Harrisonburg-Rockingham Flu Plan--WHSV

Health officials expect an active flu season, and cities and counties in the valley are putting together preparedness plans.The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Emergency Task Force, has gathered the resources of more than twenty agencies, and has worked closely with the state department of health to create it's plan."What our plan is, is a very basic plan that shows us who's responsible for what, and who will do what," says Rockingham County fire chief Robbie Symons.Chief Symons presented the 31 page emergency plan to the board of supervisors Wednesday night.It breaks down the responsibilities of local government, law enforcement, emergency agencies, hospitals, and even schools.The plan includes guidelines for canceling classes, and quarantine guidelines for sick people."The comforting part is that we've worked together for several years, and we know what our capabilities are, and we know what resources we have within each agency," Chief Symons says about the task force.The protocol may not be final..Chief Symons says, as the number of flu virus infections changes, so might the guidelines to address it"As the CDC may change the way they do things, or the health department has recommendations, we're going to change our plan based on what those recommendations are," says chief Symons.The task force will conduct a drill to test the plan, which may be modified at that time.