Emergency Preparedness

This is a two-county program to develop plans and activities that increase Bradford and Union County's ability to prepare, respond, and mitigate man-made or natural disasters.

The Public Health Preparedness Program coordinates planning and program development for the Florida Department of Health in Bradford County (DOH-Bradford) and other local and state agencies to protect the public health of Florida’s citizens and visitors from the effects of manmade and naturally-occurring events. The goals of the program are to upgrade preparedness for and response to bioterrorism, outbreaks of infectious disease, and other public health threats and emergencies.

Project Public Health Ready

DOH-Bradford was recognized in 2010 by the National Association of County and City Health Officials' (NACCHO) for being Project Public Health Ready (PPHR). 

PPHR was developed by and for local health departments to enhance the ability of a county health department to protect the public's health before, during, and after an emergency or disaster. DOH-Bradford was re-recognized in 2015, and intends to apply for a third recognition in 2020. 

Project Ready sets national criteria for public health readiness under three main goals:

• All-Hazards Preparedness Planning
• Workforce Capacity Development
• Quality Improvement through Exercises and Real Event Response

The health department disaster preparedness and planning program is a two-county program to develop plans and activities that increase Bradford and Union County’s ability to prepare, respond and mitigate man-made or natural disasters. This program collaborates with local Emergency Management staff and Regional DOH staff to meet planning, training and exercise needs of health care workers in both the public and private sectors.

For more information on how to: Prepare Yourself 

Special Needs Shelter-SpNS

DOH-Bradford will provide limited support for residents with special medical needs at the Special Needs Shelter (SpNS) located at Starke Elementary when it is activated by Bradford County Emergency Management.

• The Bradford County SpNS is only an option of last resort and only for special medical needs individuals and their caretakers. It is not a preferred destination, but a refuge of last resort. Plan now and make local arrangements with family, friends, or church members to arrange a safe place should you need to leave your home.
  
  
• Is the Special Needs Shelter for you? The SpNS is a low acuity facility only. There will be no doctor, no acute care nurses, and no specialty care nurses at the shelter. You MUST be accompanied by a caretaker or family members to provide the care you need throughout your entire stay in the shelter. There is very little privacy and limited space. No pets will be admitted to the shelter unless they are registered service animals.
  
  
• What should you bring? 
  • Bring all of your medicine in labeled prescription bottles, a list of your medical conditions, and contact names and numbers for doctors, home health agency you use, and an emergency contact. Bring enough supplies to last for 72 hours in case the American Red Cross is unable to obtain food or supplies for shelter occupants.  Bring three (3) days’ worth of nonperishable foods, water to drink, clothing, personal hygiene items, and bedding.
  • The shelter will have a generator, but in case it fails, any occupants who require oxygen should bring with them their backup tank.
  • Other recommended items to bring include:  flashlight, batteries, books to read or other activities to stay occupied for an extended period, any personal comfort items, sweater or jacket, or portable radio.

How to apply

If you have no other options, and have simple medical problems requiring medicine or monitoring at certain times, you may qualify. 

For more information about utilizing the Special Needs Shelter and to register, contact the Bradford County Division of Emergency Management at 904-966-6336.