News from New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

For more information contact: 2nd Lt. Greta Lewis, 174th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, (315) 233-2651

National Disaster Medical System Exercise to be held at Hancock Field

MEDIA ADVISORY

HANCOCK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, NY (07/10/2008; 1544)(readMedia)-- Members of the press are invited to Hancock Field Air National Guard Base to observe a joint exercise designed to support the Department of Health and Human Services in the event of an activation of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS).

WHO: Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Department of Defense, NYS Dept of Health, Medical Reserve Corps, American Red Cross, Onondaga County Office of Emergency Management St. Joseph's Hospital, University Hospital, Crouse Hospital, Community General Hospital, CENTRO and members of the New York Air National Guard's 174^th Fighter Wing.

WHAT: Media opportunity to be present to see how exercise is developed and how resources will be implemented upon activation.

WHERE: Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, 6001 E. Molloy Road, Syracuse, NY.

WHEN: Members of the Media should be at Hancock Field ANGB Thompson Road gate (corner of Thompson Rd/E. Molloy Rd) July 12, 2008 by 8:30 a.m. Exercise is expected to begin at 9:00 a.m.

Coverage Opportunities:

Media will have an opportunity to film the progress of the exercise, as well as interview representatives from the various agencies.

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of the exercise is to develop and refine an operational plan for the principle responding agencies within the County of Onondaga who will respond in the event of an activation of the NDMS or implementation of the VAMC's role as a back-up site to the military healthcare system. The partners in this exercise recognize that an activation of the VAMC's role as a back-up to the military heath system will require a similar community response.

NDMS is the national system used to assist citizens in time of disaster. The system is run by the Department of Health and Human Services and relies on other federal agencies, including the VA, to provide support in time of need. VA's responsibility locally is to coordinate the federal and local response should Syracuse be a location designated to receive disaster victims evacuated from an affected area.

DoD back-up for the VA would include providing and arranging for open beds in appropriate care facilities in the local area (up to 50 miles from Syracuse) should the military healthcare system be unable to meet the demand for beds.