THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008

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Area-Wide Disaster Drill May 13

Park Ridge will join 22 other communities in an emergency disaster drill on Tuesday, May 13.

The Cook County Dept. of Public Health is orchestrating the drill, simulating conditions that might exist during a large public health emergency. That department would be responsible for the distribution of vaccines or antibiotics in such an emergency, and for planning and preparing communities. The exercise will test both the health department and its partners in activating 18 points of dispensing to serve the north and northwest suburban area. The department expects the participation of between 1,000 and 2,000 volunteers. The Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates will serve as the central physical location for the dispensing of medications in the exercise.

The municipalities will participate in seven tabletop exercises at the same time. Park Ridge will participate by working through the portion of its emergency operations plan dealing with large-scale events such as a pandemic or bioterrorist attack. Members of the city's staff will gather at the Park Ridge emergency operations center for the exercise.

The Cook County Dept. of Public Health emphasizes the collaborative relationship with communities, responders, volunteers, and community leaders. The department will maintain contact throughout the event focusing on area plans and finding ways to revise and refine local ones as needed.