The Bureau of Emergency and Trauma Services Emergency Preparedness Program works with Iowa's local public health departments and hospitals to ensure they have the resources to be able to respond to a a public health emergency. Some of our initiatives include grants management, maintenance, storage, and deployment of resources and assets, developing emergency plans and operational procedures, manage, maintain, and coordinate the IDPH Emergency Coordination Center, and plan, track, and document response activities.
The preparedness program in Iowa started in 2002 as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the anthrax threats the following year. A public health congress was held that summer and 98 of 99 local public health agencies were represented. The purpose of the congress was to establish goals, objectives and strategies for a new public health preparedness program in Iowa. The outcome was the beginning of a shared system infrastructure that continues to this day with Iowa's local Health Care Coalitions.
Take a look at the different programs on the left side of this page to see the work we do to Promote and Protect the Health of Iowans.