POD Evaluation, Planning and Selection Checklist
Introduction
Purpose: To provide a checklist for identifying and assessing county points of dispensing (PODs) in
North Carolina.
1. What is a POD?
a. The POD is the location designated by the local Health Department as the site(s) to which the
residents of the county will receive prophylactic medications when necessary.
2. What is the purpose of this checklist?
a. The purpose of this checklist is to provide guidelines on identifying proper PODs. This checklist
covers:
 Guidelines for identifying acceptable characteristics of potential PODs.
 Requirements listed in the Technical Assistance Review for dispensing prophylaxis
(Section 10) that pertains to the site itself.
3. How is the checklist completed?
a. The checklist is divided into two sections a Site Selection Considerations and a Site Evaluation
checklist and should be completed prior to an event.
b. The Site Selection Considerations portion should be reviewed first. After reviewing these
considerations, sites should be evaluated using the Site Evaluation Checklist
c. Sites that do not meet all of the requirements in the Site Evaluation Checklist are not
necessarily disqualified.
4. Who is responsible for filling out information on the checklist?
a. The County Preparedness Coordinator or his/her designated representative should fill out the
POD checklist with all pertinent information.
b. However; once the checklist has been filled out it should be submitted to the Regional PHRST
Pharmacist and the State SNS Coordinator.
Site Selection Considerations
→ Selection of POD sites should be based on a worst-case scenario. Facilities should be
assessed with consideration to providing prophylaxis to the entire population of the
county/municipalities involved. Remember it is much easier to scale down an operation then to
expand.
→ Magnitude, type, and location of the incident determine the number of people exposed and
therefore, the number and location of the sites needed to protect people within a specific time
period. A greater number of sites enable easier public access, reduced length of line,
decreased time for and increased efficiency in distribution. The trade off is the need for more
security, delivery vehicles, drivers, and core staff members-particularly pharmacists, doctors,
nurses. Therefore it may be more advantageous to have larger and fewer sites.
→ Triage should be located a short distance from the distribution site, Triage design should
include:
o Climate controlled waiting area.
o Special needs accommodations
o Sanitary facilities
o Privacy for medical counsel
→ Operating hours at each site should be planned for 24 hours a day until the community
receives the first protective regimen.
→ In addition to size and location, consider accessibility to major roads and transportation.
→ The facility should have the capacity to handle large numbers of people under cover and out of
the weather.
→ Each site should have, at a minimum, the following characteristics:
o Heat and air conditioning to maintain temperature requirements
o Refrigeration for vaccines
o Adequate bathrooms, water and electricity
o Unloading area for receipt of supplies
o Adequate parking for staff and public
o Handicap accessibility
o Rest/break area for staff and volunteers
→ Possible facilities to consider for POD locations:
o Public schools
 Schools often have
 Well established bus routes that can be used during the emergency to get
people to the POD;
 Parking lots, long corridors, large classrooms, cafeterias, private offices,
and other immediately available resources
 Offer a physical structure that can meet most distribution/POD site needs;
 Established mechanism for communicating with their constituencies;
 Systems of communication between rooms as well as security monitors;
and
 Printing facilities;

 Office space
The use of multiple school sites (as staffing permits) will minimize parking and
crowding problems at each individual POD.
o Community recreation centers
 Community centers are often have:
 Well known locations;
 Overhead speaker systems;
 Multiple rooms to be used; and
 Office equipment and supplies.
o Arenas
 Arenas of have:
 The ability to support large numbers of people;
 Large parking lots or parking arrangements;
 Adequate restroom and break facilities;
 Are well know to residents;
 Overhead speaker systems; and
 Multiple spaces that can be utilized.
o Military Bases
 Military bases may be able to offer
 The ability to support large numbers of people;
 Large parking lots or parking arrangements;
 Adequate restroom and break facilities;
 Are well know to residents;
 Overhead speaker systems; and
 Multiple spaces that can be utilized
 Inherent security
 Office equipment and Material Handling Equipment (MHE)
County
Date
______
POD Evaluation, Planning and Selection Checklist
Person Completing form: ____________________________ Phone #: _________________
Facility Name:
Street Address:
City and zip code:
Site’s Physical Characteristics:
(Site characteristics should include
information on who owns the building. If
the facility is owned by a private company
or is a state or local government building.)
Contact Person(s)/ Site Manager
Business Hours Primary:
Name:
Work Phone:
Cell:
Pager:
Email:
Business Hours Alternate:
Name:
Work Phone:
Cell:
Pager:
Email:
Emergency Contact24/7 (After Hours) Primary:
Name:
Work Phone:
Cell:
Pager:
Emergency Contact24/7 (After Hours) Alternate:
Name:
Work Phone:
Cell:
Pager:
MOA in place?
YES
NO
General Site Information
Facility Size (Estimated usable square feet)
Number of usable rooms
Is the site available 24/7?
If not, what are the restrictions?
.
Is the site climate controlled (68-78 F.)
Are there multiple levels (steps between rooms/multiple floors)?
If yes, are elevators available?
Do the roads leading to the site allow for easy access?
Is public transportation available to and from the site?
Is a separate/adjacent setting for Triage area available?
Can the site be available for use in exercises or trainings?
Has the facility been designated for other functions during an emergency?
If so, explain:
______ sq ft
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
Is regular garbage pick-up and disposal available?
How will medical waste be handled? _____________________________
__________________________________________________________
Yes
No
Is the site located in a flood prone area?
