Following the events of Sept. 11th, an office of disaster preparedness was established at New Jersey Primary Care Association. Funding for this office was provided by New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. The goal of the disaster preparedness program is to assist the Federally Qualified Health Centers in being prepared for disasters whether manmade or natural. A resource library available to all members of the Association is maintained at NJPCA offices. Education and training programs for health centers include bioterrorism, chemicals, radiation, and personal protective equipment. A table top exercise in infectious disease was developed specifically for health centers as well as an Incident Command Systems Program. New programs are added regularly. NJPCA developed a policies and procedures manual for events of terror for all health centers. Health Centers receive updates to the policies and procedures on an as need basis. Via NJ LINCS, an electronic information network, health centers are regularly informed about disease outbreaks, immunization issues and other pertinent information.

Education and training programs are developed in cooperation with the advisory committee that meets quarterly. All training programs are presented at locations convenient for the individual center. Last year we were fortunate to become of a community based initiative for continuing education. Through this grant NJPCA was able to expand our training efforts and hire additional staff to assure implementation of all necessary training initiatives.

The New Jersey Preparedness Training Consortium (NJ-PTC) is funded to provide continuing education for health professionals focusing on an all hazards approach. Through this grant we are able to offer a wider variety of training initiatives at no cost to the health centers. The NJ-PTC is a partnership comprised of many of New Jersey's most skilled and experienced healthcare organizations, particularly regarding counter-terrorism and preparedness for a possible biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear or explosive event. Members of the consortium are also skilled in training other healthcare workers, offering a wide range of activities that will earn Continuing Education (CE) credit. As of April 21, 2005, NJPCA has trained 750 health professionals and continues to provide trainings for health centers on; weapons of mass destruction, incident command systems, fit-testing for respirators, biological and chemical agents of terror, behavioral health awareness for terrorism and disasters, case-based training, and personal protective equipment.

Consultant services are available to other primary care associations on a fee for service basis. The policy and procedures manual and a checklist for assessment of preparedness needs and a 2 hour PowerPoint presentation about bioterror agents are available for purchase.

For further information about disaster preparedness at New Jersey Primary Care Association contact Miriam Cohen MS, RN at 609.275.8886, ext.16, or email mcohen@njpca.org. or Amelia Muccio, Disaster Preparedness Educator at 609.689.9930 ext.26 (fax: 609.689.9441) or email amuccio@njpca.org.