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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cities Readiness Initiative?

The Cities Readiness Initiative is a federally funded effort to prepare major U.S. cities and metropolitan areas to effectively respond to a large scale bioterrorist event by dispensing antibiotics to their entire identified population within 48 hours of the decision to do so.

Why is CRI necessary?

CRI is needed to enhance preparedness at all levels of government and to provide a consistent nationwide approach to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a large-scale public health emergency.

What are the specific risks for the citizens in my city?

Past events have taught us that the risk of terrorism—including bioterrorism—being perpetrated against Americans, is real. The ability to quickly deliver countermeasures to a large population is a central component of public health preparedness.

How is CRI funded?

Since 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided funding for CRI through the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement to enhance the mass dispensing capabilities of the CRI cities. Funds are provided to the states for further distribution to the local level, except for Washington DC, Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles, which are directly funded cities.

What assistance does CDC provide in CRI?

CDC's Coordination Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER), Division of Strategic National Stockpile (DSNS), provides technical assistance on the planning process by helping to identify resources and training opportunities for participating cities. The DSNS utilizes a number of venues including educational web casts, guidebooks, and training classes to share information and lessons learned from federal, state and local perspectives. In addition, CRI cities are evaluated regularly by DSNS program consultants during a CRI assessment process.

What Is A POD?

A POD is a community-based dispensing point for vaccinations or medications. A POD is also referred to as a dispensing site, dispensing clinic or Neighborhood Distribution Center (NDC).

When Does A POD Open?

The public health authority, upon determining a public health threat exists, will notify local emergency management that a POD or PODs will be activated.

What Can Activate A POD?

The public health authority, upon determining a public health threat exists, will notify local emergency management that a POD or PODs will be activated:

Natural Disaster: Natural disasters can provide the conditions for the development and spread of disease among the affected population.
Disease Outbreak: Naturally occuring disease outbreaks may require the activation of a POD. Examples are Pandemic Flu, SARS, Hepatitis A, etc. Disease outbreaks may require response in a timeframe as limited as 48 hours.
Terrorism: Biological agents have been intentionally released in the past to cause harm as well as spread fear and panic.

Where Are The Community PODS?

Click on your county to find out more information.

What Is The Primary Goal Of A POD

Decrease the number of individuals within the community of becoming ill. Community first-response teams will be treated first so that they can continue to serve the community in the event of a disaster.