Public Health Emergency Preparedness Division assesses and helps to improve the community’s ability to prepare for and respond to a public health emergency whether it is natural or man-made. JCHD emergency preparedness staff works with government agencies and community partners to ensure that the community is doing everything that can be done to mitigate — or reduce — the risk of harm from an emergency, to prepare for an effective response when an emergency occurs, and to recover as quickly as possible.

​

Assisting the Emergency Preparedness division is the Medical Reserve Corps; a select group of trained volunteers who support the response of the health department when an emergency occurs.  MRC volunteers represent many areas of expertise, with interest in strengthening local public health system and providing help in emergencies.  MRC volunteers are not first responders, but rather assist & support existing community response resources.