Emergency Preparedness

Disaster can strike with no warning, giving little time to decide what to do, where to go or what to take with you. Being prepared for an emergency before it happens can make the difference between safety or danger and even life or death.

The Cooper County Public Health Center has the essential resources you need to prepare yourself and your loved ones for such an event. Our information is designed to aid you in both being prepared before a disater has a chance to show unpreparedness and how to swiftly recover from disaster once it occurs. We invite you to take some time to review all of our information and get the insights you need to stay safe!

Be Prepared In An Emergency

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The Cooper Count Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) was developed as a result of emergency planning and preparedness by the Cooper County Public Health Center. The MRC program coordinates the skills of practicing and retired physicians, nurses and other health professional as well as other citizens interested in health issues, who are eager to volunteer and assist in a support role to address their community’s ongoing public health needs and to help their community during large-scale emergency situations. MRC volunteers may also serve a vital role by assisting their communities with ongoing public health needs (e.g., immunizations, screenings, health and nutrition education and volunteering in community health centers and local hospitals). (If you are interested in volunteering for the Cooper County MRC please contact Jesse DeVIllier at 660-882-2626.)

The Planning Process
Cooper County Emergency plans are all encompassing. Our plans are the basic framework for any disaster, natural or man-made. Planning is fluid and an ever-evolving process. The Public Health portion of the County plan is located within Annex M. Other healthcare providers such as the hospital and coroner also have responsibilities according to their disciplines within ESF 8.

The Cooper County Health Center is also in the lead role for medical planning. This lead role does not allow for the public health department to write plans for other agencies or tell them how to manage their services. Each county and city discipline is responsible for developing their own plan. This plan should be integrated within the County Plan.

The Cooper County Public Health Center has several internal plans to help meet the goals of the County Plan. We have an all hazards plan, a pandemic flu plan and a plan for setting up a POD- Point of Dispensing of medications or immunizations issued by the Federal Government. All of these plans remain under review for progress and change.

Agencies outside of the CCPHC are being asked to plan for scenarios in which they have little experience. With every disaster, public health officials meet with public officials from the disaster area to discuss what worked, what did not, and what preparation was needed. It is this process that allows for agency growth and preparedness. Because plans do not contain answers to every question, the planning process is very important.

Exercise Goals & Objectives:
- Facilitate the understanding of the magnitude of the impact a pandemic outbreak would be to our country.
- Discuss requirements and actions that should be considered in response to the pandemic scenario.
- Raise awareness about impact of pandemic influenza on a rural community.
- Increase understanding regarding the responsibilities of all participating agencies.
- Determine whether current plans adequately address-anticipated events.
- Identify gaps in coordination between agencies.
- Promote advance planning between health departments, healthcare, and other agencies.

All Hazard Health

Flood

Power Outages

Tornadoes

Emergency Preparedness

Be Prepared In An Emergency

Cooper County Emergency Management Website