Emergency Preparedness & Response
Across the United States, public health agencies are being included in all levels of emergency preparedness planning, training, exercises, and response. Some of their functions include:
- Development of public health emergency response plans to integrate and coordinate with other responder organizations.
- Dispensing stockpiles of medications in public clinics during emergencies.
- Part of Health Alert Network: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's nationwide high-speed communication network with hospitals, physicians, schools, and emergency response agencies.
- Responding to disasters and assisting communities in recovery.