May 6 Deaf & Hard of Hearing Preparedness Event Mass Dispensing Role Playing Miller Dwan Hospital Duluth

48 Deaf or Hard of Hearing individuals & families, 7 Public Health staff, Red Cross, and HHS Staff & Interpreters joined together for the Preparedness Event.

There was a closed-captioning set-up, and three ASL interpreters to assist with communications.

The Red Cross presented first, detailing how they could help the community during a disaster, and then READY MAN! Appeared.

ReadyMan! explained the importance of items in emergency preparedness kits, which were given away after the talk.

Then we did the Mass Dispensing Exercise, using a power point presentation, diagrams, and a skit.

3. Greeting! Greeting Sorting (Triage) Sick people are taken to receive medical care Well peopl e move on to scree n-ing Screening People taking certain drugs Level 2 Screening (Pharmacist or Doctor) People with certain conditions Most peopl e Dispensing (Receive Pills & Ask Questions) Bus

Five clients went through the dispensing stations: Getting off the “bus” Greeting Triage (“sorting”) Level 1 Screening Level 2 Screening Dispensing Getting on the “bus”

We ended with a talk on Pandemic Influenza, and the awarding of door prizes. There were also displays, refreshments, and goody bags with hand sanitizer, whistles, and preparedness information.

It was a memorable event—the public health staff were happy to have been part of. We all learned a lot about mass dispensing. The Deaf / Hard of Hearing Community also thought the event was great. Can’t wait til next year!