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.
Health Care System Preparedness
Ensures capacity and capability for provision of critical public health and medical services.
Cities Readiness Initiative
Focuses on enhancing preparedness in counties and major metropolitan statistical areas.
Strategic National Stockpile
Part of the federal medical response infrastructure and can supplement medical countermeasures needed during public health emergencies.
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 (PPHR)
One of the greatest challenges faced by county health departments during disasters is balancing emergency responsibility with continuing routine delivery of public health services for Florida citizens.
Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a partnership program comprised of the Florida Department of Health, National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recognizes effective county health department preparedness programs.
The PPHR criteria are nationally-recognized standards for local public health preparedness. NACCHO regularly updates the criteria to align with recent federal initiatives, including the CDC’s public health emergency preparedness capabilities and Public Health Accreditation Board’s standards and measures. Criteria are comprised of three goals:ย
- Goal I: All-hazards Preparedness Planning
- Goal II: Workforce Capacity Development
- Goal III: Demonstration of Readiness through Exercise or Real Event
Map of Public Health Ready-recognized County Health Departments in Florida – Project Public Health Ready status for each of the county health departments in Florida
Several best practices have been identified as a result of the PPHR process. To learn more about these, please visit theย NACCHO Toolbox.
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
- Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Comprehensive Preparedness Guide – Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans
- National Disaster Recovery Framework
- National Preparedness Goal
- National Preparedness Guidelinesย
- The National Preparedness Report
- Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Capabilities
Functional Planning Tools
- Alternate Care Site Operations Guide
- Alternate Care Site Plan Local Development Guide
- Local Strategic National Stockpile Technical Assistance Review Tool
- Patient Movement Support Standard Operating Guideline
- Information Sharing for Multijurisdictional Public Health Emergency Preparedness
- Protecting Children During Emergencies
- Public Health Emergency Response Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Public Health Directors
- Mass Gatherings/Special Events Technical Resources
- Resources to Help Rural Communities Prepare for Disasters and other Hazards
- Sample Local Hurricane Incident Objectives
- State and Local Planners Playbook for Medical Response to a Nuclear Detonation