Moody prepares for epidemic

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarrod Grammel
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga --  While a medical epidemic is not likely, there is always a possibility of an outbreak of any number of diseases. In the event of an outbreak, Moody is trained and prepared to handle any problem that might arise.

One way the 23rd Medical Group is keeping its Airmen sharp is with the point of distribution exercise.

"It's important that we do these exercises and that the base knows about them," said Lt. Col. Bernard Vanpelt, 23rd Medical Support Squadron pharmacy flight commander. "If something were to happen it would affect the whole base."

The POD is an annual exercise completed by the 23rd Medical Group with the help of other supporting squadrons.

"We are required as a base to be capable of establishing a POD," said Colonel Vanpelt. "We have to be able to contain any disease, and issue medication and vaccinations in mass.

"The purpose of this exercise is to figure out how long it would take to process everyone during an epidemic," he added.

Col. Mark Koppen, 23rd Medical Group Commander, observed the exercise May 25.

"I've very proud of our responders' preparations and the sense of urgency that I saw in every participant," said Colonel Koppen. "Team Moody can rest assured that if any medical response is ever needed in the future, their medics have proven time and again they will be up to the task."

The exercise took place outside the Airman's Attic and Outdoor Recreation center. The patients drove through checkpoints to get evaluated and receive their paper work.

"The reason we are doing this as a drive through is to minimize the spread," said Tech. Sgt. Joe Ross, 23rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron patient administration NCO in charge. "This way, patients don't have to get out of their vehicles and we can process them quickly."

The exercise consisted of nearly 40 vehicles and approximately 35 medical personnel working in the POD. There were three checkpoints along the drive through.

"The first checkpoint is the administration tent, which hands out paperwork and information," said Colonel Vanpelt. "The second is the Triage which checks for symptoms. If someone is found to have symptoms they go to the third checkpoint for further evaluation. At the third checkpoint we have doctors and mental health specialists."

"We also have to keep track of how fast we are using medicine," he added. "If we start to run out, we have a contact downtown that would supply us."

If an epidemic were to happen, it is crucial that Moody knows how to handle it. Members of the 23rd Medical Group perform this exercise to ensure they have the capabilities to handle such an emergency.