The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced the release of CRC SimPLER, a free, publicly available, online tool to help state and local emergency and public health planners prepare for setting up community reception centers (CRCs) to monitor people following a large-scale radiation emergency. CRC SimPLER enables planners to estimate their throughput based on currently available resources. Planners can also determine where additional resources would be most beneficial to optimize their response goals.
To introduce CRC SimPLER, ASTHO and the National Alliance for Radiation Readiness (NARR) hosted a workshop on Monday, January 25 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm ET via Zoom. CDC’s Lauren Finklea and Jennifer Buzzell presented. Ms. Buzzell briefly discussed the role that the Public Health Emergency Preparedness funding source can be leveraged to support radiation preparedness in jurisdictions and Ms. Finklea introduced the basics of CRC SimPLER followed by an opportunity to practice using the tool. Facilitators provided a sample scenario and discussion questions in break out groups for attendees to gain hands-on experience.
