Public Health Preparedness

Much like the unbridled spirit of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) Department for Public Health (DPH) has an unbridled commitment to the health and safety of all Kentuckians. In any incident of national significance – outbreaks of disease, natural disasters or acts of terrorism, including biological warfare – citizens need to know where to go for answers.

This portion of the CHFS Web site is dedicated to helping you be safe.  Here, you will find guidelines for you and your family on how to prepare for disasters and links to valuable sources of information. 

Since 2001, Kentucky’s DPH has received federal funds through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for public health emergency preparedness and planning.  CHFS/DPH collaborates with local health departments, emergency management, hospitals and other organizations to increase the preparedness of the Commonwealth.

• Emergency Preparedness: Do you know what to do to prepare for emergencies and how to tell the difference among potential terroristic threats? This section will tell you how.
• History of CHFS Emergency Planning: The background of public health emergency preparedness and recent developments in the Commonwealth is described in this section.
• Is Kentucky Really At Risk: This section describes several hazards that exist in the state that you should be aware of.
• Kentucky's Disaster Response Plans: Created to ensure that all phases of disasters (pre-disaster, disaster and post-disaster) are in place to protect and effectively communicate with the public during a disaster or public health emergency.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS): Was developed to provide health organizations with increased interoperability and compatibility when working among federal, state and local agencies involved in emergencies such as disease epidemics, natural disasters or acts of terrorism.
• What You Can Do To Be Prepared: All residents of the Commonwealth need to take steps NOW to prepare for any type of emergency. This section will show you how. Learn what items you should have in your Emergency Supply Kit in case disaster strikes.
• Reaching Out To Everyone: In the untimely event of a disaster reaching out is essential to ensure citizens are supplied with valuable information in a time of crisis. Learn how You Can Help.
• Other Resources: Informative public health preparedness-related links.