Media Release

This press release put out at the request of the Alachua County Health Department.

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – The Florida Department of Health and 10 county agencies and private partners will participate in a two-day emergency preparedness exercise at the Alachua County Emergency Operations Center, area hospitals and other locations in the area, beginning March 21, 2012.  The exercise will evaluate response capabilities to an emergency event involving a pre-determined disaster scenario.

The exercise is sponsored by the Florida Department of Health and Alachua County and will test response capabilities that include rapid and accurate notification and communications, command and control responsibilities, and information sharing among all participating partners.

Media planning to cover the exercise must RSVP to Ann Rowe-McMullen at ann_rowe-mcmullen@doh.state.fl.us or 850-245-4444 x2131 no later than noon on March 20.

Interview opportunities will be arranged during the exercise.  Visuals include the emergency operations center / exercise in-progress, and public health-related activities at Alternate Care Sites (ACS) and designated area hospitals.