Preparedness

The Canton City Health Department, in support of Homeland Security, is actively working on Preparedness Plans to protect the citizens of the City of Canton and its visitors from the effects of manmade and naturally-occurring events.  The purpose of this planning is to prepare us to respond quickly and efficiently to a wide range of disasters such as acts of terrorism, severe weather conditions, infectious disease outbreaks and other public health threats and emergencies.

The Canton City Health Department is working closely with the other health departments in Stark County as well as our hospitals, EMA, law enforcement, fire departments, schools, Red Cross and other related agencies in the development of these plans.  It is essential that we maintain close communication with these partners in order to best serve our public.

One key aspect of our preparedness efforts is providing accurate and timely educational information regarding current health issues.  It is important that our citizens also be prepared in the case of a terrorist attack or natural disaster.

In order to address the growing concern of the H1N1 flu virus, our Health Commissioner has initiated a Canton H1N1 Planning Steering Committee which is currently meeting weekly.  The purpose of the Canton H1N1 Planning Steering Committee is to complete H1N1 flu and seasonal flu operational plans for the City of Canton by October 1, 2009.

The Canton City Health Department follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for our planning and educational purposes.

2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Information Statements:

Inactivated 2009 H1N1 Influenza

Live, Intranasal 2009 H1N1 Influenza

Links of Interest

Stark County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant - Stark County PHEP Grant
Stark County Medical Reserve Corps - http://www.starkhealth.org/smrc/smrc.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - www.cdc.gov

FEMA: Plan for Emergencies - http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/plan.shtm

FEMA: Prepare for Disaster - http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm

FEMA: Pets and Disasters - http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/animals.shtm

FEMA: Individuals with Special Needs – http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/specialplans.shtm  

Are you Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness - http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/

Ready – Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed - www.ready.gov

Know What to do About the Flu - www.flu.gov

Ohio Department of Health – www.odh.ohio.gov      

American Red Cross - www.redcross.org
American Red Cross - Stark County Chapter - www.stark.redcross.org 

Stark County District Library – www.starklibrary.org