Public Health Emergency Preparedness

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Are you Getting Ready Preparedness Poster

Amanda Amodio, Preparedness Coordinator

The Somerset County Department of Health (SCDOH) is the lead county agency responsible for the coordination of Public Health response in emergencies.

The Somerset County Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Team works to promote planning, training, and coordination between public and private sector agencies to protect the health of the community during natural or manmade emergencies.
SCDOH facilitates public/private partnerships to participate in community health assessments and works to identify and address population-based health issues affecting Somerset County.

SCDOH can provide presentations regarding personal preparedness to community members, organizations, and businesses within our contract towns. If you are interested, please contact us.

Somerset County Emergency Resource List - Information for before and after emergencies for county resources, preparedness, utilities, animal health, disaster relief, mental health and crisis, and a listing of local health departments.

Be Prepared - Get a Kit. Make a Plan. Be Informed.

Emergencies can happen at any time. It's important to prepare for emergencies well in advance to protect you and your family.

Communication Plans

All family members should understand their family communication plan (including young children), and the plan should be adapted according to various emergency scenarios, including:

Communication plan for sheltering at home
Evacuation routes in the home
Evacuation plan to shelter at neighbors or local shelters
Locations of local shelters
Evacuation routes on roads

Emergency Supply Kit

Ensure the family’s emergency supply kit is easily accessible and includes the following items:

Minimum three-day supply of food and water
Personal care items
Bar or liquid soaps, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, and disinfecting wipes
Safety supplies such as electronics, flashlight, batteries, candles, flares
Medication
Important documents
First aid kit
Pet supplies
More information for older adults

Stay Informed

Sign up for local emergency alerts
- Somerset County Nixle
- Join the Somerset County LINCS Health Information & Alert Network - contact us and provide your name, organization and email address.
Tune into reliable news sources

Additional Safety Tips

Make sure your children know important phone numbers
Stay calm and help children cope with difficult emotions such as fear or confusion
Keep a blanket in your backpack or car to stay warm
Don’t forget your pets – take pictures if you’re separated, pack medicine and grooming items, and use a collar with an ID and a leash

Food Preparedness During Storms and Power Outages

Refrigerated or frozen foods may not be safe to eat after the loss of power. Learn what you can do to keep food safe during a power outage, and when you need to throw away food that can make you sick.

Eat Safe Food after a Power Outage
Prepare Your Food for a Storm Emergency - English & Spanish

Emergency Communications (LINCS)

LINCS Icon SCDOH serves as the Local Information Network Communication System (LINCS) agency for the County, connecting individuals and organizations with pertinent information related to disease outbreaks, food recalls, and disease surveillance reporting.

LINCS is a network of local health departments, public and private entities and organizations that work at the community level to protect the public's health. The system connects public health departments with hospitals, laboratories, emergency responders, medical providers, schools, and other community organizations to share information and improve response to public health incidents.

Communications are utilized to deliver important health-related messages to those within the LINCS network via email. Messages are prioritized by the following levels:

Public Health Alert
Public Health Advisory
Public Health Update
Public Health Info
Training
Recalls

If you're interested in joining the LINCS network, please contact us and provide your name, organization, and email address.

Medical Reserves Corps Volunteers

You can make a difference – local health, safety, and preparedness starts with you!

The Somerset County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Unit is actively recruiting community members to join a cadre of local volunteers from diverse backgrounds who work together to strengthen public health, build resilient communities, and respond to public health emergencies and natural disasters.

If you are interested in joining the Somerset County MRC unit or would like to learn more about the national network of MRC volunteers, please fill out the interest form below and a member of our leadership team will follow up with you.

Click here for the Somerset County MRC Volunteer Interest Survey!

You do not need a medical background to volunteer with the MRC. Community volunteers currently support a variety of local public health initiatives such as outreach and prevention efforts and immunization programs.

If you would like to become a part of the Somerset County Medical Reserve Corps or if you have additional questions, please contact the Health Department at mrc@co.somerset.nj.us or 908-231-7155.

More Resources:

Social Support Manual

Extreme Heat

Summer can bring extremely hot temperatures! It's important to prepare and stay safe during hot weather!

stay cool

Follow these guidelines to stay safe, healthy, cool and hydrated:

Wear appropriate clothing - choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible.
Try to limit your outdoor activity to when it's coolest, like morning or evening hours.
Cut down on exercise during the heat.
Wear sunscreen! Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated.
Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.
Drink more fluids, regardless of how active you are. Do not wait until you're thirsty to drink.
Make water your beverage of choice during extreme heat over soda to prevent dehydration.
Offer to help people in your neighborhood who may have limited access to air conditioning.
Take extra precaution with children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or special medical needs to ensure they don't get too hot.

More Resources:

Heat Safety Tips and Resources (Weather.gov)
Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness (CDC)
People at Increased Risk for Heat-Related Illness (CDC)
Extreme Heat Activity Book for Kids (CDC) - English & Spanish

Winter Weather

Winter can bring extremely cold temperatures. People must prepare to keep themselves, their families, and neighbors safe!

Follow these guidelines to stay safe, healthy and warm:

Try to stay indoors when the weather is extremely cold, especially if the winds are high.
If you must go outdoors, make trips outside as brief as possible.
Dress in layers of warm clothing if you plan to be outdoors.
Protect your head, neck, hands, and feet from the cold by wearing a hat, scarf, gloves and socks.
Offer to help people in your neighborhood who may have limited access to heat.
Check frequently on older adults and people who are ill.
During peak cold times, visit indoor public facilities such as shopping malls, libraries or senior centers, if you don't have enough heat in your home. Check that they are open before venturing outdoors. Warming/Cooling Centers in Somerset County
Do not leave pets outside.
If you use an outdoor generator at home, place it at least 20 feet away from all doors and windows to avoid exhaust gases entering the home.
Never use stoves, barbecues, or ovens in place of approved heaters such as electric, natural gas, or fireplaces.
Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to reduce the risk of poisoning.
Take extra precautions with children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or special medical needs to ensure they don't get too cold.

English & Spanish

More Resources: