5 Gallons of Disaster Preparedness

The 5 Gallons of Disaster Preparedness project run by Harvey County Health Department and Harvey County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) aims to inform and engage the Harvey County community, particularly its growing Hispanic population, in disaster preparedness. In November 2013, the program will host a mock Point of Dispensing (POD) exercise, following the exact specifications approved by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. In lieu of receiving prophylaxis at the POD, participants will be given '5 gallons of disaster preparedness' kits, which will include a 5 gallon bucket, flashlights, first aid kits, duct tape, tarps, ponchos, gloves, dust masks, matches, pliers, scissors, toilet paper, trash bags, disaster preparedness information and more. In addition to preparing community members, the exercise will illustrate how the MRC, health department, and partners will respond to a disaster. The program also seeks to increase the base of credentialed MRC volunteers through the exercise.

The program's primary goal is to prepare the Harvey County community for a disaster. It also seeks to increase outreach to minority communities and recruit volunteers for the MRC.

The program will take effect in November 2013.