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Emergency Planning
Division of Preventive Health Services
John Ingham,
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Telephone: (315)
376-5609
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30AM - 4:30PM
The terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001 and the use of deadly anthrax spores as a weapon of
mass destruction, have left an unfortunate legacy of constant vigilance
for countless governments, agencies, and individuals across our country.
The continuing war on terrorism waged in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other
foreign battle fronts is also addressed at home in the ongoing planning
and preparation for emergency response to a terrorist attack at home,
should it happen again. The diligence of federal, state, and local
agencies and organizations working cooperatively to assess vulnerability,
identify gaps in preparation and build the immediate and robust capacity
to detect and effectively respond to different types of potential
bioterrorist attacks has also been of significant benefit to the
day-to-day operations of local health departments and their emergency
response partners. As an example, a focus on improving communication and
information transfer among local and state agencies has led to the
development of communication protocols and procedures useful in the
emergency response to naturally occurring emergencies, disasters, and
emerging diseases. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita reinforced the essential
need for all local governments to be prepared for the most overwhelming of
natural global nature, and the immediate need, to be planning for
catastrophic emergencies.
Lewis County Public Health,
with guidance and support from the New York State Department of Health, is
continually building and refining its emergency preparation and response
capabilities should a man-made or naturally occurring disaster impact the
health and welfare of the residents of Lewis County.
A recent focus of Public
Health emergency planning has been directed toward Pandemic Influenza and
the daunting task of planning for the possibility of Pandemic Influenza
striking Lewis County.
Some other threats to the
common good that we prioritize are:
- Bioterrorism - Anthrax,
Plague, etc. [more information]
- Natural Disasters &
Severe Weather - Flood, Winter weather, Wildfires, etc. [more
information]
- Recent Outbreaks &
Incidents - Salmonella, Bridge Collapse, Asbestos, etc.
- Mass Casualties - Burns,
Explosions, Preparedness Tools, etc.
- Chemical or Radiation
Emergencies
Countywide emergency planning
efforts will require the residents of Lewis County to become informed and
prepared. The following links will provide useful information for
individuals and families in preparing for emergencies of all types. Should
you have any questions or concerns as you explore the information provided
at the various sites, feel free to call Lewis County Public Health at
376-5609 for further information.
Useful links:
Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
http://emergency.cdc.gov/
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/BeReady/
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
New York State Emergency Management Office:
http://www.semo.state.ny.us/
Federal Emergency Management Agency:
http://www.fema.gov/
U.S. Department of Homeland Security:
http://www.dhs.gov/
New York State Dept. of Health (NYSDOH):
http://www.health.state.ny.us/
NYSDOH Emergency Preparedness and
Response:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/emergency/
NYSDOH Pandemic Influenza:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/influenza/pandemic/
World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/index.html
