Public Health Preparedness & Response

Information about Ebola
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

The purpose of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Program is to continually build and improve the capability of individuals, communities and agencies to respond to any emergency impacting the health of citizens through diligent preparation, effective response during disasters, assistance in recovery, and mitigation of threats and hazards.

The program involves state, regional, and local emergency response partners working with the public to enhance the overall ability of communities in the South Region (Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, Las Animas, and Pueblo counties) to prepare for and respond to all hazards that they might face, particularly those hazards that potentially impact the public’s health.

The Emergency Preparedness and Response program is dedicated to providing helpful and informative resources in the areas of disease, natural disaster, terrorism and other emergency threats.


NOW IS THE TIME!

An emergency can occur at any time, to anyone, striking at various level of severity. The most effective way to prepare for “unknown emergencies” is to develop and implement emergency preparedness techniques and skills at home and within your community. Then, PRACTICE those techniques and skills with your friends and family members. There is never too much preparedness when it means saving a LIFE! You can cope with disaster by preparing in advance and by working with your family as a team. Preparation should include: getting informed (including a checklist), making a plan, establishing a meeting location and maintaining your plan and kit.

Get Informed: Contact your local health department, local emergency management office or local American Red Cross to gather the information you will need about disasters that can occur where you live and for information on how to create a plan for protecting yourself and your family during an emergency. Make sure you have a battery-operated or crank radio to stay informed during emergency situations.

Make a Plan: Meet with your family members. Review the information you gathered about community hazards and plans. Explain the dangers to children and work with them as a team to prepare your family. Be sure to include caregivers in your meeting and planning efforts. Discuss plans for how the family will meet after a disaster and be sure to choose a main location near your home and a back-up location in case the area near your home is damaged or inaccessible.

Watch our movie - The Plan

Assemble a Kit: A disaster supply kit is a collection of basic items an individual or family would need to stay safe and self-sufficient during and after a disaster, or until additional help can arrive. Disaster supply kit items should be stored in a portable container(s), such as a backpack or other easy to carry container. Review the contents of your kit at least twice per year. An easy to remember is to check your supplies when you reset your clocks in the spring and fall; SET YOUR CLOCKS, CHECK YOUR STOCKS.

Maintain Your Plan and Kit: Review your plan every six months and quiz your family about what to do. Also, check your kit to ensure supplies are in good condition.

PRACTICE: Conduct fire drills and emergency evacuation drills on a regular basis with your family. Make sure the adults in your family know how and when to turn off utilities (electricity, gas and water). Make sure everyone knows where emergency contact information is kept and can access it in an emergency.

Preparedness information is available at the following websites:

www.readycolorado.com
www.cdc.gov
www.fema.gov
www.redcross.org