Emergency & Bioterrorism Preparedness
The objective of the Emergency/Bioterrorism Preparedness Department is to ensure Public Health Preparedness and establish the capability to respond effectively to bioterrorism, other outbreaks of infectious disease, public health threats, and emergencies.
The responsibilities of the Emergency/Bioterrorism Preparedness Department include the following:
- Assessment and Planning
- Development of new and assessments of existing plans, procedures, staff, equipment, and resources.
- Establish community collaboration with local emergency response agencies to ensure local preparedness efforts are complete.
- Frequently exercise Emergency Response Plans on a local, regional, and state level.
- Surveillance and Epidemiology
- KCHD staff investigates reportable diseases
(see Epidemiology Department). - Utilize several surveillance programs to monitor and rapidly detect unusual disease activity within Knox County.
- 911 calls are monitored.
- Emergency Department visits are monitored.
- Diagnoses by network medical providers are reported.
- School absenteeism is surveyed daily.
- Communications and Information Technology Maintain communications (telephone, fax, and email) with healthcare providers, hospitals, law enforcement, emergency response personnel, and other health departments to ensure rapid dissemination of information.
- Volunteer Management
Inform and recruit community volunteers who would be asked to work Mass Dispensing/Vaccination Clinics in response to a bioterrorism attack.
- Risk Communication
- Ensure that health/risk information is readily available to the public during a terrorist event or natural disaster.
- Maintain relationships with various media outlets to ensure rapid dissemination of information.
- Education and Training
- Provide training to key health personnel who are tasked to respond to public health emergencies.
- Coordinate education and training with other health and emergency agencies.
- Provide training to community members who volunteer to work in Mass Dispensing/Vaccination Clinics.
- Organize and participate in emergency drills.
Staff in the Emergency Preparedness/Terrorism Department can be reached by calling 215-5093.
