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
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, a partnership program comprised of the Florida Department of Health, National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recognizes effective county health department preparedness programs.
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.
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.
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
- Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Comprehensive Preparedness Guide
Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans - National Disaster Recovery Framework
- National Preparedness Goal
- National Preparedness Guidelines
- 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
- 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