Emergency Preparedness Exercise

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do when the postal carrier puts the box in my mailbox?
   You do not need to do anything. You may recycle the cardboard box and the flyer or keep it if you wish.
   
   
2. Will the police come to my door?
   No, the police officer accompanying the postal carrier will not come to your door. The officer will stay by the postal delivery truck or on the sidewalk.
   
   
3. Why would a police officer need to participate in this drill?
   In an emergency, people may need to get medication as quickly as possible so they don’t become sick. Having a police officer follow the delivery route provides security for the postal carrier and the medication supply, allowing the deliveries to take place as safely and quickly as possible.
   
   
4. Will every residence receive a cardboard box?
   Every residence in the 02132 and 02118 zip codes will receive a box and a flyer. If the cardboard box and flyer are not able to fit in the mailbox or mail slot, the box and flyer will be left at the residence doorstep.
   
   
5. Do I need to be home when the mail carrier comes to my door?
   No. The mail carrier will leave the box and the flyer just as if they were delivering mail on any other day.
   
   
6. Why is this test exercise happening now?
   Planners in Boston and in 20 other major cities across the country have been working with their USPS counterparts on how postal carriers might play a role in delivering medications to households during an emergency. This exercise in Boston is the latest in a series. Previous USPS exercises have take place in Seattle and Philadelphia, just in the past year – and others are planned down the road, in two other cities.
   
   
7. What are you seeking to learn from this test exercise?
   The participating agencies are using this test to learn how delivery of medications would work in an emergency. They will observe how medications are readied for delivery, how delivery teams are assembled, and how deliveries are carried out.
   
   After the test exercise is completed, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the United States Postal Service will review the results to determine the next steps in this effort.
   
   
8. How will my family and I receive medication during an emergency?
   If a bioterrorist attack happens in Boston, large numbers of people may need medications quickly to prevent sickness. To get these medications to people during an emergency, the City would open up special medication dispensing centers. People will be directed to go to these centers to pick up medications for their families. Postal carriers may also be able to get these emergency medications to people, by going door to door to deliver a supply of medications directly to households.
   
   
9. Is the use of postal carriers the only way to deliver medication in a bioterrorism emergency?
   In some emergency situations, it may be important to distribute medicines quickly, and the use of postal carriers is being considered as one way to distribute emergency medication.
   
   In order to get medication or vaccine to thousands of people during an emergency, the City would also open up special medication dispensing centers. These would be located throughout the city for people to go to pick up medications for their family or to get a vaccine.
   
   
10. If this were an actual emergency, how would you notify the public?
    In an actual emergency, you should tune in to the local news for directions from City and public health officials on how to get medication and keep yourself safe.
    
    
11. Where can I learn more about this initiative and emergency preparedness?
    To learn more visit: www.readyboston.org
    
    
12. Who is sponsoring this exercise?
    The federal Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Postal Service are sponsoring this exercise. The City of Boston, the Boston Public Health Commission, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Boston Police Department, and the National Association of Letter Carriers are also participating.
    
    
13. How can I prepare for an emergency?
    The City of Boston and the Boston Public Health Commission recommend 8 simple tips that families can take to prepare for an emergency. Read the brochure.
    
    To find out more about emergency preparedness visit www.bphc.org/prepare and http://www.cityofboston.gov/emergency/.
    
    
14. How can I help the City of Boston prepare for an emergency?
    The Boston Medical Reserve Corps is a committed group of volunteers, with and without medical backgrounds, who keep Boston safe by responding to public health emergencies. Recent events have taught us that cities need to be ready for anything, including natural disasters, terrorism, and disease. You can help ensure that all Bostonians, especially the most vulnerable, receive the care they need during a public health crisis. To find out more, go to Medical Reserve Corps.