THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) - Even though we have not heard the words anthrax or small pox lately, the potential threat is always there.
Health Officials say waiting until the last minute to prepare is just not an option. "The time to plan and the time to get around the table to identify those players if you will, those people who have primary and secondary responsibilities is now," said Thomas County Fire Chief Chris Jones.
Many agencies, such as Fire, EMS, Red Cross, and law enforcement met in Thomasville today to plan an exercise later in the year.
To practice for a real life biological emergency, the Thomas County Health Department is setting up a flu drive. "We need to be prepared to set up sites, dispense medicines within 48 hours of an event such as anthrax or pan-flu if it needed a vaccine," said Heath Department RN Tianne Taylor.
At this drive, scheduled in October, people will be able to receive flu shots from their cars. "It's really neat people stay in there cars. They don't need to get out," said Taylor.
Every agency is lending a hand. The Health Department, Archbold, and Southwest Georgia Tech are providing nurses. TPD and the Sheriff's Office will provide security.
And the Red Cross will be on hand with food and supplies. "Having such a good relationship with our community partners makes our job so much easier because if we didn't we would not be able to come together and work all of the arrangements out and people would not be as willing to help us as they are," said Taylor.
Health Officials say the last time they had a drive thru flu drive, they administered 700 shots. They say in order to reach this year's goal of 1,000, they not only need the county's help, but its citizens as well.
The Flu Drive will be held October 5th at Hand in Hand in Thomasville.
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