[MDC-EC] MD Statewide Pandemic Flu Drill

[Jim Montgomery]

To all MDC Section ECs and AECs

There will be a statewide Pandemic Flu Drill on May 3rd from 0800 to about 1400.  Thsi is not a super-secret drill, but I do know that it is intended to keep the work force out of the loop until the drill starts.

PRGE ARES has been invited to participate with the Prince George's County Health Care Coalition to support the 'comms down' portion of the drill.  There will be five county hospitals staffed with ARES operating voice and digital during that time frame. Civista Hospital in Charles County will be staffing a radio operator.

There are conflicting stories about the day(s) of the drill.  Originally, it was planned for May 3, 4 and 5 with various 'Regions' playing on different days.  PRGE, residing in Region 5, is scheduled to play May 3 while the remaining Regions play on May 4 and 5.  However, word has come to me that this may not be the case and that all Regions (the entire state) will be playing the same day, hence the conflicting stories coming from two hospitals.

If you support a hospital/health care facility in your county, may I ask you if your sources/sponsor can shed any light on the conflict?  I am not having any luck with a resolution. We in PRGE can support you with practice message traffic if you intend to play in the drill.  We just need to get the day or days sorted out and confirmed from a reliable source.  If we all play on the same day, we may be able to support and practice with one another.  Folks, it's just an opportunity I'd hate to have you pass it up.

Injects for us have not been shared totally with us, but 'reliable sources' tell me that the drill controllers will be told that phones will be overloaded or not functioning and that the Internet is a slow mover.  This will be done at different time at different hospitals.  We will be making auto patch calls and sending Winlink emails through out the drill.  From previous experience, the drill will probably cease around lunch time, in time for the after-action portion of the exercise.

Email me at wb3kas at aol.com with any information you can provide and if you are playing on May 3 or if you wish to receive winlink practice messages (at home too maybe?) during the drill.

tnx es 73, de

Jim
WB3KAS
PRGE EC