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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.

Education and Training

  • 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

http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/

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