If a pandemic strikes, vaccines and medication may be in short supply. Ever wonder how the medication will get to the local area?
Or who would be treated first? Or how the drugs will be secured and protected during a time of crisis?
Emergency response agencies and leaders in Region I — Crawford, Dent, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Laclede counties — will have an opportunity to plan for and react to a pandemic flu emergency and focus on the security of medication.
The Phelps/Maries Counties Health Department, in partnership with Meramec Regional Planning Commission and the Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee, will host a tabletop training on pandemic flu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 29  at Meramec Regional Planning Commission in St. James.
“It is extremely important to consider and work through the potential problems that will occur when a pandemic strikes and drugs are in short supply,” said Jodi Waltman, director of the Phelps/Maries Counties Health Department.
All emergency response agencies in Region I are encouraged to participate as well as local elected officials, hospitals, schools, emergency management directors, coroners and interested local leaders.
“We hope to get a broad range of folks involved,” said Tammy Snodgrass of MRPC.
“The exercise will provide a forum for local leaders to discuss the challenges and plan for such an event. For many attendees, it will provide a valuable source of information on how pharmaceuticals will be managed during a pandemic and the anticipated need for extra security for those drugs,” Snodgrass added.
In May 2007, the Phelps/Maries Counties Health Department, MRPC and the Region I HSOC conducted a pandemic flu exercise that focused on how to continue operations during pandemic with high absenteeism.
It is estimated that 30 percent to 40 percent of the workforce will be out‹either sick themselves or caring for sick family members. This year’s exercise will focus on security and distribution of pharmaceuticals during a pandemic.
Persons interested in attending the exercise should RSVP  by July 25 to Tammy Snodgrass or Amy McMillen at MRPC, 573-265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org or amcmillen@meramecregion.org.
Lunch will be provided for participants.