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Emergency & Bioterrorism Preparedness
The objective of the Emergency/Bioterrorism Preparedness Department is to ensure Public Health preparedness and establish an effective response to bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks, emergencies and other public health threats.
The responsibilities of CVDHD’s Emergency/Bioterrorism Preparedness Department include the following:
Assessment and Planning
- Development of new and assessments of existing plans, procedures, staff, equipment and resources.
- Establish community collaboration with local emergency response agencies to ensure local preparedness efforts are complete.
- Frequently exercise Emergency Response Plans on a local, regional and state level.
Surveillance and Epidemiology
- CVDHD staff investigates reportable diseases
(see Epidemiology Department). - Utilize several surveillance programs to monitor and rapidly detect unusual disease activity within the Cumberland Valley District.
- 911 calls are monitored.
- Emergency Department visits are monitored.
- Diagnoses by network medical providers are reported.
- School absenteeism is surveyed daily.
Communications and Information Technology
- Maintain communications (telephone, fax, and e-mail) with health care providers, hospitals, law enforcement, emergency response personnel and other health departments to ensure rapid dissemination of information.
Volunteer Management
- Inform and recruit community volunteers who would be asked to work Mass Dispensing/Vaccination Clinics in response to a large-scale disease outbreak or bioterrorism attack. We do this through our Medical Reserve Corps.
Risk Communication
- Ensure that health/risk information is readily available to the public during a terrorist event or natural disaster.
- Maintain relationships with various media outlets to ensure rapid dissemination of information.
- Provide training to key health personnel who respond to public health emergencies.
- Coordinate education and training with other health and emergency agencies.
- Provide training to community members who volunteer to work in Mass Dispensing/Vaccination Clinics.
- Organize and participate in emergency drills.
Staff in the Emergency Preparedness/Terrorism Department can be reached by calling 606-598-5564 Ext. 111.
Volunteer Management – https://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/MrcUnits/UnitDetails/304
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