Public Health Emergencies

Disaster / Emergency Preparedness

Emergency preparedness requires attention not just to specific types of hazards but also to steps that increase preparedness for any type of hazard.  Specific hazards that we need to be aware of and understand include: Bioterrorism, Mass Casualties, Chemical Emergencies, Natural Diseases and Severe Weather, Radiation Emergencies, and Natural or Man-made Disease Outbreaks.

Examples of recent Public Health emergencies include: a Boil Water order (Eyota, summer of 2006), fires that reduce air quality and may lead to evacuation (Byron Fire and Ham Lake Forest Fire, 2007), ice storms that knock out power for days (an annual event), major flooding (Rushford, Rochester, Eyota, 2007 and Zumbro Falls, Oronoco, Pine Island, 2010) and outbreaks of disease (H1N! pandemic influenza, 2009).  During these and other disasters and emergencies, your normal routine changes.