Lewiston - As local health departments nationwide strive to protect the public from new and infectious diseases, bioterrorism, natural disasters, and other public health threats, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has recognized Public Health - Idaho North Central District for its ability to respond to public health emergencies.Public Health - Idaho North Central District met the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“We are exceptionally proud to have been recognized by Project Public Health Ready for our high level of preparedness. This recognition is a significant achievement that required a lot of work by a very dedicated public health staff along with community partners throughout North Central Idaho,” said Carol Moehrle, Director of Public Health - Idaho North Central District.
“North Central Idaho is a leader in emergency preparedness-in public health, in public safety, and in other disciplines. Still, the most important factor in determining whether we succeed in responding to an emergency will be the actions of our citizens in advance planning, cooperating with authorities, and helping each other in a time of duress,” stated Moehrle.
“NACCHO commends Public Health - Idaho North Central District for being a model of public health emergency preparedness,” said Robert Pestronk, Executive Director of NACCHO. “The public health system is making great strides thanks to the good work of leaders in local public health preparedness such as Public Health - Idaho North Central District.”
Local health departments recognized by PPHR undergo a thorough evaluation process by peer review. PPHR required Public Health - Idaho North Central District to meet expectations in public health preparedness in three key areas: preparedness planning; workforce competency; and demonstration of all-hazards readiness through exercises or a response to a real event. The recognition confirms that North Central District has an emergency response plan in place, the plan is connected to other jurisdictional emergency response plans, agency staff members are trained, and the plan is exercised and used during public health emergencies.
The mission of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) is to be a leader, partner, catalyst, and voice for local health departments in order to ensure the conditions that promote health and equity, combat disease, and improve the quality and length of all lives.
For more information on all Project Public Health Ready recognized sites and project tools and resources, go to http://www.naccho.org/topics/emergency/pphr.cfm.
Idaho North Central District’s Public Health Preparedness (PHP) program focuses include planning, workforce competency conducting disaster exercises, and creating community partnerships to ensure that the counties of Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce are prepared to respond to any public health emergency, whether it is a communicable disease outbreak, food or waterborne illness, natural disaster, or an act of terrorism.
For further information on Public Health - Idaho North Central District’s Public Health Preparedness, please visit www.idahopublichealth.com.