Media Release

9:38 PM

ALACHUA COUNTY - In an ongoing effort to prepare for the possibility of a flu pandemic in Alachua County and to test the response capabilities of agencies across the county, Emergency Response Educators and Consultants, Inc., conducted a comprehensive multi-discipline pandemic flu exercise at the Alachua County Emergency Operations Center on Thursday, October 26.

Representatives from more than twenty municipal, county, state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations gathered for a table top exercise designed to evaluate preparedness for a pandemic flu. Through a series of structured modules and facilitated discusssions, participants were able to explore the various challenges presented during the day's activities.

Participants included:

Alachua County Division of Emergency Managment
Alachua County Fire Rescue
Alachua County Health Department
Alachua County Sheriff's Office
Alachua County Environmental Protection
Alachua CountyPublic Works
Alachua County Community Support Services
Alachua County Combined Communications Center
Gainesville Regional Utilities
Gainesville Fire Rescue
Gainesville Police Department
Progress Energy
VA Medical Center
Shands Health Care
United Way
University of Florida Police Department
University of Florida Public Information Office
University of Florida Human Resources
University of Florida Envrionmental Health and Safety
University of Florida Student Health Care Center
University of Florida Office of Student Affairs
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Santa Fe Community Colllege
8th Judicial Circuit of Florida
U.S. Department of Agriculture

This exercise program was made possible by the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP). The program provides funding for training to help local governments prevent, deter, respond to and recover from all potential threats and incidents. These incidents may include terrorism involving the use of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) weapons and cyber attacks. The exercise completes Alachua County's State Homeland Security Grant Program Exercise requirements, mandated by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).

For more information about EREC, Inc. and the Office of Domestic Preparedness Program, visit www.erecinc.com or www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/welcome.html . For more information about Alachua County emergency preparedness contact Megan Crandall, Alachua County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer, at (352) 494-8600.