Community Emergency Preparedness

In today's society, it has become more and more critical for local government to have a well developed plan of action to implement in time of emergency. Chisago County Public Health is striving to be ready to provide care for the community's needs. Our local plans are being developed in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chisago County Public Health is part of East Central Region Emergency Preparedness and active on the Chisago County Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee.

Chisago County Public Health is trained to respond or support our partners in responding to potential hazards including

  • A naturally occurring disease outbreak related to food
  • A naturally occurring communicable disease outbreak such as meningitis or an influenza pandemic
  • A chemical spill
  • A natural disaster such as a flood that might disrupt safe water supply
  • A intentional act designed to provoke fear or bring harm such as the release of anthrax during fall 2001
General Preparedness
Ready.gov
Make a plan or print various kits.
FEMA Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness
A booklet to help you get informed about local emergency plans, identify hazards that affect your local area, and develop and maintain an emergency communications plan and disaster supplies kit.
Natural Disasters
Floods, cold weather, extreme heat and wildfires all occur periodically in Minnesota
More Information on Natural Disasters
Disease Hazards
Bioterrorism basics, diseases that may be used to cause harm, and information for health professionals including infection control, laboratory testing, surveillance systems.
Bioterrorism
Some infectious diseases can cause widespread emergencies
Infectious Diseases and Conditions A to Z
Food and Drinking Water in Emergencies
Did you know that a flood, fire, national disaster, or the loss of power from high winds, snow, or ice could jeopardize the safety of your food? Knowing how to determine if food is safe and how to keep food safe will help minimize the potential loss of food and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Food Safety in Emergencies
Following natural disasters and other types of emergencies, drinking water in affected areas may become contaminated and cause outbreaks of disease. Problems with sanitation, including lack of water, toilet facilities, or damaged water wells can also increase the likelihood of waterborne disease
Drinking Water Safety in Emergencies

Keep Informed During an Emergency

Personal safety is always the most important priority in an emergency. If a disaster has occurred, listen to the radio, watch television news including Emergency and Community Health Outreach (ECHO), read local newspapers and talk with neighbors and local leaders at community meetings to stay informed.


Public Health Agencies

Emergency Planning

Preparing for an emergency, including a public health emergency, does not have to feel or be overwhelming. There are simple steps you can take to be prepared.

An important first step in personal preparedness is to talk with your family about a variety of emergencies and how each person in the family would handle an emergency.

View the family emergency plans webpage for helpful guides to develop your own personal emergency family plan and how you can get involved in your community's preparedness effort.