January 25, 2011
Health Districts honored as “Public Health Ready”
(ROANOKE, Va.) – As local health departments nationwide strive to protect the public from new and infectious diseases, bioterrorism, natural disasters, and other public health threats, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has recognized the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts for their planning and proven ability to respond to public health emergencies.
The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts met the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts are two of fewer than 200 local public health agencies across the country to be so recognized since the program began in 2004.
“We are proud to have been recognized by Project Public Health Ready for our high level of preparedness, and especially proud to be part of a region that takes preparedness to heart, at home, at work and in the community,” said Dr. Stephanie Harper, director of the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts. “Our region is a leader in emergency preparedness—in public health, safety, and other disciplines and we thank all of our great local and regional partners for their collaboration that helped us achieve this, all recognizing the keys to our success in responding to any emergency remain the actions of our citizens in advance planning, cooperating with authorities and helping each other in a time of duress.”
“NACCHO commends the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts for being models of public health emergency preparedness,” said Robert Pestronk, Executive Director of NACCHO. “The public health system is making great strides thanks to the good work of leaders in local public health preparedness such as the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts.
Local health departments recognized by PPHR undergo a thorough evaluation process by peer review. PPHR required the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts to meet expectations in public health preparedness in three key areas: preparedness planning; workforce competency; and demonstration of all-hazards readiness through exercises or a response to a real event. The recognition confirms that the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts have an emergency response plan in place, the plan is connected to other jurisdictional emergency response plans, agency staff members are trained, and the plan is exercised and used during public health emergencies.
The mission of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) is to be a leader, partner, catalyst, and voice for local health departments in order to ensure the conditions that promote health and equity, combat disease, and improve the quality and length of all lives.
For more information on all Project Public Health Ready recognized sites and project tools and resources, go towww.naccho.org/topics/emergency/pphr.cfm.