Emergency Preparedness personnel are 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 Chaffee County Emergency Management and the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center to develop plans and protocols for augmenting the capacity of the hospital in the event it becomes overwhelmed with patients (Medical Surge Capacity).
View the Chaffee County Emergency Preparedness Guide so you know what to do and how to prepare for emergencies.
All emergency plans must be tested to ensure they are functional and to provide training for community responders. The division is responsible for developing exercises and participating in exercises developed by other community partners. These activities enhance the emergency preparedness of the entire Chaffee County community.
In the event that the entire population of Chaffee 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 Chaffee 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.
During Emergency events current staffing is inadequate to respond to the needs of the community requiring the use of volunteers. If you are interested in assisting during an emergency you must be registered with Chaffee County Public Health. If you have a medical license as a Physician, Nurse, Pharmacist, Respiratory Therapist, EMT/Paramedic, Behavioral/Mental Health or Veterinarian register with the Colorado Volunteer Mobilizer for Medical and Public Health Professionals.
If you have questions about Emergency Preparedness please call, 719-539-4510.
