Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness and Response 

The Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County Emergency Preparedness Office is actively involved in planning and responding to the public health needs of the community in times of emergency or disaster. Priorities of the Public Health Prepardeness (PHP) office is to assure that delivery of essential medical and public health services are maintained or restored following a disaster and that assistance is provided to meet emergency needs of the affected population.

Key Activities

Public Health Preparedness Emergency Planning

Emergency planning at the Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County is organized and managed by the Public Health Preparedness (PHP) program. The goal of these activities is to make sure Gadsden County is prepared to take action against bioterrorism, disease outbreaks and other emergencies that affect the health of the citizens of Gadsden County.

The Key Planning Activities below will give you an idea of the scope of the planning that your health department does in its effort to be fully prepared to assist the citizens and visitors of Gadsden County.

Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Planning

• The PHP Program is tasked to do the planning, training and facilitation of exercises to assure readiness upon requesting and receiving the SNS assets.
• The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is a logistical resource to supplement requirements for medicine and medical supplies at the location of a disaster or terrorist event. The SNS increases the preparedness capability of local agencies to respond to an event. The Health Department trains and exercises for the use of SNS materials with county emergency response agencies to ensure efficiency and cohesiveness among partners.
• For more information on the SNS, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at www.bt.cdc.gov/stockpile

Pandemic Influenza

• PHP coordinates the planning and educational efforts for the response to pandemic influenza for all of Gadsden County.
• PHP monitors the situation of the Avian Influenza outbreak throughout the world, as well as other emerging infectious diseases.
• Disaster Plans, educational presentations, strategic meetings, the development of exercises and after action reports are all activities of the PHP program. Contact the PHP program for more information.
• For more information on pandemic influenza, including helpful planning tools for individuals, business, and health care facilities, visit www.pandemicflu.gov.
• For more information on planning specifically for employers, visit the following site by OSHA: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/influenza_pandemic.html

Special Needs Shelters

• In s. 381.0303, the Department of Health, through its county health departments, is the designated lead agency for coordination of the recruitment of health care practitioners to staff special needs shelters in times of emergency or disaster and to provide resources to the department to carry out this responsibility.
• Agencies and organizations in the community have the responsibility to the special needs population and should have input into the design (addressing the four phases of emergency management - preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation), activation (pre-storm), operation (during storm) and deactivation (post-storm) of the Special Needs Shelter. These organizations and agencies include, but are not limited to the local Gadsden County Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), American Red Cross, home health care agencies, hospice organizations, extended care living facilities, oxygen and durable medical equipment providers and others.
• Special Needs Shelter Registration Form

Special Needs Shelter (SpNS) Information

• Populations Vulnerable to High Winds and Flooding:
  • Live in mobile homes
  • Live in low areas
  • Have special care requirements - especially those on electrically-operated medical equipment
  • Live alone and require transportation

• Steps to Take Prior to Registration:
  • Discuss your medical/health condition with your physician and determine what essential needs you will require.
  • Predetermine your evacuation destination and arrange for special care or transportation
  • If you need transportation or require special care, and have no other alternative, register with the SpNS Program of the Emergency Management Division by calling your local fire department.

• Items to Bring to the Shelter:
  • Personal and medical information
  • Daily prescription/ non-prescription medication for at least 3 days
  • Special items such as hearing aids, eyeglasses, oxygen, special dietary food
  • At least 2 changes of clothing, including warm jacket or sweater
  • Blanket, pillow, folding chair, cot
  • Personal hygiene items such as towel, washcloth, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, soap, diapers

Natural Disasters
Hurricanes
Floods
Tornadoes
Wildfires
Bioterrorism
Radiological

For useful preparedness ideas please see the below website links for assisting in making a family plan.

Have A Hurricane Plan

FEMA: Are You Ready?

Centers for Disease Control: Emergency Preparedness and Response

National Hurricane Center

Gadsden County Emergency Management

National Weather Service - Tallahassee, FL

Florida Division of Emergency Management