Penn-Delco School District

Strategic National Stockpile/P.O.D. Information

Penn-Delco has been selected to participate in an important program called the Strategic National Stockpile.  It is a federal resource developed and maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is a national repository of antibiotics, life-support medications and numerous other medical supplies.

In the event of a public health emergency, it is the goal of the CDC to make life saving materials available at the local level as quickly as possible.  It is for this reason that Sun Valley High School has been chosen to serve as a community Point of Distribution, or POD.  There are several factors that make Sun Valley an ideal staging location for this program, including the fact that it is easily identifiable by local residents, the availability of adequate floor and parking space and the existence of communication systems, both within the building itself and the community.

In the event of a crisis, we will need about 20 medically qualified personnel for the screening of recipients and dispensing of medications.  Ideal volunteers are those who are licensed medical professionals.  As an alternative, any medical experience would be accepted.

Additionally, a minimum of 100 additional volunteers are needed.  These people would help in a variety of ways, from directing traffic flow to helping inventory and requesting additional supplies.  The plan is to recruit 200 – 250 total volunteers, assuming 50% availability at a time of need.

It is very important to keep in mind that, although Penn-Delco is pleased and willing to offer its facilities to carry out a response such as this, the real volunteer base must come from local civilians, as well as civic & community volunteer organizations.  The County is counting on the residents and township organizations of Aston, Brookhaven and Parkside to provide the manpower to make this successful. 

Citizens interested in volunteering can either send an e-mail to podvolunteer@pdsd.org or leave a message at 610-497-6300, ext. 1888.  Please leave your name, contact information and training or background experience, especially if it is in the medical field.  Someone will contact you.  As responsible members of our community, Penn-Delco has a vested interest in the safety, health and well-being of all our residents.  Thank you for supporting this effort.

Click here for additional information regarding the Strategic National Stockpile Program and Point of Distribution.