Public Health Preparedness and Response
Public Health Preparedness and Response (PHPR) refers to the coordinated efforts, strategies, and systems designed to protect communities from health threats caused by natural disasters, pandemics, bioterrorism, and other public health emergencies. It encompasses the planning, capacity-building, and rapid response actions taken by government agencies, healthcare systems, and community organizations to prevent, mitigate, and recover from public health crises.
Key Components of PHPR
Developing comprehensive emergency plans, conducting hazard vulnerability assessments, and ensuring readiness through training and exercises. Aligns with the CDC’s Capability 1: Community Preparedness and Capability 2: Community Recovery to enhance resilience.
Monitoring disease outbreaks, utilizing early warning systems, and ensuring transparent communication with the public and stakeholders. Supports Capability 6: Information Sharing and Capability 4: Emergency Public Information and Warning to facilitate situational awareness and coordinated messaging.
Mobilizing resources, activating emergency operations centers (EOCs), and integrating public health into the broader emergency management system. Corresponds with Capability 3: Emergency Operations Coordination to ensure effective leadership and decision-making during crises.
Deploying emergency medical teams, distributing vaccines and medications, and establishing medical surge capacity. Tied to Capability 8: Medical Countermeasure Dispensing and Administration and Capability 10: Medical Surge to enhance healthcare response efforts.
Strengthening partnerships with local, state, federal, private sector, and non-governmental entities to promote equitable response and resource distribution. Supports Capability 1: Community Preparedness and Capability 5: Fatality Management to improve overall emergency response efforts.
Ensuring a well-trained public health workforce through continuous education, scenario-based exercises, and competency development. Supports Capability 7: Mass Care by preparing public health professionals to manage shelters, food distribution, and essential services during emergencies.
By integrating these key components with the CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Capabilities, the Guilford County Division of Public Health can improve its ability to respond effectively to disasters, protect vulnerable populations, and build more resilient communities.
Emergency Preparedness Information
The Guilford Emergency Alert, Notification, and Information System “G.E.A.N.I.” is an automated system to notify you of urgent and emergency information through your cell phone, home phone, and/or email. The system provides time-sensitive, geographically based public safety messages through voice, text, and e-mail, and is available to all residents and businesses within Guilford County.
For additional information and instructions on how to sign up, please visit: G.E.A.N.I.
Emergency Management Mission Statement: Guilford County Emergency Management works to protect the citizens of Guilford County through an Integrated Emergency Management framework encompassing the phases of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Working in partnership with local, state, federal, and private entities, Guilford County Emergency Management seeks to provide a seamless and comprehensive Integrated Emergency Management program for all of the citizens of, and visitors to Guilford County.
For additional information, please visit: GCEM.
Public Health Preparedness and Response (PHP&R) is the branch of the North Carolina Division of Public Health that monitors and strengthens the abilities of our public health and healthcare systems to protect the public health in disaster situations such as disease epidemics, chemical and radiological releases, severe weather, and natural disasters. Our mission is to promote and protect the public’s health before, during, and after all-hazards events through an integrated public health preparedness system that is robust, resilient, and scalable. Since the start of the PHP&R program in 2002, North Carolina has established a multi-faceted public health preparedness and response infrastructure that involves multiple agencies.
For additional information, please visit: NCPHP&R.
Are You Aware and Prepared?
- Sign up for Guilford County Emergency-Alert-Notification-Information (G.E.A.N.I)
- Know the risks and danger signs of an emergency. Stay in touch using the FEMA app and/or NOAA Weather Radio.
- Develop plans for what to do; don't forget to plan for your pets!
- Assemble a disaster supplies kit; don't forget to plan for medicines or other medical needs!
- Learn safety skills.
- Talk to your friends, neighbors, and other people in your network about preparedness. Help them make a plan if they need a hand.
- Put your plan into action.
- Check on and assist your friends, family, or neighbors if you can do so safely.
- Follow the advice and guidance of officials in charge of the event.
- Learn about recovering from a disaster, and repairing damaged property.
- Take steps to prevent or reduce future loss for your home and/or business.