The Douglas County Health Department’s Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Division plays a crucial role in protecting our community’s health during emergencies. EPR staff work closely with local, regional, and state partners, including the Douglas County Office of Emergency Management, to plan, train, and prepare for a wide range of public health threats, from pandemics and bioterrorism to wildfires and extreme weather events.
Through regular training, drills, and full-scale exercises, EPR ensures that public health systems are ready to respond quickly and effectively in an emergency. These efforts strengthen not only the health department’s own response capabilities, but also support and enhance the county’s overall emergency response efforts.
Using an all-hazards approach, EPR focuses on early risk identification, mitigation strategies, and coordinated action. By collaborating proactively with emergency management, healthcare partners, and the broader community, EPR helps build a response system that is unified, adaptable, and resilient before, during, and after disasters.
The Douglas County Health Department EPR Division has practical tips for preparing for a natural disaster or emergency. You can take steps to have peace of mind that you are ready for an unexpected event. Protect your health. Prepare your household. Be ready.
Build an emergency kit for your home, work, and car to be prepared for emergencies. Collect basic disaster supplies, and consider including additional supplies according to your family’s needs.
Create an emergency plan that involves your family, pets, and neighbors. Consider the unique needs your family has, including dietary and medical needs, pets, and responsibilities for assisting others. Include where you might shelter, how you will communicate, evacuation routes, ways to stay informed and receive alerts, and how to safeguard important documents.
If you have access or functional needs consider registering for the voluntary Access and Functional Needs Registry (AFN). The AFN is a database containing information about individuals in Douglas County with functional needs who may require assistance in the event of a disaster. This information may be used to assist emergency personnel and volunteers in providing assistance.
Learn more and get practice tips from the Douglas County Office of Emergency Management (OEM).
If you have pets or livestock, include them in your family’s emergency plan. Learn about unique pet and animal considerations in emergency planning from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Stay aware and informed of hazards in your area:
Review your plan with family or caregivers, and practice a home evacuation Discuss your plan with neighbors, relatives, and anyone who might be involved in an emergency.
Consider participating in Douglas County’s Citizen Disaster Preparedness Workshop on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 and Tuesday, September 23, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Registration is required, and spaces are limited. All participants will receive a copy of “How to Prepare for Everything” by Aaron Titus.
Stay aware of local seasonal weather hazards using NOAA’s all season weather safety tips. Get forecast and safety information for a wide range of weather-related hazards.
Did you know… heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year? Heat can lead to heat-related illnesses or make existing health conditions worse. While anyone can be impacted by heat, some people are more vulnerable:
Check in with friends and relatives who are more vulnerable to extreme heat, especially if they don’t have air conditioning.
It is NEVER safe to leave a child, disabled person or pet locked in a car, even in the winter. Heat-related death can occur in minutes to hours, depending on the temperature outside the car. Caregivers are recommended to lock all cars, even in the driveway, if a toddler or child is nearby to prevent them from entering a car. Learn more about heat-related deaths in children in the United States.
The EPR division supports families in all stages of life in preparing for emergencies. Older adults can learn more about how to prepare for disaster using the FEMA Disaster Preparedness Guide for Older Adults. Parents and caregivers can help children understand and prepare for emergencies with downloadable Prepare with Pedro games and activity books.
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