Dallas County Health Department

Response Plan for Disasters, Public Health Emergencies, and Pandemics

Local Public Health Emergency Plan
6 - Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

Bioterrorism: Use of biological agents for the purpose of mass casualties.  

DCHD:  Dallas County Health Department  

DHSS:  Department of Health & Senior Services  

Emergency Plan:  Plan of action in the event of a public health emergency.  

Emergency Response:  Action taken immediately following an identified emergency.  

LPHA: local public health agency  

LPHEP:  Local Public Health Emergency Plan  

Mitigation – A period of time when public health staff will undertake activities to improve the   capabilities of public health, or eliminate threats, in regards to potential local public health emergencies.  

Preparedness – A period of time when public health staff will undertake activities to improve the readiness of public health in regards to local public health emergencies.  

Response – A period of time when public health staff will respond to local public health emergencies.  

Recovery – A period of time when public health staff will provide for the welfare of the community and agency, and restore operations to normal after local public health emergencies.