Public Health Preparedness

Public Health Emergency Preparedness activities are designed to facilitate the Health Department's response to a variety of public health threats. Preparedness planning encompasses a wide range of threats, including a pandemic influenza outbreak, a natural disaster (tornado/earthquake), an industrial accident, or a possible terrorist incident.

The Howard County Health Department uses a federal grant to provide training for personnel, build relationships with other public safety agencies, provide community education, and write plans to respond to public health threats in our community.

One of the key elements of public health preparedness is education. If you have a group of people that could benefit from learning more about a likely public health threat, please contact the Health Department to discuss scheduling a presentation.

Volunteers are a key component of Preparedness activities. During a public health emergency, the Health Department will set up Point of Dispensing (POD) clinics to dispense medical treatments to counter the danger to public health (prophylaxis). Medical volunteers are necessary to help dispense vaccine/prophylaxis and access patients. Non-medical volunteers are necessary to help set up and tear down the POD, update medical records, manage supplies, and for many other sundry jobs. Volunteers are expected to participate in two call-down drills a year where the Preparedness Director will call them and check contact information and availability. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in full-scale drills when they are scheduled for training. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer Form below and mail it to the Health Department, attention to the PHEC.