Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) means being ready for emergencies that affect people’s health. We help communities prevent problems, stay safe, respond fast, and recover. Being prepared means planning ahead, working together, and fixing problems when they happen.
This is how the Onondaga County Health Department helps keep our community safe and healthy:
Prevention: Prevention means stopping problems before they start. We watch for illness, share health tips, and check food, water, and other places to keep people healthy.
Protection: Protection means keeping people safe during health threats. We make sure medicine and supplies are ready, protect drinking water, and support people who need extra help during emergencies.
Mitigation: Mitigation means reducing harm when public health threats happen. We share clear health messages, work with community partners, and take steps to slow the spread of illness and reduce harm.
Response: Response means acting right away during an emergency. We follow our emergency plans, help stop the spread of disease, set up vaccine or medicine clinics, and send trained staff where they are needed.
Recovery: Recovery means helping the community heal and move forward. We reconnect with the community, clean up and fix affected areas, check on people’s health, and review what worked so we can be better prepared next time.
How You Can Prepare
Learn about the kinds of emergencies that can happen where you live and know how they could affect you and your family
