Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Program

The Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Program is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Services, and Division of Communicable Diseases. The Program was established in 2001 as a result of 9/11 and the anthrax attacks affecting the Washington metropolitan area. In the event of a bio terrorist event or other public health emergency, Montgomery County and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene are prepared to follow procedures for quickly protecting the public’s health.

In 2004, the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Program was awarded a grant from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to launch an Advanced Practice Center (APC). The Montgomery County APC builds tools and resources for local health departments in the categories of:

Partnerships and Collaboration Building
Build relationships with other community and government organizations that need to work closely in the event of a public health emergency.

Preparedness Planning and Readiness Assessment
Develop unique tools, technologies, exercises, and educational materials to improve emergency preparedness and response. Subtopics include:

• Vulnerable Populations
• Preparedness Planning and Response

Disease Detection and Investigation
Develop tools specific to enhancement and improvement of disease detection and surveillance during a public health emergency. Subtopics include:

• Surveillance Systems
• Outbreak Investigations

Workforce Development and Training
Develop curricula and training materials to build a ready workforce for a public health emergency. Subtopics include:

• Medical Communities
• Staff Training

Risk Communication and Public Education
Develop tools and resources that will enable public health to communicate more accurately and effectively with the public. Subtopics include:

• Risk Communication
• Public Awareness and Education