As local public health agencies nationwide work to protect the public from bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks, and other public health threats, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has recognized Okeechobee County Health Department for its ability to respond to public health emergencies. Okeechobee County Health Department was one of 14 local public health agencies recognized nationwide. Okeechobee County Health Department underwent reviews conducted by Project Public Health Ready, a unique partnership program between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

To gain recognition, Project Public Health Ready required Okeechobee County Health Department to achieve goals in three key areas: preparedness planning; individual worker competence; and demonstration of readiness through drills and exercises. The recognition confirms that Okeechobee County Health Department has an emergency response plan in place, the plan is appropriately connected to other emergency response plans, agency staff members are trained, and the plan is exercised and used during public health and other community emergencies. Additionally, agencies selected this year met a new standard requiring that emergency preparedness plans emphasize an all-hazards approach, instead of focusing on a single event or emergency.