Local Preparedness And Safety

LOCAL PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

We prepare for
community emergencies

The Health Department assesses community vulnerabilities and plans for, responds to, and helps our counties recover from disasters that have the potential to affect the health of people. The types of emergencies that the health department prepares for and responds to include natural disasters, man-made accidents, disease epidemics or pandemics, or acts of terrorism involving chemical, biological, or radiological devices.

In the event of an emergency, you may see health department staff providing the following services to the community:

Shelters

The health department environmental health staff and epidemiologists work with the American Red Cross to operate local shelters when needed.
In 2022, the health department operated X no of shelters locally. X due to house fires. Sample.

Nurses

The health department coordinates the deployment of nursing staff to different areas of the state when called upon.
From 2022-2023, the health department deployed X no of local nurses to X amount of emergencies across Georgia.

Health Testing, Medication Dispensing and Vaccination Sites

In the event of an outbreak or other health-related emergency, the health department operates Point of Dispensing Sites known as PODS to ensure individuals affected by a health-related emergency are quickly identified, treated, or offered immunizations.

How we prepare for emergencies

GNR Public Health staff receive ongoing training to ensure the health and wellness of the community in the event of a disaster, including exercises that simulate potential health-related emergencies.

Our health department works closely with local, state and federal partners such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), Georgia Emergency Management Association (GEMA), State of Georgia Department of Public Health, local hospitals, Fire, Emergency Management Services (EMS), police, local hospitals, and volunteer groups such as the Medical Reserve Corps.

In addition, the department works with hospitals to develop contingency plans for when emergencies create more patients that they can treat and develop plans to provide large-scale vaccination operations, like we provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency shelter operations, and ongoing community education.

Are you ready for an emergency?

Click on an icon to learn more about what steps to take if any of these disasters strike.

Tornados

Severe Weather

Radiation Emergencies

Pandemic

Chemical Releases

Biohazard Exposures

FIres

Start preparing for unexpected event today

Visit ready.gov to learn the steps you need to take to ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared when disaster strikes.

Emergency Kits, not just for preppers

Every person should have an emergency kit in their home and car. Learn what items you’ll need to ensure your well-being.

Volunteer for MRC-GEM

MRC-GEM welcomes anyone who has a desire to assist their community in times of crisis, including non-medical professionals.

The Medical Reserve Corps of Gwinnett Emergency Management is a volunteer organization that trains medical and non-medical volunteers to participate in emergency responses with no minimum commitment other than completing basic emergency response training.

Once trained, members of MRC-GEM will be contacted to support GNR Public Health in the event of an emergency.

We are part of Region-D Healthcare Coalition

GNR Public Health is part of a network of healthcare organizations, providers and regional partners committed to strengthening our healthcare system to ensure that it will be best prepared to respond during times of need. Region-D covers eight metro-Atlanta counties: Clayton, DeKalb, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale.