The worst-case scenario is not expected in regards to the circulation of the novel H1N1 virus in Fayette County.

But if that scenario develops, and a mass inoculation site is activated to administer vaccines to thousands of people, local officials are ready to make it happen.

And they will be helped by members of Peachtree City’s Community Emergency Response Team.

While the CERT members will not be administering the drugs themselves, they will be helping in a variety of ways with administrative and logistical duties to make sure things go as smoothly as possible.

Capt. Pete Nelms, Fayette County’s Emergency Management Coordinator, said the CERT team is an excellent resource to help with such situations.

The mass inoculation site is referred to as a Point of Distribution, also known as POD. In addition to distributing vaccines, PODs also can be used to distribute other critical medications should the need arise, Nelms said.

Should a POD ever be activated, manpower is one of the most critical need that must be addressed, Nelms said.

Peachtree City’s CERT team is comprised of more than 200 volunteers who have taken specialized courses on various types of emergency response scenarios. CERT team members were trained this past weekend on the POD process so they can be prepared to help should any PODs ever be activated, Nelms said.

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