Author: Kailee Curtis

Local Health Department

Emergency Preparedness

Public health emergencies can include epidemics and pandemics; biological, chemical, and radiological terrorism; and natural disasters. Being prepared to respond promptly, effectively, and efficiently to these public health emergencies is a key function of local health departments. Because many agencies would be involved in responding to such emergencies, building good partnerships with other community service providers is vital to emergency preparedness. Additionally, educating the public on self-preparedness and how to respond to a public health emergency is essential to local public health emergency preparedness.

Key Positions
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Public Information Officer

In Michigan, all local health departments implement a standard work plan formulated by MDHHS and the CDC ensuring consistent response across the state.

Meets Public Health Standards:

ü	Michigan Public Health Code
ü	Michigan Local Public Health / Accreditation
ü	Public Health Accreditation Board

Services:
All local health departments are required to have a full-time emergency preparedness coordinator (EPC). The EPC is responsible for ensuring the health department is prepared to respond to public health emergency, carrying out planning exercises, building health department partnerships with other emergency response entities, and providing community education related to emergency preparedness. Emergency preparedness activities can be supported by local, state, and federal funding.
Goals:
The goals for emergency preparedness include:
Preparing local health departments to respond to emergencies, through work plans, exercises, and written plans and plan reviews
Educating the community on how to prepare for and react to emergencies
Developing and strengthening relationships with other emergency response partners, including state departments and local police and fire

There are eight healthcare coalitions in Michigan that work with local partners within each region to prepare hospitals, emergency medical services, and supporting healthcare organizations to deliver coordinated and effective care to victims of terrorism and other public health/healthcare emergencies. Each region maintains one full-time regional coordinator and one part-time medical director.

victims of terrorism and other public health/healthcare emergencies. Each region maintains one full-time regional coordinator and one part-

time medical director.

Impact:
Recently, local health departments’ emergency preparedness divisions have been involved in the response to several large-scale public health emergencies, including two hepatitis A outbreaks (one linked to frozen strawberries and one originating in southeast Michigan), the Flint water crisis, Ebola response planning, and large-scale flooding.

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