CUMBERLAND - Mayor Daniel J. McKee announced the Medical Distribution System (MEDS) plan for the town of Cumberland has been approved by the Rhode Island Department of Health.

According to McKee, the MEDS plan provides guidance and information for the town to conduct an emergency distribution of vaccines or drugs in the event of a terrorist event, hazardous materials incident, or other public health emergency. The procedures outlined in the plan may be used for the emergency distribution of pharmaceuticals and vaccines to address any other health issues.

Cumberland is only one of a handful of communities that have had their plan reviewed and approved by the Department of Health, McKee said.

As a result of this early approval, Cumberland will receive a $2,000 grant that will be utilized to enhance the town's response to a public health emergency.

The 108-page document outlines the protocols that will be used to provide vaccines or drugs to all of the town's 30,000-plus residents when and if a public health emergency is declared by the state or federal government.

According to McKee, Cumberland High School has been identified as the primary point of dispensing for a public health emergency. Town officials and the Department of Health are currently in the process of scheduling a table-top exercise and an eventual full scale MEDS drill to assess the effectiveness of the MEDS plan, he said.

"A full scale exercise will give local public safety officials the opportunity to observe the implementation of the plan, document lessons learned, and be prepared to deploy the plan in an actual declared emergency," said McKee.

"It is very important that the town be prepared to respond immediately and effectively to safeguard the health of town residents," added McKee.