Public Health Emergency Preparedness

To report a Public Health Emergency, call 911. During Business hours, to reach the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Emergency Operations, call 651-201-5000 or 888-345-0823, or for TTY 651-201-5797.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness

Public Health Emergency Preparedness involves coordinating, planning, and communication with partner agencies, organizations, and the members of our community to understand potential threats and effective responses to various public health emergencies. 

Polk County Public Health is continually preparing to respond to public health emergencies including illness related to food or water, communicable disease outbreaks, as well as health related effects from natural or man-made disasters. This includes performing exercise for mass medication dispensing or vaccine administration in case of a local, regional, or statewide communicable disease outbreak. Polk County Public Health also works in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health to help assure essential services. 

Emergency Preparedness and You

  • The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has useful information regarding diseases and conditions, healthy living, travelers' health, emergency preparedness, as well as many other topics.
  • ECHO offers free 24/7 pre-recorded health information from the Minnesota Department of Health at 1-888-883-8831. It exists to ensure that people with limited English proficiency receive life-saving information. Visit ECHO Minnesota for more information. 
  • Minnesota Responds is a partnership that integrates local, regional, and statewide volunteer programs to assist our public health and healthcare systems during a disaster. It is part of a national initiative to coordinate and mobilize health volunteers to respond to emergencies. Whether you are licensed or certified in a health field, active, or retired, or a person with an interest in assisting in a health response, we invite you to register with Minnesota Responds. To sign up or for more information, visit Minnesota Responds.

Individual and Family Emergency Preparedness

The Minnesota Department of Health has a wealth of information regarding individual and family preparedness, as well as many other topics. You can also view the MDH Resources Brochure for People in Disaster, Emergency or Crisis Situations. 

Healthy Alert Network (HAN)

When an event threatens the health of Minnesotans, fast, efficient, and reliable communication to those responding to the event can prevent illness and save lives. MDH's "Health Alert Network" enables public health staff, health care providers, emergency workers, and others working to protect the public to exchange information during a disease outbreak, environmental threat, natural disaster, or act of terrorism with a method to communicate rapidly and effectively. Polk County Public Health receives such messages from MDH and distributes the information to community partners such as emergency planners, clinics, and hospitals.

Links