Emergency Preparedness and Response

Public Health Preparedness

The Public Health Preparedness program coordinates planning and program development for the Florida Department of Health in Marion County and other agencies. The goal is to protect the health of Florida’s residents and visitors from the effects of manmade and naturally-occurring disasters. The program strives to improve preparedness for and response to bioterrorism, outbreaks of infectious disease, and other public health threats. The program works in several key areas.

Emergency Planning

The Public Health Preparedness program manages emergency planning at the Florida Department of Health in Marion County. We work to ensure Marion County is prepared for natural and man-made disasters that may affect the health of the community.

Strategic National Stockpile

The Strategic National Stockpile is a resource to supplement requirements for medicine and medical supplies at the location of a disaster or terrorist event. The stockpile increases the preparedness capability of local agencies to respond to an event. The department trains and exercises for the use of SNS materials with county emergency response agencies to ensure efficiency and cohesiveness among partners.

For more information on the stockpile, visit the Strategic National Stockpile page.

Pandemic Influenza

The Department coordinates the planning and educational efforts for the response to pandemic influenza for all of Marion County.

For more information on pandemic influenza, including helpful planning tools for individuals, business, and health care facilities, visit www.flu.gov.

Employers can find out more about planning for pandemics from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration publication, Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic

Additional Emergency Planning Resources

Florida Division of Emergency Management

Florida Department of Health Emergency Preparedness & Response

Hurricane Information

Bioterrorism Readiness