The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) contains large quantities of medicine and medical supplies to protect the public in the event of a public health emergency such as a terrorist attack, flu outbreak or natural disaster. The SNS supplements and resupplies hospitals and state/local public health agencies when an emergency overwhelms local resources anywhere, any time in the U.S. or its territories.

The SNS is organized for flexible response. The first line of support lies within the immediate response 12-hour push packages. These are caches of pharmaceuticals, antidotes and medical supplies that provide rapid delivery of a broad spectrum of assets in the early hours of an event. If the incident requires additional pharmaceuticals and/or medical supplies, follow-on vendor managed inventory (VMI) supplies are shipped to arrive within 24-36 hours. If the agent is well-defined, VMI can be tailored to provide pharmaceuticals, supplies and/or products specific to the suspected or confirmed agent(s).

The commonwealth SNS program is led by the Department for Public Health (DPH) which acts in close coordination with Kentucky Emergency Management (KyEM) and other key state agencies. The Public Health Preparedness Branch (PHPB) coordinates SNS planning and training using an all-hazards approach. The PHPB also is responsible for maintaining the state SNS program in compliance with federal grants, statutes and executive directives. DPH also offers assistance and guidance to local health departments (LHDs) and districts as they act as the lead agencies on the local and county levels in similar coordination with local and county governments, emergency management agencies, health care institutions and other key partners.

If you have questions or wish to share comments with us concerning Kentucky Strategic National Stockpile Program or for further information, please contact:

Rick Johnson, State Strategic National Stockpile Coordinator
Heather Walls, State Cities Readiness Initiative Coordinator

SNS Emergency Communication Guide

The Kentucky Strategic National Stockpile Emergency Communication Guide was created to assist state and local public health and public information officers in their response to a public emergency. This guide is specifically meant to serve as a resource in case of an event occurring in Kentucky that requires the deployment of the SNS. A public health emergency requires communication among all responding agencies as well as public information for the media and affected Kentucky citizens. A pandemic influenza appendix was added to the guide. SNSE Emergency Communication Guide. This guide can be used to help meet some of the state and local CDC Technical Assessment Review communication requirements.

SNS Pictogram Signage

DPH developed pictogram signage for local health departments to use to direct people through Points of Dispensing (PODs) and mass care clinics that would serve as dispensing sites for SNS assets such as vaccines or prophylaxis. Pictogram signs use images to communicate information to people who may be challenged in understanding written or spoken English such as deaf and hard of hearing and non-English speaking people. These signs can be used to assist in meeting communications requirements of the CDC state and local Technical Assessment Reviews. Many of the pictogram signs also can be used in an all-hazards manner and at disaster assistance centers or in shelters.

The pictogram signage illustrates key POD functions, such as registration and, as a complete package, creates a step-by-step approach to public flow through a POD. These signs were designed to complement the Kentucky SNS training program and online training modules available on the TRAIN Kentucky Learning Management System. Each sign includes a picture and accompanying words in English and Spanish. The pictogram signage is available for LHDs to download and use at walk-in and drive-thru PODs. Staff can choose from a variety of sizes, file formats and layouts when selecting the signs that best accommodate their messaging needs and POD settings. The pictogram signage files are available in .JPEG, .PDF and PowerPoint formats. The signs were designed so the LHDs can add their logos, color borders and/or additional languages if needed. Signage file package

The pictogram signage project is the result of a two-year research project which helped DPH better meet the communication needs of vulnerable populations at PODs. After determining which messages are critical in guiding people through PODs, DPH pictograms were tested through focus groups and surveys with people with limited English proficiency and deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. The pictogram designs were revised according to the research findings and retested to ensure they effectively conveyed the intended messages.

The pictogram research and development project issued final reports for 2007 and 2008.

To help LHDs with displaying the pictogram signage for mass dispensing clinics or PODs, DPH created recommendations based primarily on the Americans with Disabilities Act and U.S. Access Board Design Guidelines. These are voluntary guidelines. here View the recommendations.

View the CDC webcast Mass Antibiotic Dispensing: Engaging At-risk Populations featuring the work Kentucky has done in the field of communicating with at-risk populations for mass dispensing.

DPH created additional picture-based resources, including a folding pocket card and children's coloring book. These resources include important information about emergency preparedness such as key items for an emergency kit and ways to stay safe in emergencies.

To share comments with us concerning the pictogram signage, or for further information, please contact Barbara Fox.