The GSCPHN is funded in part by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control, to assure the delivery of public health services and essential health information throughout our communities. We inform and educate the public about health issues, linking people to needed services.  Through 2008 and 2009 a large focus for the Network has been our regional Emergency Preparedness and Response planning process.

The Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan:
A regional coordinating committee (RCC) has developed a comprehensive Response Plan which establishes methods and procedures for local, regional and state emergency planning agencies to respond to public health emergencies. A public health emergency is broadly defined as the occurrence of a sudden event that affects the public’s health. A public health emergency can be caused by natural disasters, biological terrorism, chemical terrorism/accidents, radiological terrorism/accidents, or naturally occurring communicable disease outbreaks. This Plan is intended to be multifunctional in that some events will require the execution of specific sections only, a large-scale public health emergency will require the execution of this entire plan, and it will also be used to simulate exercises and drills.

Elements of the Plan:
This plan contains three phases under the operations section: preparedness, response, and recovery. Preparedness is an ongoing effort and describes a desired state of affairs as well as an area for continuous improvement. The GSCAHHR and the State will move to the response phase once a public health emergency has been identified, and then to the recovery phase after the immediate threat of further illness or injury has subsided.

Based on Federal and State response protocol, the plan also:

• Provides information on community resources & how to activate state/federal resources.
• Identifies procedures for medication distribution.
• Identifies acute care locations to support hospital capacity.
• Helps to coordinate resources in an emergency.

A Continuing Effort:
The Public Health Emergency Preparedness Response Plan will remain a working document to be used in conjunction with other established emergency operating plans. The Regional Coordinating Committee will continue to meet on a regular basis to update the Plan and review new information as it becomes available.

Public Health Activities: GSCPHN Vision
Here are some of the exciting things the GSCPHN is working on:

• Distributing health information.
• Development of a Public Health resource directory.
• Attending local events and fairs.
• Public Health training.
• Community assessments.
• Recruitment for Medical Reserve Corps and ESAR_VHP Volunteer registry
• Helping our communities stay HEALTHY