Emergency Preparedness

Putnam County Health Department (PCHD) has responded to numerous emergency situations and dealt with its share of emergency situations that required immediate response. The Putnam County Health District (PCHD) has an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) that supports PCHD’s mission to protect, promote and improve the health, safety, and quality of life of the Putnam County community. The Putnam County Health District (PCHD) Emergency Response Plan (ERP) establishes the basis for coordination of PCHD resources and response to provide public health and medical services during an emergency or disaster. The Emergency Response Plan defines responsibilities of the health department and PCHD staff when responding to any emergency.

In addition to responding to real world events related to public health, the PCHD participates in exercises to test their ability to minimize the impact of emergencies. Following these events, our response is evaluated and changes are made so that we can better respond to upcoming events.

Picture of an Emergency Kit with a person reaching into it

Other Preparedness Efforts

Putnam County Healthcare Coalition

PCHD collaborates with community healthcare agencies on emergency activities that strengthen Putnam County response. This collaboration is formalized through the Putnam County Healthcare Coalition, led by PCHD. The Putnam County Healthcare Preparedness Coalition is comprised of county healthcare agencies, response partners, and support agencies that collaborate on emergency response planning, trainings, and exercises to better support the health and safety of the Putnam County Community in Emergency Response. Members of the coalition include, but not limited to, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, Board of Developmental Disabilities, Council on Aging, and law enforcement, to name a few.

Access & Functional Needs Populations

Putnam County works to ensure whole community planning, ensuring appropriate attention is given to populations with access and functional needs. Access and functional needs populations, include individuals who need assistance due to any condition (temporary or permanent) that limits their ability to act. To have access and functional needs does not require that the individual have any kind of diagnosis or specific evaluation. Individuals having access and functional needs may include, but are not limited to, individuals with disabilities, seniors, children, and populations having limited English proficiency, limited access to transportation, and/or limited access to financial resources to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the emergency. Putnam County Health Department works closely with agencies that directly support those with access and functional needs, including but not limited to, Putnam County HomeCare and Hospice, Putnam County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Putnam County Council on Aging.

Putnam County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

Putnam County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) serves as a volunteer resource to assist the community with public health and medical needs during disaster response activities and non-emergency. The Mission of the Putnam County Medical Reserve Corps is: “To support the health department’s role of protecting and promoting the health of the citizens of Putnam County.”

The Putnam County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Unit #500, was formed in 2006, creating a volunteer resource to assist in county emergencies. As of Summer 2022, Putnam County MRC has 96 registered volunteers.

During the 2021 COVID response, Putnam County MRC volunteers gave over 3,500 hours to the Putnam County community. Putnam County MRC volunteers have supported in disease investigation phone calls, COVID vaccine call line scheduling, vaccine clinics, mass casualty response preparedness, elder support, and the first aid station at the Putnam County Fair. Through the Putnam County Healthcare Coalition, partner agencies have benefited through volunteer collaboration. These ongoing collaborations further strengthen Putnam County’s response capability.

Personnal Preparedness

The Putnam County Health Department encourages all to be personally prepared for emergencies. Click on the following links for helpful ways you and your family can plan, prepare and stay informed in regard to emergencies.

Ready.Gov

Disaster Checklist

Family Preparedness Plan

Check out this template to help you be prepared for an emergency.

Preparedness Plan

We welcome comments and suggestions – on how to improve our plan to meet the needs of the community. We are also available to provide presentations to your group or organization on Emergency Preparedness, Pandemic Flu or other emergency preparedness-related topics. Please contact Angela Recker for more information.