Robin Drake/WNEG AM-630/Special to the Independent-Mail

A Stephens County Health Department nurse provides a vaccination as part of an emergency drill Wednesday in preparation for a widespread outbreak of flu.

Stephens County — As officials gathered at the Stephens County Recreation Center Wednesday to treat a widespread outbreak of flu, no one seemed the slightest bit feverish or sick.

That’s because it was just a drill. The only thing real at the site were the needles for the authentic flu shots that were administered.

In a full-scale emergency exercise Wednesday, more than 15 local agencies along with Stephens County Health Department conducted a pandemic flu scenario in Stephens County. Designed to test all the functions of each organization, the frightening scenario included crisis with law enforcement, the school system and even the morgue.

“This is the culmination of over two years of planning,” said Becky Wall, Stephens County Emergency Management Agency director. “I’m impressed with how the local responders can come together in one smooth response.

Along with the fake emergency, the Stephens County Health Department gave real flu shots in a manner that mimicked an emergency situation. Authorities set up the Stephens County Recreation Center to give shots as though they were offering them to a large number of people.

“Preparing for any type of emergency makes our community better prepared,” said Dave Palmer, spokesman for the Georgia Department of Public Health. “I think any time agencies can work together and learn about each other, that it helps the citizens in our area.”

In addition to the exercise Wednesday, the Stephens County School System and Stephens County Hospital started their portion of the exercise last week to simulate a growing flu crisis.

At the hospital, they became aware of the crisis first when 15 simulated patients showed up with flu-like symptoms. Very quickly, the emergency room gets overwhelmed. At the school system, the emergency progressed through the week until they had 15 percent of their students and 30 percent of their teachers absent. They had to order food from Florida to be able to continue to feed students.

Authorities initially deemed the day a success, but say all the agencies involved will come together in a few weeks to debrief the day and list what went well and what could be improved.