© 2024 Louisville Public Media

Public Files:
89.3 WFPL · 90.5 WUOL-FM · 91.9 WFPK

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact info@lpm.org or call 502-814-6500
89.3 WFPL News | 90.5 WUOL Classical 91.9 WFPK Music | KyCIR Investigations
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Stream: News Music Classical

Louisville Postal Carriers Volunteer to Support Anti-Terrorism Agreement

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer signed an agreement Wednesday alongside state and federal health officials to prepare the county in the event of a bio-terrorism threat.Louisville is the second pilot city to establish a partnership that could deliver medication to nearly 240,000 homes in 48 hours with the help of 322 postal carrier volunteers.Fischer was joined by Edward Gabriel with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Kraig Humbaugh with Kentucky's Department for Public Health and officials from the U.S. Postal Service.Louisville Metro is the second major city to agree to the anti-terrorism model developed by the U.S. Postal Service. Fischer said there is no reason to believe there’s any type of threat to warrant this announcement, but in the event of an attack, medication may be delivered to nearly 240,000 homes in 48 hours.“This agreement is a precaution only. There’s absolutely no evidence to suggest that Louisville faces any type of special threat from a bio-terrorist attack or that we’re at any greater risk than any city here in the country or especially in our area here," said Fischer.A request would have to be made from Fischer to the state, which would then contact the Center for Disease Control to request the medication.The risk of illness is significantly decreased the sooner medication is delivered, said LaQuandra Nesbitt is Louisville’s Director of Public Health.“People like to know where to go and how to get resources, so being able to shelter and place in your home and have the medication delivered directly there to you within 48 hours of an event will be a tremendous benefit to our community," she said.Currently, the agreement only covers antibiotics for bacterial infections, covering mainly anthrax threats, but officials say the model has the potential to expand the medications delivered.