Community preparedness relies on the ability to develop informed, empowered, and resilient health care systems and residents. With adequate information, resources, and tools, communities are better prepared to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond, rebound, recover, and adapt to threats and all-hazards.

Hospital Building

Health Care System Preparedness

Ensures capacity and capability for provision of critical public health and medical services.

View of Miami from Overhead

Cities Readiness Initiative

Focuses on enhancing preparedness in counties and major metropolitan statistical areas.

Warehouse of crates and pallets as part of the Strategic National Stockpile

Strategic National Stockpile

Part of the federal medical response infrastructure and can supplement medical countermeasures needed during public health emergencies.

Emergency responders using communication systems

Logistical Systems & Resources

Logistics is the coordination of an operation or event involving people, facilities or supplies. To manage the flow, the Florida Department of Health uses a variety of systems.

Project Public Health Ready

One of the greatest challenges faced by county health departments during disasters is balancing emergency responsibility with continuing routine delivery of public health services in Florida.

The Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) criteria are nationally-recognized standards for local public health preparedness. National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) regularly updates the criteria to align with recent federal initiatives, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) public health emergency preparedness capabilities and Public Health Accreditation Board’s standards and measures.

The criteria are comprised of six goals: engage the whole community, plan for all-hazards preparedness, maintain plans and procedures for public health threats, maintain plans and procedures for recovery, develop workforce capacity, and conduct quality improvement.

Logo for Project Public Health Ready (PPHR). A circular design with four quadrants: people with a laptop, a storm cloud with lightning, a vaccine vial and syringe, and a clipboard with checkmarks. 'PPHR' is in the center, and 'PROJECT PUBLIC HEALTH READY' is below.
Project Public Health Ready, a partnership program comprised of the Florida Department of Health, National Association of County and City Health Officials, and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recognizes effective county health department preparedness programs.

Criteria are comprised of six goals

Goal 1
Engage Whole Community

Goal 2
Plan for All-Hazards Preparedness

Goal 3
Maintain Plans and Procedures for Public Health Threats

Goal 4
Maintain Plans and Procedures for Recovery

Goal 5
Develop Workforce Capacity

Goal 6
Conduct Quality Improvement

Map of Florida’s Public Health Ready-Recognized County Health Departments
Project Public Health Ready status for each of the county health departments in Florida.

NACCHO Toolbox
Provides best practices identified as a result of the Project Public Health Ready process.

Planning Tools and Resources

The following planning resources are available to assist planners with the development of public health and health care response plans.

State Planning Resources

Federal Planning Resources

Functional Planning Tools