Fri, 2/7/25: Women’s Heart Healthy Facts & Snacks with Free Hands-only CPR Classes
Program Overview
The Erie County Department of Health Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) provides leadership and assistance to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies.
Program Responsibilities
Our primary responsibilities include:
- Developing and integrating all-hazards public health response plans
- Conducting drills and exercises to test these plans
- Recruiting for, training and deploying the Erie County Medical Reserve Corps (ECMRC)
- Educating the public and training county response partners in the areas below
Integrated Shelter Support
In the event that general population shelters are established in Erie County, the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness works with the American Red Cross Western New York Chapter to coordinate public health services, basic medical care, and functional needs support services.
Examples of services provided include:
- Observation, assessment, and maintenance of individuals with minor health/medical conditions
- Assistance with personal care or activities of daily living
- Assistance obtaining, managing, and administering medications (prescription and over the counter)
- Assistance obtaining and utilizing durable medical equipment and medical supplies
Isolation and Quarantine
In the event of a public health emergency caused by an infectious disease, the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness will coordinate activities that will limit the spread of disease. Two ways of doing this include:
- Isolation: is used to separate ill persons who have a communicable disease from those who are healthy.
- Quarantine: is used to separate well persons who may have been exposed to a communicable disease to see if they become ill.
Mass Vaccination and Prophylaxis in Points of Dispensing (POD)
Certain public health emergencies may require administration of large numbers of vaccine or medication in a short period of time. The Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness will coordinate the Erie County Department of Health’s (ECDOH) response which may include Points of Dispensing (POD). POD sites are typically large facilities (universities, colleges, high schools) located throughout the county.
Medical Surge
Medical Surge is the capability to rapidly expand the capacity of the existing healthcare system (long-term care facilities, community health agencies, acute care facilities, alternate care facilities and public health departments) in order to provide assessment and medical care.
Strategic National Stockpile Plan
The federal Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) has large quantities of medicine and medical supplies to protect the American public if there is a public health emergency severe enough to cause local supplies to run out. Once federal and local authorities agree that the SNS is needed, medicines will be delivered to any state in the U.S. within 12 hours. Each state has plans to receive and distribute SNS medicine and medical supplies to local communities as quickly as possible.
Erie County is prepared to receive, process, and distribute medication, supplies and equipment to Points of Distribution (POD) sites and hospitals throughout Erie County.
Erie County Medical Reserve Corps (ECMRC)
The Erie County Medical Reserve Corps (ECMRC) is Erie County, New York's volunteer public health emergency response organization.
See the ECMRC website for information about this program.
Public Health Preparedness Trainings for Businesses, Organizations, or Groups
Emergencies can happen at any time and can affect anyone. It is never too late to learn proper skills and procedures to perform in the event of an emergency.
Examples of trainings we offer:
- Stop the Bleed Training: Uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death after injury. Learning the initial steps to stop uncontrolled bleeding can increase a person's likelihood of survival until professional help arrives.
- Hands-Only CPR Training: Performing Hands-Only CPR when the heart stops beating or doesn’t beat effectively enough to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs increases the likelihood of surviving cardiac arrest. Learn more about cpr at erie.gov/cpr.
- Other Topics: PHEP can create emergency preparedness programs on a variety of topics and tailored to your organization. For more information, please contact the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness at (716) 858-7101.
Request a Public Health Preparedness Training Here
Emergency Preparedness Resources
Contact
Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH)
Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP)
500 Commerce Drive
Amherst, NY 14228
Phone: (716) 858-7101
Fax: (716) 858-7121
Email: phep@erie.gov