Is the facility and surrounding environment free of hazardous materials and
Yes
No
chemical, biological, mechanical hazards?
Name of closest medical
facility/hospital:________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________
________
Approximate number of miles location from site:___________
General Comments about the site:
Exterior Information
Number of external entrances/exit door to site
Estimated number of parking spaces at site
Ancillary parking at close proximity?
Number of miles to ancillary location: __________
Are handicap accessible entrances and exits available?
Are loading dock(s) available?
How many? ______________________
Can the loading dock(s) accommodate up to 53’ trailer?
Is there adequate exterior lighting around the building perimeter?
Is the parking area well lit?
Does facility exterior/interior have the capacity to place large numbers of
people under cover/out of weather?
If no, what contingency plan is available for providing this type of shelter?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
______________________
Other exterior notes:
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
Interior Information
**Floor plans and photos of the site should be provided with this checklist. See last page for details.**
Yes
Number of electrical outlets sufficient?
Yes
Are adequate bathrooms/toilets available?
Yes
Is potable water available?
Yes
Is there sufficient interior lighting to allow completion of forms, etc?
Yes
Is a large waiting/assembly area(s) available?
Are separate rooms for evaluations of exposed and/or ill individuals
available?
Are separate rooms for behavioral health assessment and interventions
available?
Is there secure storage area for receipt/storage of medical supplies?
Is there an area for audio/video orientation?
Do doorways and hallways accommodate wheelchairs?
Is a break room available for staff/volunteers?
Are kitchen facilities available?
Other interior notes:
Security/Building Safety
Can the site be secured/access controlled?
Estimated minimal number of required security personnel for interior of
facility?
Estimated minimal number of required security personnel for building
perimeter?
Estimated minimal number of required security personnel traffic control?
Has a written site security plan been developed that meets requirements
listed in Attachment A?
Who holds and maintains this plan?
Contact Name/Agency:________________________________________
Phone Number:__(___)_________________
Fire Safety:
Annual fire inspection conducted?
Fire extinguishers available?
Fire Alarms/Smoke detection system?
Fire sprinkler/suppression systems?
Marked exits/fire evacuation plans posted?
Is emergency lighting available?
Are First Aid Kits available?
Other Safety/Security notes:
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Communications
Number of telephone land-lines?
Is there adequate cellular phone reception inside the site?
Is Internet access available?
Internet Service
Provider:______________________________________________
Is there a Fax machine on site?
Does it operate on a dedicated line?
Are public use phones available?
Are computers available for use?
If no, will computers be brought to the site during an event?
Are printers available for use?
If no, will printers be brought to the site during an event?
Is IT support available on site?
IT provided by:_______________________________________________
Is a Public Address (PA) System available at the site?
Will any of the following methods of communication be used?
Web EOC
Satellite phones
HAM/Amateur radio
UHF/VHF/800 MHz radios
Is POD staff trained on those marked “yes”?
Other Communications notes:
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Equipment
Is refrigeration available onsite?
Is there a generator onsite?
Can generator supply entire facility with power?
Is fuel available onsite?
Are copy machine(s) available?
Is materiel handling equipment (MHE) available?
Carts?
Hand trucks?
Pallets?
Pallet jacks?
Are two-way radios available?
Are an adequate number of tables/chairs available?
Will POD go-kits be used?
Pre-assembled?
Assembled at time of event based on checklist?
(A sample list of supplies and equipment that may be needed is included in Version 10.02 of
the SNS guidance)
Are information signs printed and ready for use?
Are written inventories of onsite office equipment and MHE available? If not,
lists should be created.
Other equipment notes:
Staffing
Have the following been identified with POC and Backup
and job action sheets?
POD Manager
IT/Communications
Safety Officer
Logistics Officer
Greeters
Triage Team
Greeter/Triage Team
Forms/Data Collection
Interpreters
Other:
Other:
Is there adequate staff available?
POC and Back
up?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Job Action
Sheet created?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Operating Hours: Can the POD(s) operate for 24-hours per day for several
Yes
days and maybe longer?
Yes
Availability on short notice: Can staff be available within 12-24 hours?
Yes
Is there POD operating guide for the staff?
Yes
Has the POD staff be trained?
If not will the staff receive just-in-time training?
Yes
How many staff are available and trained?
Yes
Has a written care/feed plan been developed?
Who maintains the list of POD staff?
How often is it updated?
Name and contact information for person responsible for notifying POD staff during an
event?
Name:__________________________________________________
Phone #:______________________ Back-up #:______________________
Other staffing notes:
No
No
No
No
No
No
Supplemental Information:
Diagrams and Pictures:
Diagrams and/or plans of the interior layout should be included.
Interior and exterior shots should be provided. A flow diagram for the location should also be
included.
Below is an example of an interior shot of the facility empty and diagram with approximate locations
of where SNS assets
Example
Pictures
Examples:
Example
Attachment 8: Sample POD Flow Plans
There are many ways to set-up flow through a POD. Most often, the
location will determine the exact flow. Following are 3 samples.
GREETER and ENTRY SCREEING
FORMS DISTRIBUTION
TRIAGE
MEDICAL EVALUATION
MENTAL HEALTH
SCREENING
EDUCATION
TRANSPORT
DRUG TRIAGE
EXPRESS DRUG DISPENSING
ASSISTED DRUG DISPENSING
FORMS COLLECTION
EXIT
DATA ENTRY