County Emergency Response Plans
Clark County Public Health's Preparedness Unit coordinates with other local health jurisdictions in Public Health Region IV (Cowlitz, Skamania, Wahkiakum, Klickitat counties and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe) during emergencies.
Emergency response plan
Public Health’s emergency response plan below, describes how we will respond to public health emergencies in our communities. In addition, Public Health, with other emergency response partners, helps organizations, businesses, schools and others develop response plans specific to their needs.
Public Health’s Community-wide Pandemic Influenza Plan is coordinated with federal efforts led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state efforts led by Washington State Department of Health.
Public Health works with Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) to make sure that the county’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) is well coordinated with the emergency plans for other agencies and organizations in our community. CRESA maintains the CEMP which delegates emergency management responsibilities among county agencies and their partners.
Dispensing medications
During an emergency, Public Health may open temporary medication centers, also called Points of Dispensing (PODs) to quickly provide medications or vaccinations to the public. Public Health works with school districts and other organizations to identify facilities that can be used as POD sites.
The Region IV Public Health Mass Prophylaxis Point of Dispensing (POD) Field Operations Guides (FOGs) provide guidance on how to operate and staff a POD.
- POD Operations Overview, POD Set-up and Staffing - July 2014
If your organization is interested in helping dispense emergency medications to your clients, employees and employees’ families, please join our regional Push Partner Registry. Large businesses and agencies serving people who might have difficulty getting to a POD are especially encouraged to sign up.