Jefferson County Public Health is involved in community-wide planning around potential emergency threats such as natural disasters, pandemic influenza, or bioterrorism. The staff works closely with the hospital and emergency planners to develop strategies for dealing with the possible impacts of such events. Disaster-related public health impacts could include - but are not limited to - contaminated water, food supplies or airborne exposure to infectious diseases.

Community Partners

Emergency planning with key community partners is essential. These partners include:

• Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
• Fire Departments
• Hospitals
• Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management (DEM)
• Local Law Enforcement
• Volunteer Organizations Such as the American Red Cross

Our emergency preparedness and response plan is strengthened through training and exercises on a regular basis.

Resources

The Communicable Disease staff also work with other agencies to promote emergency preparedness activities for individuals and families. The Washington State Department of Health provides helpful handouts and video streaming messages to encourage citizens to take measures to protect their health. You can get additional information by visiting the Washington State Department of Health's Emergency Preparedness page.

For further information, contact:

• American Red Cross
  Telephone: 360-377-3761
• Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management
  Telephone: 360-385-9368
• North Olympic Peninsula's Local 20/20
• Ready.gov: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Washington Responds: Washington State Emergency Registry of Volunteers