The Fulton County Board of Health’s Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) is responsible for developing and implementing plans to address and protect the health and safety of the community when emergencies and disasters occur.
In order to ensure effective preparation, the OEP conducts drills and exercises on an ongoing basis in order to test response strategies and timeliness in coordination with the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Office of Emergency Preparedness. These activities are very important as they provide opportunities to test specific protocols such as communication procedures, essential personnel needed, and quickly establishing central treatment facilities.
This office is one of the most involved in responding to the aftermath of severe weather or natural disasters (i.e., ice storms, tornadoes, and flooding) where medical and public health services are needed, as well as the distribution of clean water and food.
Programs
Region D Healthcare Coalition
About the RDHC
RESPONSIVE. ADAPTABLE. RESILIENT.
In recent years, the necessity for a responsive, adaptable, and resilient healthcare network capable of providing a synchronized and successful response to the immediate healthcare needs of our communities has become increasingly apparent. We are the Region D Healthcare Coalition (RDHC), a network of healthcare organizations, providers, and regional partners, based in Metro-Atlanta and committed to strengthening our healthcare system to ensure that it will be best prepared to respond during those crucial times of need. Learn more here.
Contact Us Now
For immediate assistance, please reach out to us via email, or complete our contact form below.
GHC911
Georgia Healthcare Coalitions
Making Georgia Safer, One Coalition at a Time
Who can be a member?
All healthcare organizations and community partners are invited to join their coalitions and register for a GHC911 account.
Why become a member?
Membership is available at no cost to you. Members may attend their quarterly Coalition meetings where they can participate in planning, training, and exercises. Coalitions provide a space to collaborate and support other members during disaster response and recovery. Your organization will build new and stronger relationships with other healthcare organizations, complete CMS guidelines, learn about available resources in the community, and have access to training and grant funding.
Georgia Healthcare Coalition Assistance Program
As part of the Healthcare Preparedness Program, the Georgia Hospital Association Research and Education Foundation serves as the financial liaison between Georgia’s fourteen healthcare coalitions and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (as the Specialty Coordinating Hospital for Pediatrics). GHAREF assists these coalitions and CHOA, in supply procurement, class and training course logistics, and travel assistance to increase preparedness efforts in each respective region. For more information about this project, please contact coalitionsupport@gha.org.
Cities Readiness Initiative
Cities Readiness Initiative
CDC’s Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) is a federally funded program designed to enhance preparedness in the nation’s largest population centers where more than 50% of the U.S. population resides. Using CRI funding, state and large metropolitan public health departments develop, test, and maintain plans to quickly receive and distribute life-saving medicine and medical supplies from the nation’s Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to local communities following a large-scale public health emergency.
Initially, the CRI planning scenario was based on a response to a large-scale anthrax attack; however, through continued analysis and lessons learned, it became apparent that CRI jurisdictions must be prepared to respond to other public health emergencies. The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act emphasized an all-hazards approach to public health preparedness planning, thereby expanding the scope of the CRI planning to include natural and man-made public health threats.
Through the Cities Readiness Initiative program, the Fulton County Board of Health has developed mass dispensing plans to respond to a large-scale bioterrorist event within 48 hours. These plans have been created to ensure preventive medications can be dispensed to 100% of the population of Fulton County within the allotted 48 hours.
For more information, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/orr/readiness/phep/cri.htm or contact the DPH Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response at (860) 509-8282.
Point of Dispensing (PODS)
Points of dispensing (PODS) are community locations in which state and local agencies dispense MCMs to the public during a public health emergency.
https://www.cdc.gov/orr/readiness/resources/healthcare/closedpodtoolkit.htm
Strategic National Stockpile/Medical Countermeasure (SNS/MCM)
The Strategic National Stockpile/Medical Countermeasure (SNS/MCM) program manages a large quantity of medicines and medical supplies managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The SNS/MCM contains antibiotics, chemical antidotes, antitoxins, life-support medications, IV administration, airway maintenance supplies, and medical/surgical items that can be used to protect the public in an emergency. During a public health emergency, local areas may run out of critical medicines or medical supplies. The SNS/MCM is designed for rapid deployment to quickly augment state and local supplies.
The medicines in the SNS/MCM are free to everyone. You will need to bring a completed Head of Household form if you are picking up medicine for yourself and/or someone else. The SNS/MCM has enough medicine stockpiled to protect everyone in several large cities at once. If it becomes necessary to distribute medications in Fulton County, you will be informed of this through local TV, radio, and newspapers along with the Fulton County Board of Health website and social media.
For more information about the SNS, please visit https://aspr.hhs.gov/sns/Pages/default.aspx
Local Community Partners
Continuity of business is essential for the business and the Fulton County community during and after an emergency; a bioterror attack is no exception. The Fulton County Board of Health is currently looking to provide a more targeted and efficient approach to medication dispensing in the event of a bioterror attack or public health emergency by partnering with businesses within Fulton County. Through collaboration with business partners in Fulton County, approximately 62% of the Fulton County’s population can be provided prophylactic medication by targeting businesses with an employee population of 500 or more.
Businesses may wish to consider becoming a Closed Point of Dispensing (POD) as a means of creating a more robust Continuity of Operations/Continuity of Business plan. A Closed POD is a site within your facility where you provide the necessary medications for your staff as well as their families.
Benefits of operating a Closed POD
- Staff know their employer is concerned for their welfare and is ensuring their safety
- Minimal interruption to current business activities
- Collaboration with local health department and first responders
- Continued business operations are good for the company, the staff, the community, and the economy
Emergency Preparedness Tips
Make a Family Emergency Plan
An emergency can strike at any time. Being prepared for a disaster can keep you and your family safe.
Put together your family’s emergency plan by discussing the following questions with your family, friends and neighbors:
- How will we receive our emergency alerts?
- What is our shelter plan?
- What is our evacuation plan?
Consider the Specific Needs of Your Household
Be sure to tailor the plan to your family’s specific needs. Below is a list of things to consider:
- Different ages of members within your household and what they are capable of
- Locations that are familiar
- Dietary needs
- Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
- Disabilities or access to functional needs including devices and equipment
- Languages spoken
- Cultural and religious considerations
- Pets or service animals
Are You Ready?
Preparing for Disaster
- Pack a Disaster Kit with a two-week supply
- Develop a Family Emergency and Communications Plan
- Look out for Emergency Alertsfrom public safety officials
- Document your prescriptionsand important medical information
Natural Disasters
- Prepare for tornadoes
- Prepare for floods
- Prepare for thunderstorms and lightning
- Prepare for winter weather
Man-made Disaster
Recovering From Disaster
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Self-Report Damage Assessments
Emergency Management Agencies in Fulton County
COVID-19 Call Center
To speak with someone about COVID-19, testing, and vaccinations, please call: (770) 520-7600
Additional Resources
- American Red Cross
- FEMA
- GA Dept of Health – Emergency Preparedness
- Ready.gov
- Ready Georgia
- Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA)
- FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) Resource Center
- Prevent Potential Health Problems in Case of Flood
- Georgia Emergency Preparedness and Response
- CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Emergency Preparedness in the Classroom
- Emergency Preparedness in School
- TIPS for Vulnerable Populations
- Taking Care of Vulnerable Populations During an Emergency
- Preparing for Disaster for People With Disabilities and Special Needs