The Emergency Preparedness unit is responsible for the Delaware Public Health District’s emergency preparedness activities. This includes developing and updating emergency response plans, maintaining supplies and equipment used during a response, and providing training on the emergency response plan. The unit also coordinates with other local and state agencies to plan and respond to emergencies.

What does this have to do with me?
All the planning done by the Emergency Preparedness unit ensures that you and your family have the resources you need to stay safe before, during, and after emergencies. But to enhance your personal safety amidst a disaster, it’s beneficial to do some preparedness yourself. We’ve attached plenty of resources on this page that you can utilize to prepare for different emergent scenarios by developing personalized emergency response plans. And don’t discount the ‘less glamorous’ disasters! Heat, believe it or not, is the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the United States.

Keeping it real
Disasters and emergencies can be terrifying, devastating, and panic-inducing. There are plenty of emergencies linked on this page, ranging from weather-related disasters to infectious diseases to radiation and chemical threats. As you read through the resources we’ve attached regarding these emergencies, it can seem overwhelming and scary. The important thing to keep in mind is that while these scenarios are all possible, they are NOT definite. We may never encounter a radiological threat in our lifetime! But because a chance is always there, it’s better to educate yourself and plan ahead.

So what can I do? 

• Browse the resources we’ve attached to learn more about different emergent situations
• With input from your family and those you live with, create disaster plans for the scenarios you feel to be most relevant (i.e. it’s unlikely Ohio will suffer from major hurricane damage in the coming years, but tornados are a different story)
• Make disaster kits! We’ve attached links to sites that list ideas for creating these kits ­- having supplies is just as important as having a plan

Want more?

• Check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trainings if you want some extra knowledge
• Become a Medical Reserve Corps volunteer! Head over to our MRC page.

The unit also coordinates with local and state agencies in the planning and response to emergencies and with the Delaware County Medical Reserve Corps. 

The DC-MRC is comprised of licensed health and medical professionals, including nurses, nurse practitioners, veterinarians, pharmacists, doctors, chiropractors, physician assistants, dentists, mental health professionals, and others. Along with this are non-medical volunteers who will assist and support county efforts. The DC-MRC program collaborates with emergency management, emergency medical services, hospital-based services, medical providers and is coordinated through the Delaware Public Health District. The MRC helps fill gaps during emergencies with volunteers who’ve been organized, trained, assigned and pre-credentialed to assist where their expertise is best applied.

The Delaware Public Health District would like to have public input on our emergency plans. Please contact the Preparedness Team to review and provide feedback on any emergency plans.