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Closed POD Program in Place for Capitol Complex Employees

4/1/2014

Emergencies and disasters can occur anywhere at any time. This includes public health emergencies or crises. A key component to getting through these tough and taxing situations is preparedness and planning. For this reason, the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety (DMAPS), working with the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, has undertaken oversight of a pilot Closed Point of Dispensing Program for Capitol Complex State employees and their households.

A Closed Point of Dispensing (also referred to as a Closed POD), is a specified secure location where medications are dispensed to a specific group of people. In the event of a public health emergency, the Capitol Complex will serve as the Closed POD location for Capitol Complex employees and their families to obtain needed medications. Specifically, the Closed POD will encompass the area located between Kanawha Boulevard, Elizabeth Street, Piedmont Road, and Michigan Avenue.

TWO IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • The information does not imply any that a threat is imminent.
  • Participation in the Closed POD is entirely voluntary – it is not a requirement.
While you aren’t required to do so at this time, you can complete an online screening form in advance. Completing the form ahead of time serves two purposes: it’ll save time during an actual emergency, and it will ensure that participants (especially those with allergies and other health concerns) receive the safest form of medication. To complete the form, visit https://www.dispenseassist.net/anthrax.html (this is a secure website). Fill out the information and print the form, then keep it securely in your personal records. The online form is provided as a matter of convenience - NO INFORMATION YOU ENTER WILL BE VIEWED, RECORDED, OR OTHERWISE KEPT BY THE STATE OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY. Once you exit the website and/or close your browser, the information entered is deleted.
 
Inspired by the efforts of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control on the federal level, the Closed Point of Dispensing initiative was originally announced last Fall. The resulting program came from years of emergency response planning by a team of professionals from four agencies: project leader DMAPS, the Department of Administration, the Board of Risk and Insurance Management, and the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department.
 
 
​BENEFITS OF A CLOSED POINT OF DISPENSING PROGRAM

​Establishing a Closed Point of Dispensing Program (Closed POD) has a number of benefits, including:

  • Protecting the health of employees by treating them as well as those in their households. 
  • Allowing for more rapid distribution of medicines, thus helping to ease the overall impact and severity of the emergency. 
  • Lessening the strain on public clinics and other medical or distribution facilities.​

​Each of these benefits will assist the State with maintaining both its ability and continuity to provided needed services.

 

 



Contact Information

Lawrence Messina: lawrence.c.messina@wv.gov