Volunteer patients?

On Saturday, emergency response authorities here will test how well they can set up and treat folks in the event of a large-scale public health emergency – and they could use you as a patient.

To be prepared for widespread public health emergencies – from a flu epidemic all the way to an act of bioterrorism -- the county’s Bioterrorism Response Team plans and trains in the event that they might need to dispense medication to the 750,000-plus residents of this county within a 48-hour span.

So Saturday morning at Plano East Senior High, the response team and volunteers from the Medical Reserve Corps will test how well the can set up and operate an emergency dispensary for the public. In this case, volunteer patients will be treated with a piece of hard candy – but you get the idea behind it all.

If you can help by participating as a mock patient in this mock emergency, please stop by 3000 Los Rios Blvd. in Plano Saturday at 10:30 a.m. It shouldn’t take long to get your dose, and it will help our volunteers and staff get prepared.