Public Health Planning & Preparedness

Prevent. Promote. Protect.

The Portage County Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program plans, responds, and aids in the recovery from threats to health including infectious disease, severe weather, and man-made disasters. We work with emergency responders, healthcare providers, individuals, families, businesses, community organizations, and schools to educate, prepare and protect residents and visitors.

Examples of public health emergencies include:

• Infectious Disease
• Severe Weather
• Food-borne Illness
• Natural Disasters

Steps to Take Before Disaster Happens

• Important Things to Know Before a Disaster
  • Visit the FEMA Website for more information.
• Be Aware, and sign up for emergency alerts.
• Make a Plan. All members of your household need to know the plan and where emergency supplies and documents are stored. Below are links to help you get prepared.
  • Emergency Preparedness Toolkit, Tools, and Resources
  • Preparedness for Expectant and New Parents
  • Department of Homeland Security

Emergency Procedures & Toolkits

• Flooding
• Extreme Heat
• Home Fires
• Severe Weather
• Winter Storms and Extreme Cold
• Pandemic

Get Involved!

• Become a Community Emergency Response Team member!
  • CERT educates individuals about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
  • Visit the FEMA Website for more information.
• Volunteer through United Way in the community.
  • Visit the Volunteers Rock Website to find events throughout Portage County.
• WEAVR is a web-based online registration system for Wisconsin's health professional volunteers willing to serve in an emergency. WEAVR is developed to facilitate health and medical response through the identification, credentialing, and deployment of volunteers.
  • Visit the WEAVR Website to become a part of the registry!

First Responder Safety

• First Responder Safety Memo (PDF)
• Fentanyl Safety Recommendations for First Responders (PDF)

Additional Resources

• Local
  • United Way 211 is just a call away and will connect you with community resources and opportunities to be prepared for any emergency.
• State
  • Get information and updates within the state of Wisconsin on emergency preparedness.
    • Ready Wisconsin Website
  • Find out about the coming flu season and best practices for avoiding getting sick.
    • Flu Wisconsin Website
  • Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) coordinates effective disaster response and recovery efforts in support of local governments.
  • Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Climate, and Health, safety tips: cold, drought, flooding, heat, and infection disease
    • For more information, visit the DHS Website.
• National
  • CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response
  • The Department of Homeland Security ensures that our Nation and its people are safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards.
    • U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • Prepare. Plan. Stay informed.
    • Ready Website
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency
• International
  • The World Health Organization is a trusted source of public health information around the world. Find out about health news and issues from around the world.