Public Health Preparedness Program
The Public Health Preparedness Program is responsible for the planning and program development for the Department of Health to protect the public health of Florida’s citizens and visitors from the effects of manmade and naturally-occurring events. The goal of the program is to train and exercise staff and volunteers in areas of preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation to these disasters. The PHP program collaborates with local Emergency Management staff and the Regional DOH staff to meet planning, training, and exercise needs of health care workers in both the public and private sectors.
The Florida Department of Health in Jackson County (DOH-Jackson) PHP program is primarily responsible for:
- Annual review and update of DOH-Jackson’s emergency plans and annexes to include:
- Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
- Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
- Special Needs Shelters (SpNS)
The Department of Health provides limited support at SpNS open before, during, and after a hurricane. Jackson County has 1 Special Needs Shelter in the Marianna High School at 3546 Caverns Road, Marianna, FL 32446.
Pre-registration is available through the Jackson County Emergency Management Center. - Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)
- Pandemic Influenza
- Coordinating exercises and drills to test emergency plans after training
- Coordinating with Environmental Health and Disease Control staff on disease surveillance as well as supporting coordination of strike team
- Coordinating with community partners to include: Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, Fire Rescue, Hospitals, and School Board, Public Works, Region 1 Emerald Coast Healthcare Coalition.
- Project Public Health Ready accreditation
Special Needs Registry
Special needs shelters are for those with disabilities or who require medical care that exceeds basic first aid. Preregistration is important so emergency responders can ensure space is reserved for those with the greatest need.
What should you do in a flood?
The Florida Department of Health Jackson County would like to provide you with some dos and don’ts regarding flood waters. This information is provided by our Environmental Health Department.