A newsletter for the students, faculty and staff of the Collin County Community College District. Published monthly. For information or submissions, call 972.758.3849. Cougar News welcomes student and faculty submissions. Next deadline: Sept. 10. All submissions are due by 5 p.m. on the due date. Photos cannot be returned. Text should be emailed to mrobinson@ccccd.edu or sent on disk. Please submit copy that is proofed, edited and saved in Word format. Cougar News staff: Lisa Vasquez, director; Mark Robinson, editor; Marcy Cadena-Smith, contributor; Sydney Portilla-Diggs, student correspondent; Stephanie Hall, student correspondent; Ana Colores Palmer, student correspondent; Nick Young, photographer; Layout by Publications
|  |
|
|
College lends campus to Homeland Security bioterrorism drill
It was a frightening sight at the Preston Ridge Campus Aug. 9. Fortunately, it was just a test.
The Collin County bioterrorism exercise at the Frisco campus was held in order to simulate a potential attack on local citizens.
The exercise was designed to test and evaluate aspects of the state, regional and local plans related to distributing medicine during a potential emergency.
The daylong procedure was not for the 1,000 volunteer “victims” as much as it was for the county and city officials, who would spring into action if such a disaster struck.
The make-believe scenario revolved around a terrorist attack on the citizens of North Texas. Terrorists had tainted air with the pneumonic plague. The “victims” filed through a maze starting behind the Preston Ridge Campus library, through the Cougar Den.
Those individual given orange cards by officials were considered individuals who had been “infected” by the plague. They were isolated and sent for transport to the hospital. All others – those not showing symptom but considered to be possibly exposed to the plague – were escorted toward the gymnasium were county health officials were ready behind tables to take information, dispense preventative medication and offer any assistance.
The goal was to service 8,000 individuals, which they met. They serviced about 1,000 “victims” per hour, according to Jason Lane, planner for Collin County Homeland Security.
Pharmacist Don Stone and Collin student and county intern Donna Valentino were happy to volunteer assisting the possible individuals with the plague.
“This exercise creates an image of possibilities of what might happen,” Mr. Stone said. “Personally, it makes me feel more secure. We go through life thinking someone else will take care of us. It is good to know there are people with the eyes and ears, trying to protect the citizens.”
Preston Ridge Campus was swarming with police officers and firefighters directing volunteers. Paramedics were loaded down with supplies. Pouches and vests were loaded on their chests, legs, arms and backs emphasizing the importance of the day’s exercise.
“As time goes on, they will be even more prepared,” victim Jean Baker said. “This is a test and they will find out what needs to improve in the exercise.”
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
|
|
|
