To establish procedures for providing life-saving pharmaceuticals and medial supplies with or without the activation of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in a local public health emergency.

In the event of a public health emergency, including those resulting from a terrorist attack or other natural disaster, residents and visitors may require medicines, antidotes, medical supplies and medical equipment to counter the effects of biological pathogens, chemical and nerve agents. This guideline will establish a framework to assist officials in Dallas County to distribute needed pharmaceuticals throughout our community in a coordinated and efficient manner if deemed necessary.

 Distribution of prophylaxis materials will be accomplished by establishing Distribution Sites strategically located throughout the entire county based on school district boundaries. Each Distribution Site may be a public Distribution Site for the general population of the affected area or a private Distribution Site for a specific target population within the affected area. The goals of all Distribution Sites will be:

1. To provide preventive medications or vaccinations as deemed appropriate
2. To provide the pharmaceuticals in an orderly and efficient manner
3. To provide basic educational information
4. To divert asymptomatic persons away from area hospitals
5. To direct symptomatic patients to area health care facilities
6. To secure the pharmaceuticals within the distribution center
7. To provide secure transportation of the pharmaceuticals from the Community Distribution Node to the Distribution Center
8. To assist in staffing the Distribution Center with appropriate personnel to provide the needed services
9. To assist in tracking patient information on those persons they provided services
10. To collect data on services and materials expended for the event
11. To maintain communications with the Community Distribution Node during distribution
12. To provide the Distribution Center staff and family with prophylaxis
13. To provide staff with needed food, shelter and rest areas 
14. To conserve health, law enforcement, emergency response and other community resources
15. To provide a timely, essential service throughout the community

Public Distribution Sites are selected based on their location, size, facility assets, being a well-known facility within the community, traffic flow options externally as well as internally and normal use of the facility. Private Distribution Sites are selected based on the target population they serve and the site’s capabilities.