Being prepared for the possibility of an emergency is crucial for residents and families in Kansas.
Emergencies can be many different incidents. It can be a broken-down vehicle, significant weather event such as a tornado or flood, a man-made emergency or a large-scale health emergency.
The Harvey County Health Department coordinates with partner agencies within the Harvey County government, city governments and area health care providers to prepare and respond to any emergent incidents affecting Harvey County and the region.
For more information on local readiness initiatives, contact the Health Department's community services coordinator.
Preparing Now for an Emergency
Unfortunately, emergencies often happen with little-to-no warning. Minutes - and even seconds - are critical during an emergent incident.
It is wise and prudent to plan now for a potential emergency in the future. For tips and suggestions on how to prepare for a potential emergency, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's readiness website or The American Academy of Pediatrics Family Readiness Kit.
Cities Readiness Initiative
The Cities Readiness Initiative provides resources to cities and regions to deliver medication and medical supplies in the event of a large-scale public health emergency, accomplished through the combined efforts of citizens and local health departments.
The Cities Readiness Initiative is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Point of Distribution
A public health emergency puts the health of a community and its people at risk. It could be a natural disaster, chemical spill, disease outbreak or terrorism.
In the event of a public health emergency, the Health Department may activate a Point of Distribution (POD), a location where medication is distributed to the public. Information about a POD will be announced through multiple communication methods should the need arise.
Should a POD be activated, the following information will be needed at the site: names of household members, address, phone number, medication allergies of all household members, weights of individuals under 90 pounds, and knowledge of other conditions, such as liver, epilepsy, kidney, or pertinent medical information such as pregnancy or breastfeeding.
