For immediate release:
September 7, 2005

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
573-751-6062

Department Emphasizes Role in Homeland Security Preparedness
Preparedness training put into action for hurricane relief efforts

Local National Preparedness Month Activity

Jefferson City—As the nation recognizes September as National Preparedness Month to commemorate 9-11, public health has become an integral part in state and local emergency preparedness efforts. Missouri Department of Heath and Senior Services along with 114 local public health agencies now have a lead role in ensuring that Missouri is prepared to respond to a biological, chemical or nuclear attack or public health emergency.

Julie Eckstein, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, said the department has conducted statewide exercises and operates an around-the clock Department Situation Room to help prepare health officials and citizens to respond to emergencies, both natural and deliberate.

Public health is now putting their training into action as they work to provide relief to hurricane victims at both the state and local levels. DHSS has activated its Department Situation Room to serve as a command and control center for public health issues. DHSS and local public health agencies are working with state and local emergency management agencies, hospitals and community organizations to provide the basic medical needs, health screenings and immunizations for persons arriving in Missouri and staying in temporary shelters.

The DHSS Department Situation Room hotline, 1-800-392-0272, is receiving calls from licensed medical professionals who are willing to volunteer. DHSS has issued health advisories on possible health issues of displaced persons and recommended immunizations for emergency responders. Additional information on the hurricane relief efforts is available on the department’s website at www.dhss.mo.gov.

“Everyone is aware that police, firefighters and hospital staff work around-the-clock, but our state health department and local public health agencies are also available for emergencies 24-hours a day, seven days a week,” Eckstein said. “Their job is to be alert and responsive to the public’s health and well-being with quick ability to mitigate and respond to potential biological, chemical or nuclear emergencies, as well as emerging infectious diseases.”

Gov. Blunt’s top priority is to ensure the public is involved in exercises and drills statewide to ensure Missouri is better prepared to manage a potential emergency situation.

Under Blunt’s directions, public health employees have been practicing their skills through exercises and drills in many communities and have tested plans for mass distribution of medications. These types of exercises are valuable to both citizens and officials so they can be better prepared for public health emergencies such as deliberate food contamination, pandemic influenza or weapons of mass destruction. These exercises demonstrate that partnerships between local, state and federal agencies – at all levels are essential to obtaining the ultimate goal of protecting the public and saving lives in the event of a large-scale public health emergency or terrorism attack.

“Local, state and federal agencies have plans to protect the public, but individuals also need to take steps to prepare for emergencies,” Eckstein said. “We urge families to take three simple steps to be better prepared for any type of disaster. It is important that families develop a plan, put together an emergency supply kit, and be prepared to listen for information about what to do and where to go during an emergency”

The department’s recommendation is part of its Ready in 3 emergency preparedness initiative to remind Missourians of what they can do at home, school, and work to prepare for emergencies. Disasters can happen at anytime or any place, and Ready in 3 provides three simple steps to prepare for an emergency situation. The Ready in 3 Family Safety Guide, available in English, Spanish, Bosnian and Braille provides detailed information on the three steps in preparing for emergency situations. A Family Plan that outlines the items that should be included in a family’s emergency plan accompanies the Family Safety Guides.

“Our department will continue to expand on the work that has been started and build an even more comprehensive system to protect Missouri’s citizens,” Eckstein said. “We hope that Missouri’s citizens will take time to make sure their families are prepared. Working together, we can be prepared and save lives.”

For more information on Missouri’s public health efforts or to order free materials from the Ready in 3 emergency program, call 573.526.4768 or go to http://www.dhss.mo.gov and click on Ready in 3.