County Emergency Response Plan Earns Top Score

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by the Mercer County administration.

Mercer County was among the counties that received the highest possible score for its plan to react to an epidemic and deliver medicine to residents.

In July, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services completed its study of Mercer County’s emergency plans related to public health, called a “Local Technical Assessment Review” (LTAR). The review is required by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Mercer County earned an overall score of 100 percent across all 12 sections of the plan, which include obtaining stockpiles of medicine from federal government, tactical communication, security and distribution, among others.

“This very impressive score indicates that Mercer County has all the parts in place and ready to activate in the event of a public health incident affecting most of our population,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “Our residents are the priority and I think this review is a clear indication of how seriously we take that responsibility.”

The perfect score reflects significant updates and changes made by the Mercer County LINCS agency, which is responsible for coordinating the rapid dissemination of critical information in the event of a bioterrorism incident or public health threat and to promote mutual cooperation and the general welfare of the public health system.

There are 115 local, regional and county health departments in New Jersey, and Mercer County LINCS establishes working connections with all municipal governments, local health departments, hospitals, doctors, laboratories, emergency management, emergency medical services, schools, churches and the community organizations in Mercer County, and maintains a contact list via e-mail, fax, pager and telephone.