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Public Health Preparedness for Emergencies
June 8, 2023 Press Release - Public Input Wanted as County Updates Hazard Mitigation Plan
What is it?
The Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) cooperative agreement is a critical source of funding for state, local, and territorial public health departments from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention. Since 2002, the PHEP cooperative agreement has provided assistance to public health departments across the nation. This helps health departments build and strengthen their abilities to effectively respond to a range of public health threats, including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological events. Preparedness activities funded by the PHEP cooperative agreement specifically targeted the development of emergency-ready public health departments that are flexible and adaptable.
If you are ill, see your health care provider. To report an emergency, call 911. If you are a physician calling to report an infectious disease, please call 651-201-5414 or 877-676-5414. MDH Emergency Operations after hours number: 651-201-5735.
Mille Lacs County Preparedness
Mille Lacs County public health preparedness practices an all hazards response meaning that our plans are scalable to the size and type of incident. Some of the activities to ensure preparedness include:
- Collaborating with the community to address health concerns
- Working with families to prepare them for possible emergencies
- Partnering with healthcare and other interested parties in the community to ensure efficient response activities
- Providing educational resources to the community
Emergency Supplies for the Home
If you have to stay in your home for extended periods without being able to leave or get to a grocery store, such as interruptions in delivery service or voluntary quarantine, here are some supplies that you can keep on hand. It is suggested to stock enough food to last for approximately 6 weeks. Don’t forget to rotate stock.
- 1 gallon of water per person, per day. 1 quart per animal, per day
- Bisquick
- Boxed mashed potatoes
- Brown sugar
- Canned foods such as:
- Beef Ravioli
- Beef Stew (Can be eaten cold)
- Canned Chips
- Canned Fruit and Veggies
- Canned Peanuts
- Corned Beef Hash (May be eaten cold if no heat source)
- Hard Candy
- Sardines
- Soups
- Spam
- Tuna
- Chicken or beef bouillon cubes
- Coffee/tea/Kool Aid
- Cooking oil
- Dried beans
- Dried eggs
- Dried milk
- Flour
- Long grain rice (brown or white)
- Oatmeal
- Peanut butter
- Pet food
- Soda crackers (will replace bread if needed)
- Sugar
- Syrup
- Toiletries:
- Facial Tissue
- Paper Towel
- Soap
- Toilet Paper
- Toothpaste
- Tomatoes
Electronics
In order to see a night time and to cook you should have a lantern, camp stove or grill, and fuel. Make sure you use in a well ventilated area to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Emergency Preparedness Kit
If you and your family had to hurriedly leave your home in an emergency situation (such as tornado damage, flood, or rising waters) you should have a basic kit put together in a backpack that you can quickly grab and go.
These are some supplies you might want to consider including as part of it:
- Battery operated radio
- Bottled water
- Cell phone charger
- Duct tape (for taping plastic sheeting together)
- Dust mask or cotton t-shirt to use as a mask
- Energy bars
- Extra batteries
- Flashlight
- Moist towelettes
- Plastic bags and ties
- Plastic sheeting (for shelter)
- Whistle
Additional Items to Add to Kit
Depending on your family’s health you may also want to add:
- Age appropriate games, books, or cards for children
- Cash
- Can opener and canned foods
- Prescription medications and medical records
- Rain gear/poncho
- Warm clothes, extra socks, and emergency blanket
Caring for Pets
The following are ways to care for your pets in the case of an emergency:
- Ensure each pet has proper IdentificationID and up-to-date shot records.
- Identification should include current pictures and distinguishing marks.
- Ensure large animals have ID and plan how you would evacuate, if necessary.
- Do your research on when to leave large animals in shelter or outside.
- Gather pet food and supplies.
- Have pet carriers, collars, and leashes for all animals. (Harnesses are suggested for cats.)
- Identify a shelter where you could leave animals.
CodeRED
Be informed! Register on the CodeRED website to receive the most recent weather and emergency alerts for your address.
Stay Informed
Visit ready.org to find more in depth information on how to prepare yourself and your family.