Preparedness is a cross-program responsibility within the department of public health; staff in all of our programs create plans and are trained to respond to protect the community in the event of a bio-terrorist attack, infectious disease outbreak or other public health threat.
Services
Provide health information to the public in the event of a public health emergency
Provide presentations and information to help the community prepare to protect themselves in and emergency
Maintain contact with state and federal public health agencies to make sure our community is up-to-date in its public health preparedness efforts
Training for Public Health Responders (Click on the headings below for information)
Entry Level: FEMA IS-700.A: NIMS, An Introduction ICS-100.A: Introduction to ICS or equivalent
First Line and Supervisors: Independent Study-IS-700.A, ICS-100.A, and ICS-200.A: Basic ICS or its equivalent
Middle Management: Strike Team Leaders, Division Supervisors, Emergency Operations Center Staff, etc.: IS-700.A, IS-800.B National Response Framework (NRF), ICS-100.A, ICS-200.A, and ICS-300
Command and General Staff: Emergency and Emergency Operations Center Manager:
IS-700.A, IS-800.B National Response Framework (NRF), ICS-100.A, ICS-200.A, ICS-300, ICS-400
Class A Bio-terrorism Agents
Bio-terrorism involves the intentional or threatened use of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and toxins from living organisms to produce death or disease in humans, animals, or plants.
These are the agents of greatest concern for use in bio-terrorism.
ANTHRAX
BOTULISM
PLAGUE
PNEUMONIC PLAGUE
SMALLPOX
TULAREMIA
Other Agents
CHLORINE
ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE
RICIN
SARIN
See our Epidemiology Program page for information on disease reporting requirements and procedures.
Public Health Preparedness All Hazards (Click on each hazard for English/Spanish PDF)
Flash Flooding
Severe Thunderstorms & Lightning
Power Line
Winter & Ice Storm
Hail & Severe Wind Storms
Terrorism
Tornado
Preparedness
Hot Weather
Hurricane
Tsunami
Earthquake
Food Safety
Isolation & Quarantine
Wild Fire
Hazardous Material
Additional Resources for the Public Click on the headings below for more information)
Pictures of Public Health Preparedness’ Past Events
Airport Vaccination Clinic: On Wednesday, March 24, 2010, Public Health Preparedness and the Immunization Program staff held a Spring Break outreach clinic at
the terminal lobby of the El Paso International Airport. There was a total of 234 airport staff and travelers vaccinated for H1N1 virus and seasonal flu.
Lower Valley Health Fair: The 28th Annual Lower Valley Health Fair saw more than 4,000 El Pasoans on Saturday April 17, 2010 at Socorro High School. Community
residents received health information and services provided at minimal or no cost. The Public Health Preparedness team educated children and their parents on good hand washing
techniques as a way to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria.
Point of Dispensing Trailer Arrival: The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Point of Dispensing (POD) trailers were purchased by the Department of Public Health
(DPH) to support emergency response equipment infrastructure to provide life-saving medications during a public health emergency. The SNS POD trailers may be used region-wide if
necessary.
Border Initiative: Public Health Preparedness and the Henderson Clinic collaborated with the Texas Department of State Health Services’ promotoras in providing
education about the H1N1 vaccine and directions to the clinic for free immunizations to border crossers at the Sante Fe Bridge in downtown El Paso, TX.
Health Beat El Paso: Members of the Public Health Preparedness Program gathered at the El Paso Community College television studios to video tape the City 15
program Health Beat El Paso. Hosted by Armando Saldivar and Alex Munoz, the program brings you the very latest information regarding public health in the Sun City through the
expertise of the most qualified local health leaders.
Second Airport Vaccination Clinic: On Wednesday, July 7, 2010, Public Health Preparedness and the Immunization Program helped make getting a vaccine easier and more affordable with a second vaccine clinic at the airport. In addition to the H1N1 influenza vaccine, a myriad of vaccines for both adults and children were made available. This was the perfect time to avoid the back to school rush and make the most of our partnership with the El Paso International Airport.
CHEMPACK Training Exercise: The Preparedness Program hosted a CHEMPACK Training Exercise on Wednesday, October 20, 2010. First Responders and public health experts from across the state and from throughout our region will met to utilize their skills in a simulated public health emergency. CHEMPACK, a component of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Program, is a program that places federal supplies of medications in communities throughout the nation.
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