This is a TEST: Points of Dispensing (POD)

At a glance

This toolkit is for This is a TEST POD Edition training and exercise simulation tool for points of dispensing (POD). Rulebook and playthrough video resources cover how to use this tool in your jurisdiction.

This is a TEST POD Edition Logo with pills, medicine and bandage.

Overview

This is a TEST POD Edition (TEST POD) is a training and exercise simulation tool that helps participants understand specific roles and responsibilities at a POD during a public health emergency. The game uses a serious collaborative design to bridge the gap between discussion and operational exercises. It uses narrative-based problems to foster teamwork and discussion of resource management.

Purpose

  • Provide pressures or situations similar to a real emergency.
  • Highlight the need to work together to process the population effectively.

Objectives

TEST POD was designed with several learning and exercise objectives.

  • Provide realistic scenarios that introduce difficult choices and highlight complexity of an emergency response.
  • Facilitate discussion of access and functional needs and health equity considerations for the potentially affected population.
  • Create engaging experiences that foster collaboration and understanding of roles and responsibilities of each organization.
  • Provide ways to visualize process flow and resource needs for a public health response.
  • Enable players to feel more confident transitioning to operational-based exercises.
Group of people around table playing TEST
Preparedness staff using TEST POD to foster cross-sector partnerships.

Who should use TEST POD?

Emergency preparedness and response professionals who may be involved with setting up and operating a POD to respond to a public health emergency.

Player roles include:

  • Health communicators
  • Intake and education staff
  • Logistics coordinators
  • Medical and dispensing professionals
  • Safety officers
  • Security and law enforcement personnel
  • Volunteer coordinators

Other Versions of TEST

Access the This is a TEST main page and other TEST versions by using the following links.

What's included in this toolkit?

Disclaimer‎

Neither the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nor any of their employees, make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information and instructions in this game, including its rulebook. Use of specific trade names and commercial sources does not constitute an endorsement by the authors or by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Images and content may be subject to copyright.

All game components and instructions on how to print.

Provides gameplay rules for using TEST POD.

Overview video for how to setup and play TEST POD.

Discussion guide to accompany TEST POD gameplay and inject selection.