A public health emergency is any threat to public health and safety, like an infectious disease epidemic, earthquake, flood, or any event that has the potential for significant health impact to the community, such as
bio terrorism event. An influenza pandemic (worldwide) would also be considered a public health emergency.
Services include:
- Conduct disease surveillance to identify natural and man-made outbreaks
- Development of the Public Health Emergency Response Plan
- Development of Pandemic Influenza Emergency Response Plan
- Assess public health emergency training needs
- Promote public emergency and disaster education
PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS
As seen is recent disasters in our country, the response from governmental agencies may take several days. It is everyone’s responsibility to plan for emergencies for themselves and their families. Whether it be widespread influenza, ice storms, floods or other disasters, individuals and families must be prepared to take care of themselves, It is impossible for local, state and federal agencies to address each individuals unique needs if the individual failed to prepare. If you or your child cannot leave your place of work or cannot return home or are told to evacuate, would you be
ready?
There are many agencies that have information on how to prepare yourself, your family, and your business for emergencies.
Included in these is the Missouri Department of Health with the “Ready in 3” Program. The program includes three steps:
1. Create a plan for you, your family and your business
• Plan for 2 situations – staying home or leaving
• Prepare a shelter at home
• Know where to go if you have to leave
2. Prepare a kit for home, car and work
• Include basic food supplies, water, can opener
• Include items such as flashlight, batteries, medicines, radio, first aid, supplies
• Keep a small, portable supply kit in your car with items such as water, blanket or sleeping bag, first aid supplies, food, etc.
3. Listen for information about what to do and where to go
during an actual emergency
For more information on Ready in 3, click
here.
MCHC Staff are available to do presentations on preparedness for your business or community organization. Please contact us at 573-378-5438.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
Show Me Response is Missouri’s Emergency System for Advanced Registration for Volunteer Health Professionals, which is a federal directive through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support more efficient intrastate, state-to-state, and state-to-federal health care volunteer response.
Show-Me Response
provides readily available, verifiable, up-to-date information regarding a volunteer’s identity, professional license verification status, and employment information, as well as tools to notify and manage the activation of volunteers.