What is CRI?

ROCKWALL COUNTY VIP Volunteers Informed & Prepared

Public Health Emergency Support Volunteer Organization

Rockwall County, along with other metroplex counties, was selected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to participate in a pilot emergency planning program called the Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI). The CRI is a federally mandated program to both plan and prepare major metropolitan areas to dispense needed drugs and medical supplies within hours of the decision to do so, in the event of a potentially infectious disease spread or bioterrorism event.

The CRI mission is assist local communities to prevent death, disability, disease and injury associated with urgent health threats by improving preparedness of the public health system. Medications must be dispensed to the “population at risk” within days to avert mass casualties. Of foremost concern is the ability to respond in a timely manner to a bioterrorism attack over a large geographic area with an agent, such as Anthrax. This plan will also help prepare for non-intentional events, such as Pandemic Influenza.


	The Dallas/Ft. Worth Metropolitan Service Area (MSA) was included for CRI funding, along with Houston, San Antonio, Los Angeles, New York City, Washington DC, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, San Francisco and others.

The expected outcome from receiving CRI funding is to enhance collaboration between all agencies in Rockwall County and across the Metroplex. These results will help Rockwall County ensure it is better prepared to deploy all available assets to its residents in an effective and efficient manner. Rockwall County will have regular deliverables to achieve while implementing the CRI program. These clear and measurable goals will be determined by County Officials and approved by the CDC. All deficiencies identified in planning or execution will be immediately identified and addressed. Regular reporting on progress to the CDC will validate the effectiveness of the program and dollars spent. CRI funding gives Rockwall County a unique opportunity to incorporate new knowledge into local community planning, ultimately providing critical response information to other cities, counties and states across the nation.


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