Dallas County Health Department

Response Plan for Disasters, Public Health Emergencies, and Pandemics

Local Public Health Emergency Plan
7 - Basic Plan
III - Concept of Operations       

A.        General Information  

• 1.         It is the responsibility of the local public health agency (LPHA) to provide for a local public health emergency.  When the local public health emergency exceeds the ability of the LPHA to handle the situation, the Dallas County Health Department will coordinate with the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, Springfield/Greene County Health Department, local physicians and Dallas County Emergency Management to address the needs of the community. The LPHA Administrator shall be responsible for implementing the LPHEP in collaboration with the Dallas County Emergency Management Director.  

• 2.         The county emergency plan shall be included as an appendix to the LPHEP and referred to as appropriate or necessary.  

• 3.         Staff and any group included in the plan will be briefed on the entire plan.  Training will be provided to staff and others to assist them in their emergency response responsibilities.  

• 4.         This plan will be exercised as needed to test specific parts of the plan according to established guidelines.  

• 5.         The Board of Health Department of Dallas County, Missouri.  Having been created by vote of the people of Dallas County, Missouri in accordance with Sections 205.010 to 205.150 revised statues of Missouri, 1953, as amended by Missouri Election laws 1978, of the 66th General Assembly of Missouri do hereby establish these bylaws for their guidance and for operation of the Dallas Co Health Department.   

• 6.         In the event of a public health emergency, day-to-day routine operations of DCHD shall be suspended as deemed appropriate by the Administrator.  

• 7.         Emergency operation of DCHD will be conducted at the local office located at 1011 W. Dallas Buffalo, MO or through the EOC located in the 140 E. Dallas Buffalo, MO.  The Administrator or EPHS will act as liaison to the local emergency management agency if the EOC is activated.  

• 8.         In the event of a terrorism incident, the LPHA will coordinate public health assistance with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.                                

B.        Operation Time Frames  

• This plan addresses all phases of emergency management concerning a local public health emergency.  The following operational time frames are established to accomplish various tasks within public health.  

• 1.      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.  

• 2.   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.  

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

• 4.  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.