Cities Readiness Initiative

Overview

The Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) is a federally funded program through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designed to enhance preparedness in the nation’s major metropolitan statistical areas. Through CRI, state and local public health departments have developed plans to quickly receive and distribute medicine and medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to local communities in response to a large-scale public health emergency. The goal of CRI is to provide prophylaxis to the affected population within 48 hours of the decision to do so.

Miami-Dade County is one of 14 CRI funded counties in Florida. The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County (FDOH-Miami-Dade) works with the CDC, Florida Department of Health, the Regional Domestic Security Task Force, Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management, local law enforcement and fire/rescue agencies, and other community partners to develop, maintain, train and exercise response plans.

Points of Dispensing

To dispense the prophylactic medications, the DOH will open point of dispensing (POD) locations where healthy community members can come receive medications to protect themselves and family members following possible exposure, free of charge. During an activation, the locations of PODs will be made available through media, our website, and other avenues to ensure everyone knows where to go, what to bring, and what to expect.

In order to reach everyone who will potentially need to receive post-exposure prophylaxis, the DOH in Miami-Dade partners with private businesses and organizations that would like to support the overall effort.  Closed PODs are intended solely to provide prophylaxis to the pre-identified employees, members, and households of the partner business or organization. Partner organizations receive planning support and training free of charge.  By becoming closed PODs, organizations reduce the number of people seeking prophylaxis at public PODs resulting in shorter lines and faster care for everyone.

Who should partner with CRI?

By working together through public and private partnerships and with help from volunteers from the Miami-Dade Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), we are better prepared to respond to public health emergencies. An agreement would need to be developed between and signed by the organization and the county health department.  We rely heavily on partnerships to ensure the best outcome for the community during times of emergencies. 

Organizations with fixed populations or with large employee/member populations are eligible to become closed PODs.  Medical expertise is not required, and time commitments are flexible to meet the needs of the organization.  Public, private, faith-based, and civic organizations are welcome and encouraged to participate. For more information on how your business or organization can become a partner of Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County CRI, please email:

MiamiDadeCRI@flhealth.gov