Emergency Preparedness and Response Service
The purpose of this service is a timely and productive response
to public health challenges through planning, practicing and
preparing for both man made and natural disasters.
Exercises are conducted with all available county agencies,
state agencies and local resources to help us be prepared
to respond promptly to any disaster. Working together to
keep Washington County safe.
September is National Preparedness Month 
This September: You Can Be the Hero
Oklahoma is no stranger to emergencies that might cause residents to be self-reliant for three days or more without utilities and electricity, water service, access to the grocery or convenience store, or in some cases, immediate response from police, fire or rescue. Disasters disrupt lives and may well mean temporarily providing for your own shelter, first aid, food, water and sanitation.
This year’s annual National Preparedness Month observance in September encourages all individuals to make an emergency preparedness plan in advance of a disaster that includes putting together an emergency supply kit; planning how to communicate with family members after an emergency strikes; staying informed about what to do before, during and after an emergency; and getting involved to make sure your community is ready for emergencies.
“Preparedness is a shared responsibility; it takes a whole community,” said Sharon Griffin, Local Emergency Response Coordinator. “Winging it is not an emergency plan!”
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) provides an easy-to-use template for creating your own family emergency plan. Start protecting your family today by downloading, printing and completing the Family Emergency Preparedness Plan Workbook. When preparing for disasters, it is also important to identify those persons who may have special needs such as infants and young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with weakened immune systems or chronic health impairments, or those that do not speak English as their primary language.
Be sure to discuss your family emergency preparedness plan with all of your loved ones to ensure that everyone knows what to do when disaster strikes.
