Public Health Emergency Preparedness

What is Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP)?

With threats ranging from natural disasters to disease outbreaks, public health emergency preparedness coordinates with partners on the local, regional, state, and federal level to ensure the community is ready to respond to and recover from emergencies. We monitor the health of the community, analyze risks and create plans for mitigation, response, and recovery from disaster with health in mind in order to keep Riley County safe and healthy

Emergency Notifications 

Being aware of one's surroundings is a vital part of emergency preparedness; situational awareness at the county level includes the emergency notification system, Everbridge. Everbridge allows residents to opt-in and be alerted about emergencies that may affect your health and safety, including disease information, severe weather alerts, and traffic problems/delays. 

Disease Outbreaks 

One of the most important aspects of public health preparedness is preparing for disease outbreaks and the control of communicable and infectious diseases. It is no longer a question of "if" but "when" disease will strike, and to what extent. The PHEP program aims to plan, train, and educate for any type of disease outbreak on the individual and community level. 

Natural Disasters and Severe Weather 

As a part of an all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness, and along with disease outbreaks and bioterrorism, the health department plays a role in planning for natural disasters and severe weather, like tornadoes, flooding, and winter storms. The health department works along side Riley County Emergency Management and other first response agencies in the community.