The GCDPH will be responsible for fulfilling the three essential public health core functions:

• Assessment
• Policy Development
• Assurance

Each facet of emergency preparedness requires GCDPH action, through allocating resources, establishing policies, procedures, or guidelines, and requiring accountability to fulfill the preparedness goals and objectives.

Assessment of Current Preparedness Levels

• Identify Measurable Objectives
• Conduct a Regular Program Assessment

Policy Development

• Provide a Policy and Procedures Manual
• Placing Limitations on Movement (Isolation and Quarantine)

Benefits of isolation and quarantine include:

• Containing the illness
• Reducing the number of persons requiring prophylaxis
• Limiting impact of the illness on the public
• Giving the GCDPH time to effectively respond to the situation

Three types of Quarantine are:

• Absolute Quarantine – limitation of movement for individuals exposed to a contagious illness for a time period not to exceed the longest incubation period of the illness.
• Modified Quarantine – partial limitation on the movement of exposed individuals or people with which they have had contact.
• Cordon sanitare – limitation of movement into and out of a demarcated area to prevent the spread of illness outside of the area.

(Must insure proper legal authority before placing any limitations on public movement)

Assurance

It is virtually impossible to cover every contingency that may occur in a disaster or emergency situation. Any plan must be able to evolve as new information is learned and new technologies are developed to prevent, detect, or respond to a disaster or emergency. In order to achieve this, the GCDPH should focus on the following:

• Obtain accurate knowledge of the threats to their jurisdiction and of the likely human responses to an emergency.
• Stay well informed of the different risks that exist throughout its jurisdiction.
• Allocate the necessary resources to support the program.

If the public health system knows what problems it may encounter in advance, the GCDPH will be better prepared to mitigate future disasters.