DOH-Okaloosa Protects Local Communities from Emergencies and Disasters Through National "Public Health Ready" Recognition Program

 
Contact: Ryan Mims
HealthyOkaloosaPIO@flhealth.gov
(850) 833-9240 ext. 2162
Cell: (850) 420-2198
                                                                              
Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) has been nationally recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for its ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. DOH-Okaloosa demonstrated these capabilities by meeting the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DOH-Okaloosa joins a cohort of over 450 local health departments across the country that have been distinguished for excellence in preparedness through PPHR, either individually or as part of a region.

“We are proud to have been recognized by Project Public Health Ready for our high level of preparedness,” said Karen A. Chapman, Director of DOH-Okaloosa. “We will continue to work with our community partners to improve our ability to quickly and effectively respond to any public health crisis in Okaloosa County.”
 
PPHR recognition confirms that DOH-Okaloosa has a thorough and coordinated emergency response plan in place and that staff have the training to protect the health of the community during an emergency. Local health departments recognized by PPHR undergo a rigorous evaluation by peer review to assess their ability to meet a set of national standards for public health preparedness. These standards align with federal government requirements and other national best practices.
 
PPHR recognition also requires health departments to collaborate with their state, local, and community partners to develop plans that account for all the constituents in their jurisdictions.
 
“DOH-Okaloosa is fortunate to work with a robust group of partners to ensure that the community is prepared for a public health emergency,” stated Katie McDeavitt, Public Health Preparedness Section Chief of DOH-Okaloosa. “Some of our partners include first responders, county emergency management, area hospitals, healthcare facilities, faith-based organizations, local military public health, and water and utility companies.”
 
DOH-Okaloosa also partners with the Emerald Coast Healthcare Coalition, FloridaOne, Inc. and the Okaloosa-Walton Medical Reserve Corps to ensure community and region-wide support and assistance during a public health emergency response.   
 
“When disaster strikes, it affects local communities, and local health departments are a critical part of any first response to disease outbreaks, emergencies, and acts of terrorism,” said Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, NACCHO Executive Director. “NACCHO commends DOH-Okaloosa for being a model of public health emergency preparedness.”
 
NACCHO, the voice of the 2,800 local health departments across the country, provides resources to help local health department leaders develop public health policies and programs to ensure that communities have access to vital programs and services that people need to keep them protected from disease and disaster. Its mission is to be a leader, partner, catalyst, and voice for local health departments in order to ensure the conditions that promote health and equity, combat disease, and improve the quality and length of all lives.
 
For more information on Project Public Health Ready, including recognized sites, project tools, and resources, visit http://www.naccho.org/PPHR .
 
About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
 
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
 

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