Nassau County Department of Health

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi announced today that Nassau County is conducting a multi-agency drill designed to enhance the county’s ability to receive and distribute critical medication in the event of a public health emergency.

“The health, safety and well-being of our residents are our top priorities. Nothing is more important than protecting our citizens and ensuring that, should an emergency arise, we are prepared to respond quickly and effectively,” Mr. Suozzi said. “With drills such as this one for our first responders, we will be better equipped to get medications to all our residents who may need them while maintaining vital services.”

The exercise scenario will cover the deliberate release of a deadly substance throughout Nassau County resulting in the need to take both precautionary measures and distribute medication to the residents of Nassau County.

Specifically, the training is intended to enhance Nassau County’s ability to operate multiple Point of Distribution (POD) sites to dispense oral medication. This drill will allow first responders and health care staffs to practice operating their PODs in order to prepare them to help distribute needed medication to all residents.

In an actual emergency, the public will be advised to go to designated PODS in their areas, NOT to their local hospitals.

First responders include Fire Battalions, Police, Emergency Management, Nassau County hospitals and the Health Department.

“We are pleased to be able to coordinate our efforts with other key agencies,” said Dr. David Ackman, Commissioner of Health. “This exercise will continue to enhance our ability to respond to medical emergencies and disasters, including terrorist attacks. These agencies and many others, including volunteers, will have vital roles to play in case of a real threat.”

For this drill, the following agencies will open their PODs to media at these times only during the exercise on Sunday, June 11th. If media is interested in attending the drill, please contact Cynthia Brown at the Health Department, 571-3417, by Friday, June 9th, so your name can be listed for admittance to the site(s). Cameras are welcome.

  8:00 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.   Office of Emergency Management, 100 Carman Avenue, East Meadow
10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. Nassau University Medical Center – 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow
10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. South Nassau Communities Hospital – One Healthy Way, Oceanside
11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.   Long Beach Medical Center, 455 East Bay Drive, Long Beach
10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. North Shore Hospital at Glen Cove, 101 St. Andrew’s Lane, Glen Cove
10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.   Winthrop University Hospital, 259 First Street, Mineola, NY

NASSAU COUNTY AGENCIES PARTICIPATE IN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DRILL- June 11th