Distributing lifesaving antibiotics to 9,000 people within 24 hours of a bioterrorism attack is among the responsibilities of the Environment, Health and Safety Directorate of the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research. With that life-or-death mission in mind, EHS ran a drill on July 19 at the NCI at Frederick in response to a simulated attack.

As part of Occupational Health Services’ ongoing workplace wellness program, Poster will highlight employees who are committed to health and wellness. The first edition features the current OHS interns.

Waiting in line usually isn’t the way to prepare for a life-or-death situation, but this Friday will be an exception. NCI at Frederick will take part in an exercise that tests how quickly it could distribute antibiotics to employees, families, and visitors in response to a simulated bioterrorism anthrax attack in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Employees will be asked to go to Building 426, fill out a two-question form, briefly wait in line, and pick up the “pill bottles.” Participation is voluntary, but the Environment, Health, and Safety Directorate (EHS)—which is supervising the exercise—needs at least 50 people and is asking everyone on the NCI at Frederick campus to participate.

Occupational Health Services (OHS) is making strides in creating a comprehensive workplace health program at NCI at Frederick and the Frederick National Laboratory—literally and figuratively. In recent months, the group held two walks, started a weekly walking group, and distributed health-related educational information. Its most recent achievement is establishing the Wellness Committee, a team of 15 employees who represent the many groups at NCI at Frederick and the Frederick National Laboratory.

This week, Werner H. Kirsten student interns Emme Tissue and Esteban Garcia are launching a training course that could mean the difference between life and death. The duo will teach a class on halting uncontrolled bleeding in individuals who have experienced traumatic injuries such as gunshot wounds or major lacerations.