Our goal at the Monroe County Health Department is to address public health needs and be prepared to respond in the event the county is impacted by a bioterrorism incident, natural disaster, infectious disease and disease outbreaks.

Health departments are working with federal, state and local agencies to develop emergency response plans to protect the public from a bioterrorism incident. Bioterrorism is the intentional use of a biological or chemical agent to harm or kill people. In the event of a biological incident, the local health department will be a lead agency and assist in the coordination and response efforts.

In the event of a natural disaster, health departments will assist first responders, such as firefighters, police and the Emergency Management Agency as needed, for such things as immunizations, food and water safety, and sanitation control. We will also serve as an information source to the public, providing important health and environmental information pertinent to the disaster.