Emergency Preparedness

In 2003/04, EHHD completed its state-mandated Emergency Response Plan for its jurisdiction. Through the development of this plan EHHD engaged multiple partners district-wide to ensure that in the event of a large-scale emergency, resources would be coordinated effectively.

The development, updating, and training on the use of public health emergency preparation plans are opportunities to strengthen the public health infrastructure in your community and beyond. The Public Health Emergency Preparedness Plan for Eastern Highlands Health District is a helpful document for all residents to be familiar with in the event of a public emergency. Follow this link to read the Eastern Highlands Health District Public Health Emergency Preparedness Plan.

Preparedness Volunteer Opportunities:

Planning in advance is the key to minimizing damage from public health disasters, from hurricanes to bioterrorism. It is vitally important to educate residents and recruit volunteers while officials continue to work on emergency operations plans and emergency preparedness policies.

Eastern Highlands Health District has identified three tiers of volunteer involvement:

1. One group of volunteers would be pre-identified and called upon only in an emergency. (This group may include some people with very specialized skills.)
2. A second level of volunteers would be identified and asked to participate occasionally in training and drills.
3. The third group would be designated as key personnel and would be expected to attend preparedness meeting three or four times a year.

Tasks to be assigned in response to an emergency can include:

• Greeters
• Clerical work
• Handing out forms
• Child care
• Directing traffic
• Food preparation
• Medical screening
• Dispensing of medications for trained professionals

If you are interested in helping with this effort, please fill out the Volunteer Sign-Up Form and return it to:

For additional information regarding the EHHD Emergency Preparedness Plan, contact John H. Degnan 860-429-3378 or John.Degnan@ehhd.org.