1. Preparing Homeless Shelters
for a
Public Health Emergency
Montgomery County, Maryland
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Services

2. Why Are You Here?
 Montgomery County under the Cities Readiness
Initiative (CRI) has developed plans to respond
to a large-scale bioterrorist (Anthrax) attack by
dispensing antibiotics to the entire county
population within 48 hrs.
 People who are homeless are extremely
vulnerable (transient, outdoors) to such an attack
and may be difficult to reach to provide
medications.

3. What is the Cities Readiness Program?
 A federally funded program
supported by CDC.
 It assists major cities to
effectively respond to a large
scale bioterrorist attack.
 It is based on a scenario of
an anthrax attack with
widespread and unknown
exposure.

4. Anthrax: The Weapon
Anthrax is a deadly disease
caused by bacterial spores
(Bacillus anthracis).
Techniques for mass
production and dissemination
are being developed.
As few as 1 to 3 spores may
cause infection if inhaled.
Anthrax is NOT contagious
person to person.

5. How Is Exposure to Anthrax Treated?
 Antibiotics (Cipro,
Doxycycline, and
Amoxicillin) taken
by mouth for a total
of 60 days are used
to treat exposure to
Anthrax to prevent
infection.
Note: Initial push is 10 days,
then 50 days if warranted.

6. Source: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/signs.asp (from the SNS Extranet)

7. Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)
 CDC will deliver
medications from the
SNS to Points of
Dispensing (PODs) in
Maryland including
Montgomery County.
 There are two forms of
distribution at the county
level:
 Open PODS (Previously
known as Medication
Centers)
 Closed PODs

8. What is an Open POD?
 Open PODs are for anyone in the County.
There will be 25 sites designated as Open PODs.
 One household
representative will
be encouraged to
pick up medication
for his or her entire
household.
 Drive-Thru or
Walk-Up options
for screening
and distribution.

9. What is a Closed POD?
 A point of dispensing
that is restricted to a
particular group, such
as homeless shelters.
 A Closed POD at a
homeless shelter is
more convenient for
people who are
homeless and who
may not be able to go
to a Medication Center.

10. Homeless Shelters as Closed PODs
 Homeless Shelters can elect to become Closed PODs in Montgomery
County.
 Medications and supplies would be distributed from the state to a
central location within the county, i.e., MC Fire and Rescue Training
Academy.
 Staff from the shelters will pick up the medications from the central
location to distribute to shelter staff, their immediate family, and
shelter residents.

11. Benefits of Closed PODS
 Quicker distribution of medications to people
who are homeless.
 Protects Homeless Shelter staff and their
families.
 Helps to ensure your organization’s continuity
of operations.
 Decreases the number of people going to
Open PODs.

12. How are Closed PODs Activated?
NOTIFICATION & ACTIVATION OF THE
CLOSED POD PARTNER SITE
Montgomery County Department of Health
and Human Services, Public Health
Services will contact the
Homeless Shelters to let them know that
their mass prophylaxis and Closed POD
plans have been activated.

13. Homeless Shelter Roles
 Send proper staff and proper vehicles to pick
up medication at designated location
 Assist staff members obtain medication for
themselves and their households
 Assist staff, staff households, and residents
to complete screening form
 Distribute medications to homeless shelter
residents

14. Homeless Shelter Roles (Continued)
 Be prepared to go back to the designated
location to pick up additional medication
 Maintain and secure inventory of
medications
 Stay alert, keep up-to-date with news from
the County, and keep communication lines
open

16. MAKE A PLAN

17. PLAN TO BE SAFE

18. HELPFUL GUIDE

19. COMMUNICATIONS

20. ESSENTIAL!!

21. Questions

22. Contact Information
Teresa Schuster, RN, MSN
(240) 777-1643
Teresa.Schuster@montgomerycountymd.gov