Emergency Preparedness

Mission

To protect the people of Marshall County from public health emergencies and threats.

Press Release -  March 2023

Planning

It is essential for you and your family to be prepared in the case of an emergency. Knowing what disasters could affect your area, how to receive emergency alerts, and where to go if you and your family need to evacuate. Assembling a disaster kit ahead of time is another piece to disaster preparation.

Step 1: Put together a plan by discussing these 4 questions with your family, friends, or household to start your emergency plan.

1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
2. What is my shelter plan?
3. What is my evacuation route?
4. What is my family/household communication plan?

Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household.

As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets, or specific needs like the operation of durable medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Keep in mind some of these factors when developing your plan:

• Different ages of members within your household
• Responsibilities for assisting others
• Locations frequented
• Dietary needs
• Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
• Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
• Languages spoken
• Cultural and religious considerations
• Pets or service animals
• Households with school-aged children

Step 3: Fill out a Family Emergency Plan

Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use them as a guide to creating your own.

• Emergency Plan for Parents (PDF)

Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household

Below is are some links to possible emergencies (non-exhaustive) in Marshall County and how you can prepare for them.

• Bioterrorism
• Earthquakes
• Extreme Heat
• Floods
• Household Chemical Emergencies
• Pandemic
• Power Outages
• Severe Weather
• Snowstorms & Extreme Cold
• Thunderstorms & Lightning
• Tornados

For more information on emergency preparation, visit www.ready.gov.

Adopted from ready.gov

Medical Countermeasures

Mass prophylaxis will be administered in the case of a rare event of an infectious disease emergency. Medical countermeasures, antibiotics, or vaccines, will be administered at pre-established Points of Dispensing (PODs). PODs are open to the public free of charge and are designed to provide prophylaxis very quickly in order to provide services to the entire county.

The Dispense Assist website may be utilized to fill out the necessary forms for each individual receiving prophylaxis prior to visiting the POD. In doing so, it will greatly reduce the amount of time spent at the POD, increasing the flow and number of people serviced per hour.

Visit the CDC or FDAs website for further information on Medical Countermeasures or call the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at 574-935-8601.