Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program

Mission

Shelby County Health Department’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program’s mission is to prepare, protect and prevent through collaborative partnerships to effectively mitigate, plan, respond and recover from all public health emergencies.

Vision

Our vision is to recognize potential health risks and the implications of an emergency on the community and work to reduce the health effects of disasters when they occur.


IMG_3297

The Shelby County Health Department’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program (PHEPP) identifies, assesses and responds to public health threats to Shelby County and neighboring counties in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi.

PHEPP recognizes the potential health risks and impacts of an emergency on each community and works to reduce the health effects of disasters when they occur. Through threat assessments, preparedness planning, training, drills and exercises, PHEPP is committed to improving the health and medical aspect of the community.


Program Components

  • Preparedness planning and readiness
  • Epidemiology surveillance and investigation
  • Rapid notification and alert
  • Mass Prophylaxis and vaccination
  • Drills, exercises and trainings
  • Community outreach
  • Creating partnerships with communities and organizations
  • Risk communication and health information dissemination
  • Communication and information technology
  • Medical Reserve Corps and volunteers

PHEP Program works to advance six main areas of preparedness so state and local public health systems are better prepared for emergencies that impact the public’s health.

1. Community Resilience: Preparing for and recovering from emergencies
2. Incident management: Coordinating an effective response
3. Information Management: Making sure people have information to take action
4. Countermeasures and Mitigation: Getting medicines and supplies where they are needed
5. Surge Management: Expanding medical services to handle large events
6.Biosurveillance: Investigating and identifying health threats