Volunteers Needed For Mock BioDisaster

HARTFORD — State and local health departments and districts continue to look for volunteers to help test public health’s response in a mock biomedical disaster exercise on April 19.

Specifically, volunteer “patients” are needed to assist health officials statewide to test plans to implement the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in Connecticut. The SNS is a national resource designed to quickly distribute antibiotics and other medications in the event of mass public exposure to biological agents, such as anthrax or smallpox.

Volunteers must be 16 or older on or before April 19, 2006. Those under age 16 may participate if accompanied by a responsible parent or guardian. Individuals and community groups are encouraged to participate. Volunteers should be ready for a commitment of at least four hours. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Infoline at 2-1-1 and have ready for them your contact information and the location at which you would like to volunteer.