Polk County Public Health Emergency Preparedness is responsible for coordinating, planning, and communicating with the community to understand potential threats and effective responses to public health emergencies. These threats, whether natural or man-made, have driven the need for local public health departments to prepare responses to a wide variety of events. Many disasters can pose significant physical, psychological, and environmental health risks.
In a public health emergency, Polk County Public Health may organize and conduct the mass dispensing of medicines to the community, disease prevention and control, share information, and provide resources. When called upon, Polk County Public Health plays a support role in responding to other emergency/critical events, such as sheltering or assistance centers, in the community. The capacity to respond effectively is dependent on strong coordination and communication with our partners and the resiliency of our community.
In an effort to build our capacity to respond we work to sustain collaborative relationships with both state and local partners. We collaborate with Emergency Management, NW Health Services Coalition, hospitals, healthcare, behavioral health, alternative living and long-term care facilities, emergency medical services, law enforcement, fire services, public works, government administrations, elected officials, volunteer organizations, and the private sector.
Polk County Public Health trains staff to respond to public health emergencies, conducts exercises and drills, and promotes emergency preparedness in the community.