
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