About:
The Emergency Preparedness division is responsible for the development and maintenance of emergency plans that govern the response to any incident that impacts the functions designated in the National Response Framework for Public Health. These plans include Community Disease Containment, Pandemic Influenza and Mass Prophylaxis. Additionally, the division works with Weld County Emergency Management and the medical community to develop plans and protocols for augmenting the capacity of the hospital in the event it becomes overwhelmed with patients (Medical Surge Capacity).
All emergency plans must be tested to ensure they are functional and to provide training for community responders. The division is responsible for developing these exercises and participating in exercises developed by other community partners. These activities enhance the emergency preparedness of the entire Weld County community.
National Response Framework:
The National Response Framework (NRF) presents the guiding principles that enable all response partners to prepare for and provide for a unified national response to disasters and emergencies. It establishes a comprehensive, national all-hazards approach to domestic incident response. The National Response Plan was replaced by the the National Response Framework effective March 22, 2008.
The National Response Framework defines the principles, roles and structures that organize how we respond as a nation. The National Response Framework:
- describes how communities, tribes, states, the federal government, private-sector and non-governmental partners work together to coordinate national response
- describes specific authorities and best practices for managing incidents
- builds upon the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which provides a consistent template for managing incidents
Information on the National Response Framework including documents, annexes, references and briefings/trainings can be accessed from the NRF Resource Center.
Emergency Distribution of Antibiotics and Vaccines:
In the event that the entire population of Weld County would need to receive antibiotics or vaccination in order to protect them from a terrorist incident, or naturally occurring (for example: pandemic influenza) disease outbreak, a quick and efficient system for distribution of life saving pharmaceuticals is vital. The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) was developed by the federal government for this purpose. The division has a plan for distribution of the SNS to all residents of Weld County within 2 days.
The system for this rapid distribution of the pharmaceuticals involves Points of Dispersing (POD) operations. Several 'PODs' have been identified throughout Weld County that can be utilized to serve the public for this purpose.
Medical Surge Capacity:
Medical Surge is defined as the rapid expansion of the capacity of the existing healthcare system in response to an event that results in increased need of personnel (clinical and non-clinical), support functions (laboratories and radiological), physical space (beds, alternate care facilities) and logistical support (clinical and non-clinical equipment and supplies).
