OUR PHILOSOPHY

The most basic and fundamental responsibility of government is to provide for the safety and welfare of its citizens, before, during and after major emergencies and disasters. Therefore an effective Public Health Preparedness / Emergency Operations program should always remain as one of the highest priorities of both elected and appointed officials within state and local government.

In order to be effective such a program must aggressively strive to:

• Anticipate all possibilities
• Consider all options
• Prepare for all contingencies
• Manage all eventualities
• Foster partnerships with all stakeholders

However, individual organizations and citizens must also accept responsibility to be aware of the risks involved from terrorist acts, disease outbreaks, natural or manmade disasters and other public health threats. They should also be prepared, within their own means and abilities, to take protective actions when necessary for their own safety, as well as that of their families, friends and property. Only through a proactive and systemic partnership within and between the public and private sectors can all the citizens of the state be best protected and served.