Drill Tests County's Ability to Distribute Medication

Teams of volunteers are fanning out through parts of San Mateo County today in a drill meant to fine-tune the county's ability to respond to disasters and distribute medication to residents.

About 65 volunteers broke up into groups of three to five people this morning and headed out to knock on doors near Menlo College and in the Lindenwood neighborhood of Atherton as part of the "Silver Dragon" emergency drill, organizers said.

They are handing out brochures, but in the event of a real emergency the brochures would be replaced with packets containing enough medication for a family of four, said Carol Parker, emergency services specialist for the Menlo Park Fire Protection District.

The drill, which is taking place from 9 a.m. to noon, is intended to test the San Mateo County Health System's ability to coordinate such a distribution with other local agencies.

Parker said the teams knocked on about 241 doors in a half-hour period this morning.

She said that in some disasters that require the distribution of medicine to residents, it makes sense for emergency responders to set up a mass clinic.

"But if you had a pandemic or anthrax, then you need to go out into the neighborhoods rather than bringing the mass people together," she said.

After the drill ends, volunteers will be treated to a barbecue lunch.

The drill, which is in its sixth year, is organized by the San Mateo County Health System. Participating entities include the Menlo Park Fire Protection District and Menlo College.

- Bay City News

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