The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department has been recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials for its ability to plan for, respond to and recover from public health emergencies. The Health Department demonstrated these capabilities by meeting the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready, a partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The agency joins a cohort of more than 400 local health departments across the country that have been distinguished for excellence in preparedness through PPHR, either individually or as part of a region.
“We are proud to be recognized by Project Public Health Ready for our high level of preparedness,” said Becky Barnes, administrator at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department. “We will continue to improve our ability to quickly and effectively respond to any public health crisis in Hamilton County."
PPHR recognition confirms that the Health Department has a thorough and coordinated emergency response plan in place and that staff have the training to protect the health of the community during an emergency, said officials. Local health departments recognized by PPHR undergo an evaluation by peer review to assess their ability to meet a set of national standards for public health preparedness. These standards align with federal government requirements and other national best practices.
PPHR recognition also requires health departments to collaborate with their state, local, and community partners to develop plans that account for all the constituents in their jurisdictions. “To best prepare for public health emergencies, community partners are imperative,” said Sabrina Novak, emergency response coordinator at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department. “Our partners represent a variety of agencies ranging from governmental to non-profit organizations. We are always striving to engage new partners, who bring their expertise and viewpoints to the table.”
Health departments are a part of any community’s first response to local disasters such as: disease outbreaks, emergencies and acts of terrorism.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the Health Department’s new recognition,” said Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger. “Having gone through two tornadoes and a crippling winter storm in recent years, we are very aware of the key role the Health Department plays in preparing and reacting to emergencies of all kinds. The NACCHO certification substantiates the high standards our Health Department consistently maintains and plans for as it interacts with the public for all kinds of health issues."
NACCHO, the voice of the 2,800 local health departments across the country, provides resources to help local health department leaders develop public health policies and programs to ensure that communities have access to programs and services that people need to keep them protected from disease and disaster.
For more information on emergency preparedness and planning, visit the website.