The North Central District Health Department’s (NCDHD) Public Health Preparedness Plan and annexes provide details of NCDHD’s response strategy to a natural or manmade disaster, communicable disease outbreak, or other public health emergency. NCDHD has embraced the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to include the Incident Command System (ICS) and embedded both NIMS and ICS in our planning, training, and exercising efforts. The dynamics of public health emergency response require continual planning. At a minimum, the NCDHD plan is reviewed and revised annually. If directives or events indicate a need to provide focused training or to make more frequent changes to the NCDHD plan, it is revised accordingly.
In line with federal response strategies, NCDHD takes an all hazards approach to emergency preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery operations. Our emergency response program has been designed to work in tandem with first response agencies and other partner organizations in Health District 2. Our plan is also designed to complement the emergency response plans of governing state agencies such as Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security (IBHS) and Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW).
The Public Health Preparedness staff provides education, training, and information on individual and family preparedness. Additionally, health department staff work with public safety and response organizations. Community involvement in any emergency situation is critical to regaining the quality of life we have come to enjoy in Idaho.