Current Issues:

• West Nile Virus
• Pandemic Flu
• Get Pandemic Ready
• Pandemic and Avian Information Resources

• Introduction
• Hospital Preparedness Program
• Medical Reserve Corps
• PHP Objectives
• PHP Team
• PHP Partners
• PHP Fact Sheets
• PHP Related Links
• Special: Health Preparedness Videos
                 From South Central Health Partnership

Introduction

The Public Health Preparedness section of Panhandle Health District was created in 2002 to enhance the district's ability to respond to public health emergencies ranging from a naturally occurring public health emergency to an attack of bioterrorism. Funded through a grant from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Public Health Preparedness section works in partnership with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, the state's six other public health districts, health care providers and emergency service responders to formulate a cohesive statewide plan to prepare for and respond to bioterrorism attacks and other public health emergencies. The federal grant focuses on six areas in which PHD and the state will increase their ability to respond to public health emergencies: public health planning, epidemiology, laboratory testing, professional training and development, risk communications and information dissemination, and improvement of communications technology, including expansion of the current Health Alert Network.

The day-to-day activities of public health districts are often invisible to the populace, but the events of Sept. 11 focused increased attention on the issue of public health. By enhancing the district's ability to prepare and respond to catastrophic events such as a bioterrorist attack, PHD also increases its ability to protect the public on a daily basis by effectively responding to natural disease outbreaks or other natural threats.

Hospital Preparedness
Program

The Hospital Preparedness Program, awarded through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration, is intended to strengthen the ability of hospitals and other healthcare facilities to respond to bioterror attacks, infectious diseases, and natural disasters that may cause mass casualties. Approximately 70 individuals from healthcare entry points throughout the district develop work plans, budgets and timelines for distribution of funding that provides vital emergency equipment, supplies, training, education and reference material to hospitals in all five counties.

Medical Reserve Corps

The Medical Reserve Corps is a region-wide volunteer organization comprised of more than 1,200 medical professionals and others who will support community emergency responders in the event of a public health crisis. PHD provides training and exercising opportunities for volunteers to ensure they will be ready to respond in an emergency situation. More information at: Medical Reserve Corps.