The Nevada State Health Division, department of Public Health Preparedness Program, will host two local community preparedness meetings.

Due to Nye County's size, a separate meeting will be held in both the southern and northern regions of the district.

For county residents down south, the meeting will be held Monday, Aug. 20, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Pahrump Nugget private dining room in Stockman's Steakhouse.

Residents of northern Nye County will have their meeting Thursday, Aug. 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Tonopah Station in the downstairs meeting room. All participants will be provided dinner.

The purpose of the focus-group type meeting is to assess the current state of health preparedness and response plans in the community and to foster communication between the state and local levels.

In addition, since the Health Division is in the process of wrapping up its grant year, the meetings will also be an opportunity for participants to address specific county needs that will help the department better orient their funding requests for the following year.

The meetings will be held in a focus group format and specifically address the following objectives: construct a matrix regarding the stage of development of preparedness plans by county and organization, setting priorities for technical assistance needs in the area of health and emergency preparedness, identify health and medical preparedness training needs, and construct an exercise calendar.

To attend the meeting for either location, or for more information, contact Nevada Griffin of the Local Preparedness and Response Team via phone or email.

Griffin can be reached by calling (775) 684-5905 or by email at ngriffin @health.nv.gov.