Emergency Preparedness, Planning & Response

Emergency Preparedness, Planning & Response

Public Health Threats are always present. Whether caused by natural, accidental, or intentional means, these threats can lead to the onset of public health incidents. Being prepared to prevent, respond to, and rapidly recover from public health threats is critical for  protecting and securing our nation’s public health.   

The Emergency Preparedness and Response Division is directed to develop the health department’s capacity and capability to effectively respond to the public health consequences of terrorist threats, infectious disease outbreak, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological emergencies. 

Funding:   St. Clair County is one of forty-five local health departments that receive earmarked funding for emergency preparedness since 2002 - through the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement (PHEP) grant.

Emergency Operations Plans: These plans are constructed to meet the demands of a constant change in the nature and severity of public threats to this county and to be able to coordinate effective and efficient response with local and cross border emergency responders. The health department’s all-hazard Emergency Operations Plans (EOP) are annually reviewed, exercised, and revised as needed to meet stringent requirements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response.

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified six domains of preparedness to serve as the basis for state and local public health preparedness.                      

                    

                                                                                                       

                                                       

At Risk Populations

 

 

 

 

  • MDHHS Environmental Health Division - Staff provides professional consult to individuals or organizations with concerns about the health effects of exposures to toxic substances. Partners with universities and governmental organizations in related research and service activities.
  • CDC Chemical Agent List - CDC's list of over 75 toxic industrial chemicals and WMDs. Includes links to ATSDR & NIOSH fact sheets
  • ATSDR's Toxic Substances Web Portal and Disease Registry's makes it easy for researchers and citizens to find information about toxic chemicals and related health effects. Learn how toxic substances can affect health and how to prevent exposure
  • ChemFinder - is a searchable database of chemical and physical properties of thousands of chemicals. It also includes links to MSDS data, regulatory, and toxicological information.

 

 

 

The St. Clair County Health Department is looking for a variety of individuals to help augment its existing workforce in response to a large scale or public health emergency event that has potential to adversely impact the wellness and health of our communities.

Why are volunteers needed?
Volunteers may be recruited for activities supporting large scale dispensing or mass prophylaxis clinics, neighborhood emergency help centers, public information campaigns, shelter operations, and advocacy or assistance for special populations.

Who can volunteer?
Any licensed or certified professional, student or those with experience and/or employed in the animal or human medical or health care professions.

In addition, volunteers are needed to help support site operations and core activities, for each health or medical professional we may need up to ten support rolls filled.

What types of rolls or positions?
Rolls and positions will be determined depending on qualifications, experience, and comfort levels. Examples include: Answering phone hotlines, provide medical triage, self-help information or education, administer vaccines, distribute prophylactic medication, greeter, interpreter, counseling, data entry, line management, and advocacy for special needs populations.

Occasional mailings and updates are provided to members of the volunteer roster. During an actual event, on-site training with job action guidelines is provided.

Liability and laws pertaining to emergency volunteers:
Emergency Volunteers are covered under the umbrella of public health Code [1978 PA 368]; Emergency Management Act 390 of 1976 [MCL 30.411]; Government Immunity Act [MCL 691.140]; Good Samaritan Act [MSC 691.1501]; Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 [42 USC Chapter 139]. Enrollment into Michigan Volunteer Registry is necessary to assure protection under these Acts and Laws while volunteering for the St. Clair County Health Department.

Volunteer registration:

  1. Please complete the SCCHD Public Health Volunteer Application and mail or fax to:

    St. Clair County Health Department
    Attn: Emergency Preparedness and Response Division
    3415 28th Street
    Port Huron MI 48060
    Fax: (810) 987-0630
     
  2. Also Register online − MI Volunteer Registry.

 

 

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