Health Department

KCHD’s Emergency Preparedness Department collaborates with the Knoxville/Knox County emergency management agency, emergency medical services, fire departments, law enforcement, and other community and state response agencies. These partnerships aim to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of both man-made and natural disasters.

The Emergency Preparedness Department focuses on:

1. Development of Response Plans: Comprehensive plans that outline procedures and actions to be taken during emergencies.
2. Community Exercises: Participation in exercises and simulations to ensure that all involved parties are well-prepared and can effectively respond in a real emergency.
3. Training: Provide and participate in training for emergency responders and other stakeholders to enhance their skills and readiness.
4. Education: Offering educational programs and resources to the community to raise awareness and promote preparedness among residents.
5. Public Health Surveillance: Monitoring and analyzing health data to detect potential threats early and respond promptly.
6. Resource Coordination: Ensuring that necessary resources, such as medical supplies and personnel, are available and can be deployed during an emergency.
7. Communication Systems: Establishing and maintaining robust communication networks to disseminate information quickly and accurately to both the public and response teams.
8. Vulnerable Populations: Implementing strategies to support vulnerable groups, including the elderly, disabled, and economically disadvantaged, during emergencies.

Through these comprehensive efforts, KCHD’s Emergency Preparedness Department strives to build a resilient community capable of effectively handling disasters and safeguarding public health.

The Knox/East Tennessee Healthcare Coalition is a network of health care organizations, providers and regional partners that are committed to strengthening the health care system in preparation for emergencies. For more information, visit KET (Knoxville / East Tennessee) Healthcare Coalition.