County Ready
The Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program at the Pima County Health Department regularly engages in collaborative, community-focused emergency health planning to address biological, chemical, radiological, or natural disaster events that result in public health threats or emergencies. The Health Department is working to:
- develop effective plans and resources during emergencies to protect the community.
- coordinate with community, county, state, tribal, and federal partners to develop a plan to provide mass prophylaxis and treatment to all people in the county.
- strengthen our capacity to rapidly identify diseases and initiate prevention and control activities.
- ensure effective, secure communication infrastructure for rapid communication among public health and its partners.
- effectively communicate health/risk information to the public and key partners.
- better prepare the community for an emergency.
Even a small amount of preparation before an emergency can make a huge difference and can save lives. That is why the PCHD Office of Public Health Preparedness is doing its part. We are creating plans, practicing them, and conducting training to better protect the residents of Pima County.
Family Ready
Preparedness is the key to saving lives in an emergency. Even the smallest amount of preparation can make a huge difference.
Being prepared has three steps: Be Informed, Make a Plan, and Ready a Disaster Supply Kit.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO HELP YOUR FAMILY BE BETTER PREPARED:
- Be sure your house address clearly visible from the street.
- Know how and when to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.
- Post emergency numbers in a clear place and make sure everyone know where they are.
- List emergency contacts under "ICE" (in case of emergency) on your cell phone.
- Be sure all family members know the location of the first aid kit.
- Be sure working flashlights are located on every level of the house.
- Be sure smoke detectors are installed throughout the house and batteries are changed two times a year.
- Keep health insurance and family's medical needs information readily available.
- Identify at least two escape routes and an outside meeting place.
- Practice the plan!
Make a Plan
There are well-developed and well-rehearsed emergency response plans at all levels of government. At the core of this effort is citizen preparedness. You and your family can plan, prepare, practice, and protect each other.
If a disaster strikes, relief workers may not be able to reach everyone immediately. You might be asked to evacuate your home or may need to "shelter-in-place" or quarantine. It is important that you and your family know what to do during different types of emergencies. By planning and practicing, you and your family will be more prepared if an emergency occurs.
Once you are informed about the potential emergencies in Pima County, your next step is to make a plan to deal with each emergency. Remember that it is not necessary to make one plan for each kind of emergency. One or two well thought out plans can generally be effective in any situation.
Remember communications. During a crisis, you will want to know where your loved ones are, and if they are safe. Be sure to include several ways to contact the people who are important to you. An out of town family contact may be helpful if the utilities in your area are damaged.
Your household may have specific planning considerations such as:
- A chronic medical condition that requires prescriptions? Be Proactive! Take a moment now and talk with your medical provider about having an extra supply stored at home.
- A medical condition that requires medical equipment that needs electricity to operate?
- Have you planned to provide for any medical conditions that requires treatment appointments outside of the home? Take a moment now and talk with your medical equipment supplier to learn of the back up power sources you may require such as batteries, generator, etc.
- What about in-home care? Do you or a household member or neighbor require home health care service? Take a moment now and talk with your medical provider about how these needs would be met if an emergency prevented your access to these necessary services.
Essential medical items ALL households want to consider having:
- Items for seniors, disabled persons, children, or anyone with serious allergies including special foods
- Denture items
- Extra eyeglasses
- Hearing aid batteries
- Several day supply of prescription and non-prescription medications, including insulin, that are used regularly
- Inhalers and other essential equipment and back up power supply if these items require electricity or water
Making a Disaster Supply Kit
The Health Department recommends you have an Emergency Supply Kit: An emergency may interfere with normal supplies of food, water, heat, and other necessities. Keep a stock of emergency supplies on hand that will last for at least 3 days.
Update your kit regularly, including removing expired items.
The American Red Cross has a thorough list of items for an Emergency Supply Kit.
When an emergency strikes, you may not have time to gather all the necessary supplies. Making an emergency kit ahead of time can make all the difference. An emergency supply kit should include items to help you survive an emergency for several days. Things you take for granted every day may become extremely valuable to you during a crisis.
Family Resources
Business Ready
Widespread flu or infectious disease outbreak, monsoon flooding, power outages, and fire are all types of major events that may affect your daily routine.
Events such as these could impact your workplace and your personal business operations. Fluctuations in personnel, inventory, and potential power disruption are just some of the possible scenarios you will need to consider.
But how can businesses plan for widespread Flu? Below are online tools, checklists, and guides that will help you become more knowledgeable about business preparedness.
Business Resources
Taking a few moments to read this material, NOW, may make a big difference in how you or your employer manage the unexpected if it occurs in Pima County.
School Ready
Widespread flu or infectious disease outbreak, monsoon flooding, power outages, and fire are common types of major events that may affect your daily routine.
Did you know your neighborhood school may be a designated emergency shelter? It may also serve as a designated community disaster shelter or point of dispensing (POD) emergency medicine or vaccines.
Schools are the heart of a neighborhood and emergency events may impact whether or not our children attend school. Do you have a plan for how to take care of your children, if their school or daycare operation is affected?
A few moments now, a few extra items you put aside at home and special discussions you have now with your family, neighbors, co-workers, and local community may make a big difference if the unexpected occurs in Pima County.
Parent resources
School and care giver resources