Public Health Emergency Preparedness

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 Fatality

In a public health emergency that exceeds the community’s ability to manage human fatalities, the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness will coordinate with the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office and other community partners to effectively respond.

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.