Welcome to Johnson County Public Health - Emergency Preparedness


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How is the county prepared to respond to public health emergencies?
Emergency Johnson County Public Health (JCPH) has been working together with other agencies to develop a strong system for responding to a wide range of potential health disasters, including bioterrorism. Our past responses to events such as floods, tornadoes and disease outbreaks are examples of the department’s readiness to respond effectively to public health threats. Just as they have done during previous events, JCPH staff will investigate cases of infectious disease, implement prevention and control measures, hold public clinics to provide medicines or vaccinations, and conduct environmental inspections.
During a public health emergency, the following are examples of actions JCPH staff will take:
Be alerted that an unusually high number of individuals have developed a disease that may pose a threat to others.
•  Be alerted that an unusually high number of individuals have developed a disease that may pose a threat to others.
•  Work closely with the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory to test for a wide range of infectious diseases.
•  Notify the public and various groups of steps they can take to prevent and control illness and disease.
•  Provide preventive medicines or vaccinations to Johnson County residents when the situation warrants it.
•  Work with healthcare and other stake holder agencies to meet the needs of all Johnson County residents.
•  Provide environmental health inspections or assessment services.
How will Johnson County residents know that a health threat has been identified?
Once enough information is known, and after consultation with the Iowa Department of Public Health, JCPH will alert health care providers, hospitals, clinics and others in the community. The alert will explain the nature of the public health threat and how a response will be coordinated. Depending on the nature of the event, the response could include any one of the following:
• Guidelines for health care providers for the treatment of patients who have specific symptoms.
• Ways to prevent spreading of the disease.
• Public announcements to describe actions individuals can take to minimize contracting disease or avoid spreading infections to others.
• The public would be informed regarding the best steps to take to protect their health through press releases to news media and the Johnson County Public Health website.
• Mobilization of volunteers to establish vaccination or medication clinics for large groups of people, if necessary.

What can I do?
Information County residents can take steps to prepare. Having a plan in place helps to ensure that you and your family will know where one another are, hear important instructions from state and county officials, and respond in a way that keeps you and others in the area safe. In addition, there are some very important things you can do:
• Remain calm.
• Contact your physician if you have questions about your health.
• Take care of yourself and maintain a healthy immune system.
 
- Don’t smoke.
- Get rest, exercise and eat right.
- Keep immunizations up to date.
- Observe good hygiene and food safety.
- Cover your mouth when you cough.
- Wash your hands after coughing.
- Wash your hands after using the restroom.
• Seek the services of a mental health professional if you are feeling extremely stressed or depressed.
• Don’t take unnecessary precautions - such as seeking antibiotics and vaccines - as these may do more harm than good.
• Make an emergency supply kit.
• Put together a “Go Bag.”
• Volunteer to work with the JCPH by calling 319-356-6040.

Prepare Yourself and Your Family
There are several key steps that Johnson County residents can take to help prepare and protect themselves and their families. Emergency management officials use an “all-hazards” approach to emergency preparedness, which means that one plan can be used for several kinds of emergencies, including storms, blackouts, and terrorism.

By being prepared, you can reduce your family’s anxieties, fears and losses. The following key steps will assist you in being prepared to react to emergency situations.
• Create a household emergency plan, including information listed in the Personal Emergency Contact Information Template Adobe Document
• Assemble an emergency supply kit
• Make a “go-bag”
• Discuss your plan with your family, and
• Maintain and practice your plan throughout the year.

The Iowa Department of Public Health has created a guide that is available here. It can also be obtained by calling 866-339-7906.
Put Together an Emergency Supply Kit
Eemergency Kit An emergency supply kit is a stockpile of essential items to keep in your home in the event that you need to take shelter there for a few days. If you must stay indoors for safety reasons, you should have the supplies you and your family require to meet your primary needs. As a general rule, families should plan to have enough supplies in their home for 3 days. Here are some items to include in your emergency supply kit:
Check Portable radio and flashlight, with new batteries for each
Check Other emergency tools (e.g., adjustable wrench, pliers, utility knife or scissors, matches in waterproof container)
Check Supply of drinking water (1 gallon per day per person)
Check Non-perishable foods (for example, granola and energy bars, crackers, peanut butter, canned foods with a manual can opener, and non-perishable pasteurized milk)
Check First-aid kit (bandages, antibiotic ointment, sterile cloths, pain reliever, alcohol pads, tweezers, scissors, latex or other sterile gloves, and eyewash solution)
Check Prescription medications (make sure to replace them when they expire)
Check Personal hygiene items (such as moist towelettes, toothbrush and toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, and toilet paper)
Check Sanitation supplies (such as soap, bleach, and plastic trash bags, bucket with lid)
Check Blankets and sleeping bags
Check Whistle (in case you need to draw attention to your location)
Check Special needs items for babies, the elderly and family members with disabilities
Check Sturdy shoes, lightweight raingear, hat and gloves, change of clothing
Check Copies of important personal documents (such as a list of current prescriptions, insurance cards, birth certificates, marriage license, and photo IDs, bank account numbers, immunization records, passport, social security numbers, will, etc.) in a waterproof and portable container
Check Cloth to cover your mouth
Check Duct tape, plastic sheeting
Check Extra set of car keys, glasses, hearing aid
Check Cash
Put Together a “Go Bag”
Go Bag Emergency management officials also recommend packing certain supplies in an easy – to – carry backpack or duffel bag – a “go bag” of items that you can grab if you have to leave your home in a hurry. Most of these items are included in the suggestions of what to include in your emergency supply kit.
Check Battery-operated radio and flashlight, with new batteries
Check Contact and meeting place information for your household
Check Extra set of car and house keys
Check Copies of important papers in a waterproof container
Check Bottled water and non-perishable food (such as granola or energy bars)
Check Sturdy shoes, lightweight raingear, hat and gloves
Check First-aid kit
Check Prescription medications (for about a week)
Check Personal hygiene supplies
Check Special items for children or disabled individuals