Emergency Preparedness

The purpose of the health department’s emergency preparedness program is to improve the department’s ability to respond to threats to public health, including acts of bioterrorism, hazmat incidents, natural disasters, and potential disease outbreaks.

The health department:

Provides emergency preparedness awareness and education, including 72-hour kits at health fairs and other forums.
Collaborates with partners (the Local Emergency Preparedness Committee, Red Cross, Veterans Administration, St. Peter's Hospital, etc.) that provide emergency services in an effort to integrate community preparedness.
Offers presentations about pandemic influenza and 72-hour preparedness to community groups.
Facilitates volunteer opportunities at the health department both during regular operations and during emergencies.

Public Health Emergency Response Plans

Public Health All Hazard Annex(PDF, 889KB) to County Emergency Operations Plan, Aug. 2018
Communicable Disease Investigation and Surveillance Protocol(PDF, 544KB), July 2017
Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions Plan(PDF, 817KB), Oct. 2019

Resources for Individual and Family Preparedness

Disaster Preparedness Calendar(PDF, 569KB) (screen reader version(PDF, 401KB))

Ready.gov

Make a Disaster Plan

Build a Disaster Kit

Make a Family Communication Plan(PDF, 139KB)

Fred the Preparedness Dog (resources and activities for children, parents, teachers)

Public Health: Emergency Responders without Uniforms

When you think of emergency responders, public health might not immediately come to mind. But history has shown that biological attacks on our population can be just as deadly and disruptive – perhaps even more so -- as natural disasters and mass shootings. Read more.(PDF, 43KB)