Bureau of Emergency Management (BEM)

Medical Reserve Corps

Be Prepared!
10 Quick Facts on
Emergency Medication "Points of Dispensing"

1. If a bioterrorist attack or widespread disease outbreak ever occurs, New York City will open temporary emergency “Points of Dispensing” (PODs) in every affected neighborhood to provide emergency medication to protect against the threat.
2. Medication will be free. No one will be billed or asked for insurance.
3. Personal identification will NOT be required. No one will be asked about immigration status.
4. PODs will only provide medication to prevent or treat the disease threat at hand. They will NOT give out other medications or provide medical care.
   
   For example, if New York City is attacked with anthrax, PODs will only dispense antibiotics for anthrax. They will not give out medicine for other conditions, such high blood pressure or diabetes. For medicines to treat other conditions, people will be told to go to their doctor or a hospital.
5. PODs will not treat sick people. People will be told to go to a hospital if they are sick – not to a POD.
6. Everyone will need to be patient. Because in a biological disaster many people will need medicine, lines will be very long at PODs.
7. Families will stay together as they go through the POD.
8. We will try to take care of people with infant children, and those who are frail or disabled, FIRST.
9. Every effort will be made to provide interpreters at PODs.
10. Be prepared!
    • Bring a list of the regular medications you and your children take.
    • Know how much your children weigh (dosages for children are calculated according to their weight).
    • Dress appropriately for the weather.
    • Pack food and water in case you need it. (For security purposes, use clear, see-through bags instead of backpacks to avoid delays.)